The supermajority of Republicans in Tenn. Statehouse remains unchanged, but Democrats aren't backing down

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee's Republican majority in the Legislature will remain unchanged after Democrats failed to flip seats in a handful of contests, but the minority party hasn't given up ground either.

Unofficial election results show Republicans will continue to hold 75 of the 99 seats in the House, the same amount the GOP held before Tuesday. Over in the Senate, Republicans will have 27 members while Democrats will still only have six.

“Last night, (Tennessee) gave Republicans from the State House to the White House a historic mandate to pursue conservative policies that benefit workers and families,” Republican Rep. Jeremy Faison, the House GOP leader, wrote in the social media. “The Democrats have been sent home and have not gained an inch in an overwhelming defeat.”

Some Democratic officials expressed relief that their numbers did not decline as Republicans made major gains across the country, with former President Donald Trump winning a second term and Republicans gaining control of the U.S. Senate. In Tennessee, Trump and Republican U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn increased their margins to nearly 30 percentage points, surpassing their previous statewide elections.

“It may not look like progress,” said Rep. John Ray Clemmons, chairman of the House Democratic Caucus. “But in this environment and given the national political headwinds we faced at the top of the race, holding the line was truly remarkable.”

Democrats had invested heavily in Allie Phillips' attempt to flip a Republican-controlled House seat north of Nashville. Phillips gained national notoriety when she shared on social media that she was unable to obtain an abortion in Tennessee due to a non-viable pregnancy due to the state's abortion ban and was forced to travel to Washington, D.C. to receive the medical care that she needed.

But despite the boost from national media coverage, Republican Rep. Jeff Burkhart won re-election by nearly 10 percentage points.

Over in Nashville, Democrat Shaundelle Brooks won an open House seat, defeating Republican Chad Bobo. Republicans had been trying to gain ground in the Democratic district in Tennessee's liberal-leaning capital, but Brooks held a nearly eight-point lead over Bobo on Wednesday.

Brooks' son Akilah DaSilva was among four people killed and two injured in a mass shooting at a Nashville Waffle House in 2018. The tragedy gave Brooks impetus for his advocacy for gun control in a state with lax firearms laws.

On the other hand, Democrats were unable to shake off Republican control around Memphis, as Republican Rep. John Gillespie was re-elected by four points over Democrat Jess Huseth.

With the Republican supermajority intact, Republican Gov. Bill Lee and legislative leaders wasted no time in once again preparing to implement a universal school voucher program in Tennessee. On Wednesday, Lee and other key lawmakers unveiled a proposal that outlines a voucher policy that would allow families to use public money for private school tuition.

Lee had floated a comprehensive voucher proposal earlier this year, but internal Republican disagreements over how exactly to implement the policy led the governor to abandon the idea.

It is unclear whether he will achieve more consensus in 2025. Lee took the extra step of supporting Republican school choice advocates in the August primary, and neither of those candidates lost Tuesday.

In neighboring Kentucky, voters on Tuesday decisively rejected a voucher-style ballot measure that would allow state lawmakers to allocate public tax dollars to support students attending private or charter schools.

Separately, Tennessee voters approved several ballot initiatives ranging from gun control to public transportation improvements.

In Memphis, voters approved a non-binding ballot measure aimed at requiring a permit to carry a handgun, banning the ownership of AR-15 rifles and establishing a so-called red flag ordinance that would allow law enforcement officers to remove firearms from them to remove it is determined that there is an imminent danger to yourself or others.

While the measure was before voters, city officials and other supporters acknowledged it would not take effect without the support of the Tennessee Legislature, which has rejected nearly all of its provisions.

In Nashville, voters approved a $3.1 billion transportation proposal that supporters say will improve the city's bus system, sidewalks and traffic signals. Under the plan, Davidson County — which includes Nashville — will increase its sales tax by half a cent to fund public transit improvements.

“What Nashvillians can look forward to are sidewalks that connect, traffic lights that are smart enough to keep as much traffic moving as possible, a transportation system that makes sense and is convenient when you need it, and streets with improved “Security” for the first time in decades,” Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell said in a statement.