Tennessee
Outlook: Solid Democratic
November 8, 2006 Update:
As the Crystal Ball predicted, Democrat Phil Bredesen won re-election over Republican Jim Bryson with 69% of the vote.
August 4, 2006 Update:
Freshman State Senator Jim Bryson handily captured the little-desired GOP nomination for Governor in an August 3rd primary. It will be his last victory of the year. Popular Democratic Governor Phil Bredesen is a solid favorite for a second term in November.
Background
The Volunteer State has been trending clearly Republican since the 1990s, but there is an exception to every rule. Tennessee’s exception is Democratic Governor Phil Bredesen, a solid bet for reelection in 2006.
It is quite revealing that several top-level Republicans are elbowing each other to get the GOP nomination for retiring Senator Bill Frist‘s seat, but no heavyweight or even middleweight is in the hunt for the slot opposing Bredesen.