SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. — Voters go to the polls Tuesday in a special House election that could serve as a political bellwether for Tennessee.
Republicans last year gained majorities in both chambers of the Tennessee General Assembly for the first time in 140 years. But their advantage in the House was a single seat, and the chamber was cast into turmoil when one Republican sided with all 49 Democrats to be elected speaker.
The House District 62 election pits Republican Pat Marsh, the co-founder of Shelbyville-based trucking company Big G Express against Democrat Ty Cobb, a UPS driver and brother of the last person to hold the seat that represents all of Bedford County, most of Lincoln County and parts of Rutherford County.
Republicans hope a win would cement their majority in the chamber and give notice that more historically Democratic seats could be endangered when all 99 House members stand for election next year.
State Democrats, meanwhile, have made winning back the House their top objective — a task that would become all the more difficult if Cobb fails.
Republicans hold a comfortable 19-14 majority in the Senate, so who controls the House will have a major effect on redistricting of legislative and congressional seats following the 2010 census.
Given the high stakes of the special election, both parties have been pouring resources into the race and leading attacks on their opponent’s credentials.
http://www.timesnews.net/article.php?id=9017564Gore did relatively well there in 2000, getting 48% or so. Kerry 38% and Obama 30%.
The last guy to hold the seat was the brother of the Democrat who is now running and won the district with 55% last year.
