18 races to follow for the 2018 midterms

4. Tennessee

Candidates: Republican challenger Marsha Blackburn vs. Democratic challenger Phil Bredesen

Earlier this year, Senator Bob Corker, a longtime Republican representing the state of Tennessee, announced that he would no longer seek re-election in the upcoming 2018 midterms. That meant a seat previously assumed to be practically made for a GOP candidate suddenly came into question. For, like many places in the United States, the deep-red state of Tennessee might be turning a shade of purple. If nothing else, things are starting to get pretty complex.

With Corker’s announcement, six Republicans and one Democrat stepped in to stake their claim. With a crowded primary field, it wasn’t initially clear who, exactly, would step in to take over the GOP flag previously borne by Corker. That turned out to be Representative Marsha Blackburn, who is currently representing the state’s 7th Congressional District.

Democratic Phil Bredesen, meanwhile, had a relatively easy primary season, given that he was running unopposed. As a former governor of Tennessee, he was already familiar with the politics of his state, though it took some coaxing from his party associates for him to finally join the race.

For Republicans in particular, this race is going to be tense. This seat will help them ensure a majority vote in the Senate. In the same vein, a Democratic win could lead them to unseat the Republican power hold on Congress.

So, who are the actual voters going to pick? Right now, it’s still pretty unclear. Blackburn has presented herself as a tried and true conservative who’s ready to go with Trump’s policies. If elected, she would also become the first female senator from Tennessee, though it’s not sure that such milestones would truck with Republican voters. Then again, Bredesen could ride in on a wave of discontent engendered in part by a divisive Republican president.

Campaign website for Marsha Blackburn: https://www.marshablackburn.com/
Campaign website for Phil Bredesen: https://www.bredesen.com/