With fewer than 100 days left until the election, both state Republicans and Democrats are narrowing down their election maps to key seats where they see opportunities to add members to the General Assembly next year. Republicans, who already dominate most seats outside of Nashville and Memphis, have limited opportunities to expand their caucus. Democrats, on the other hand, see seats in several key areas as potentially up for grabs.
The addition of Signal Mountain to the list of seats where Democrats see potential reflects a trend of more moderate Republicans losing primaries to more conservative candidates. Democrats are positioning themselves with local candidates who have name recognition and popularity to overcome party identification in key races.
Both parties are keeping their election plans close to the vest, with hopes of not tipping off their strategies to the other party. Conservative credentials and support for private school vouchers have been defining factors in Republican primary races, while the November general election is likely to be heavily influenced by the presidential campaign.
Republicans are keen on regaining a foothold in Nashville, where they have been shut out of the Senate and House in recent years due to tensions with city leaders over various issues. The retirement of a key Democrat in southeast Nashville has given Republicans hope of flipping a seat in Davidson County, adding more weight to their efforts in the state capitol.
Ultimately, the election will come down to a mix of local issues and national party politics, with both parties vying for key seats to secure their positions in the General Assembly.
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