Not Much Election Turnover from Tuesday
Tuesday this week saw Gov. Bill Lee easily win reelection for a second term. He won roughly 65% of the vote and carried all but two counties in the state. He continues a long trend of governors, regardless of their political party, being elected to a second term. After the state constitution was amended in 1978 to allow governors to serve two four-year terms, each governor elected since that time has done so.
In his victory speech Tuesday night, Lee stated that infrastructure will be a major priority of his second term. This is welcome news to county officials, especially highway superintendents. Highway departments in particular struggled with revenue losses during the pandemic and have been hammered by inflationary cost increases in fuel and materials ever since. Increased investment in transportation by the state government will be greatly appreciated.
Also on the ballot Tuesday night were all state House members and half the State Senate. Many legislators faced no opposition or only token opposition in November with most of the competitive battles having occurred in the state primary elections in August. While there will be some new faces in the General Assembly, there was little change in the composition of the body.
The one incumbent to lose a seat in the legislature this week was long-time state Representative John Mark Windle of Overton County. In Shelby County, recently deceased Representative Barbara Cooper was reelected by the voters of her district. After her passing in late October, her name remained on the ballot in accordance with state law. The vacancy created by this result will be filled in a special election to be called by the Governor.
For full, unofficial election results of Tuesday's election, please visit the TN Secretary of State's website.
