In Tennessee, the special election for a vacant congressional seat is expected to be more competitive in a district that has been heavily Republican for years.
MICHEL MARTIN, HOST:
After Democrats won elections this month in New Jersey, Virginia and Pennsylvania, the party is now planning a race in Tennessee. The special congressional election is for a district that has been solidly Republican for decades but has now become more competitive. Early voting is already underway. So Marianne Bacallao, a member of Nashville radio station WPLN, went to the polls to connect with voters.
MARIANNE BACCALLAO, BYLINE: City Hall in Pegram, Tennessee, overlooking U.S. 70 and the nearby Dollar General, has opened its doors as an early voting site. It is one of many counties in the state's 7th Congressional District holding a special election that ends Dec. 2. Here in Cheatham County, President Trump won with 72% of the vote last year.
Trump endorsed Republican congressional candidate Matt Van Epps. Some voters say they voted for the former state commissioner because…
PAM: There's a lot of work to be done because a lot of work wasn't done four years ago.
MICHAEL: Making sure President Trump has the support he needs to implement his agenda.
JEFF: I just like moral values. I like to get away from the issues of transgenderism and homosexuality, and I like people who support Trump's path to development of the country.
BACALLAO: It was Pam, Michael and Jeff. All three declined to give their last names because they wanted to keep their elections confidential. But not everyone in Cheatham County is happy.
BECKY: I don't know how you could tell that food prices or anything else are going down unless you've been to the grocery store. Everything is more expensive.
BACCALLAO: This is Becky, who also wanted to keep her last name a secret. She says she voted for Democratic congressional candidate Aftin Ben because she worries about her daughter, who just graduated from college.
BECKY: And she has no chance of living on her own. Everything is expensive.
BACALLAO: She's not alone. Affordability is a top priority for Nashville voters, along with…
ABRAHAM GARCIA OTEGA: Security, money, jobs.
JASMINE PATTERSON: Housing.
ORTEGA: Inflation is outrageous, you know?
BACALLAO: It was Abraham Garcia Ortega and Jasmine Patterson. They also voted for Ben, a state legislator. She and Van Epps are vying for the seat left open by the retirement of Rep. Mark Green. Although Greene has held office since 2019, his unexpected retirement could present Democrats with new opportunities.
This month, the nonpartisan Cook Political Report changed its rating for the 7th Congressional District from “solidly Republican” to “likely Republican.” State GOP Chairman Scott Golden says he's focused on turnout at a time when many voters may be traveling or hosting for the holidays.
SCOTT GOLDEN: Every time there's a special election around Thanksgiving, you can't afford to take the day off. You know, I think if there's a concern, it's just that people don't know that they have the opportunity to vote right now.
BACCALLAO: Recent victories for Democrats across the country could also help give their candidate momentum, even in a district that has been a Republican stronghold for decades. Tennessee Democratic Party Chairwoman Rachel Campbell says Ben's emphasis on accessibility, as well as food costs, could give her an edge.
RACHEL CAMPBELL: I believe we're winning because we're focused on the real issues that families face, not just in Tennessee, but across the country.
BACCALLAO: A recent NPR/PBS News/Marist poll found that nationwide, nearly 6 in 10 respondents say Trump's top priority should be lowering prices – and no other issue comes close. Trump is unpopular nationwide, with an approval rating of 39%. However, his base is still strong in Tennessee. For NPR News, I'm Marianne Bacallao in Nashville.
(SOUNDBITE OF ALL THE WITCHES' “MELLOWING”)
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