TN-9: Republican state Rep. Todd Warner is in, challenging state Sen. Brent Taylor for the nomination. He was under investigation for misusing taxpayer funds, which caused former state Rep. Glen Casada to go to prison in the same case.
Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen is considering reelection, while state Rep. Justin J. Pearson is in.
Now, Democratic state Sen. London Lamar is also running. She thinks Pearson should switch to the 5th, where he lives. Current Democrats running there include Columbia mayor Chaz Molder and Nashville councilman Mike Cortese, who will likely switch to the 4th under the new map.
Why is she disgraced, or why is she running? I can't answer the latter, but she has plenty of scandals that plagued her previous congressional campaign.
I really just don’t get how we are trailing in Michigan. Rogers lost in the last cycle in a much worse environment for us, Slotkin was a strong candidate but not so much stronger that she’d perform 10+ points better relative to the environment than the people we have this year.
TN-7: A trio of Democrats, including Nashville councilman Jacob Kupin, state Rep. Vincent Dixie and businessman Darden Copeland will run here. Dixie ran but dropped out when the old map was still in place. Dixie and Copeland also ran for this district when it held a special election last year.
A lot of Tennessee news this morning, huh? The Memphis city council unanimously voted to reject the new congressional map, which means absolutely nothing.
NC-5: Longtime Republican Rep. Virginia Foxx is in hot water for talking down to a 4th grader that wrote her a letter.
The 10 year old wrote to her suggesting a $5 thousand tax rebate for EVs. Foxx said this was "sad" and encouraged him to "ask his teachers about propaganda."
Foxx's district, usually in rural Appalachia, was drawn to include the bulk of Greensboro, a large blue city, in 2024.
If Foxx's challenger has a good GOTV effort and hits her on high gas prices and tariffs, they may have a shot. The awful letter she sent (likely written by a staffer) isn't going to endear her to voters in Guilford County either.
Especially her screaming "shut up" at a press conference. Out of all the NC Congressional Republicans, I want her and that cheating scumbag Mark Harris out the most.
More Tennessee news: most Democrats in the state House just lost committee assignments for their protests on redistricting last week. This group includes the Tennessee Three, who were once expelled from the state House but allowed to return.
That would be a fascinating general election. Even ignoring the electoral benefits to us of an all dem top two and driving down republican turnout, I'd want to see it happen in order to see how it plays out.
Dems running behind now in the polls can plan on a close race in the Fall- the economy is tanking with Trump's policies and Trump's war. Democrats should fill the ballot everywhere because the blue wave or possibly blue Tsunami will carry in many Ds that look like the underdog now. I would urge Democratic candidates for state offices to push combining the local elections with the even year midterm elections. This reform will boost voter turnout and save millions in tax money. It will also increase the number of women and number of minorities elected to local government. Virginia Dems must lower the age for judges to retire to 70 or 65. For Democracy's sake,Fight Back!!!
Just wanted to note that we've published a "rules of the road" for The Downballot community. I ask everyone here to read and abide. Thank you!
https://www.the-downballot.com/p/the-downballots-community-rules-of
https://tennesseelookout.com/2026/05/12/tennessees-new-9th-district-draws-republican-race/
TN-9: Republican state Rep. Todd Warner is in, challenging state Sen. Brent Taylor for the nomination. He was under investigation for misusing taxpayer funds, which caused former state Rep. Glen Casada to go to prison in the same case.
Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen is considering reelection, while state Rep. Justin J. Pearson is in.
https://nashvillebanner.com/2026/05/13/tennessee-redistricting-democrats-congressional-candidates/
Now, Democratic state Sen. London Lamar is also running. She thinks Pearson should switch to the 5th, where he lives. Current Democrats running there include Columbia mayor Chaz Molder and Nashville councilman Mike Cortese, who will likely switch to the 4th under the new map.
https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/05/13/former-mayor-megan-barry-might-run-congress
TN-6: Disgraced former Nashville mayor Megan Barry, a Democrat, will likely run here, now an open seat.
Why?
Why is she disgraced, or why is she running? I can't answer the latter, but she has plenty of scandals that plagued her previous congressional campaign.
The latter.
Good news from NE.
MI Sen polls continue to look a bit worrisome with all 3 trailing.
I really just don’t get how we are trailing in Michigan. Rogers lost in the last cycle in a much worse environment for us, Slotkin was a strong candidate but not so much stronger that she’d perform 10+ points better relative to the environment than the people we have this year.
I think it's because we have a competitive primary while Rogers doesn't. We'll likely make up the gap and get in the lead in the late summer/fall.
Calm down about MI Sen. It's just one poll and Rogers has a name rec advantage over all of them right now.
Pretty sure he's been leading in other polls too but I don't think he'll win
https://nashvillebanner.com/2026/05/13/tennessee-redistricting-democrats-congressional-candidates/
TN-7: A trio of Democrats, including Nashville councilman Jacob Kupin, state Rep. Vincent Dixie and businessman Darden Copeland will run here. Dixie ran but dropped out when the old map was still in place. Dixie and Copeland also ran for this district when it held a special election last year.
A lot of Tennessee news this morning, huh? The Memphis city council unanimously voted to reject the new congressional map, which means absolutely nothing.
https://www.myfox8.com/news/north-carolina/greensboro/greensboro-mother-slams-nc-rep-virginia-foxx-for-response-to-10-year-old-sons-essay/amp/
NC-5: Longtime Republican Rep. Virginia Foxx is in hot water for talking down to a 4th grader that wrote her a letter.
The 10 year old wrote to her suggesting a $5 thousand tax rebate for EVs. Foxx said this was "sad" and encouraged him to "ask his teachers about propaganda."
Foxx's district, usually in rural Appalachia, was drawn to include the bulk of Greensboro, a large blue city, in 2024.
She’s been real foot in mouth syndrome for a long time hasn’t she
If Chuck Edwards can lose, I think she can. They're both controversial enough and represent similar constituencies.
Edwards strikes me as likelier with Asheville entirely within
If Foxx's challenger has a good GOTV effort and hits her on high gas prices and tariffs, they may have a shot. The awful letter she sent (likely written by a staffer) isn't going to endear her to voters in Guilford County either.
Especially her screaming "shut up" at a press conference. Out of all the NC Congressional Republicans, I want her and that cheating scumbag Mark Harris out the most.
If Kiggans wasn’t trying to be racist, she could’ve just said “Jeffries needs to stay away from Virginia” or something to that effect.
She knew exactly what she was talking about, hence her half-assed non apology.
She didn't actually say the racist thing, but she did say "ditto, yes to that"
https://www.wsmv.com/2026/05/12/multiple-tn-democrats-stripped-all-committee-assignments/
More Tennessee news: most Democrats in the state House just lost committee assignments for their protests on redistricting last week. This group includes the Tennessee Three, who were once expelled from the state House but allowed to return.
Sheer pettiness and classlessness from TN Rs, particularly Brandon Sexton.
Emerson CA poll Ds pulling out of lockout territory https://x.com/EmersonPolling/status/2054548444526825559?s=20
Amazing comeback for Becerra, if true.
Becerra v Steyer is the dream lol
That would be a fascinating general election. Even ignoring the electoral benefits to us of an all dem top two and driving down republican turnout, I'd want to see it happen in order to see how it plays out.
Dems running behind now in the polls can plan on a close race in the Fall- the economy is tanking with Trump's policies and Trump's war. Democrats should fill the ballot everywhere because the blue wave or possibly blue Tsunami will carry in many Ds that look like the underdog now. I would urge Democratic candidates for state offices to push combining the local elections with the even year midterm elections. This reform will boost voter turnout and save millions in tax money. It will also increase the number of women and number of minorities elected to local government. Virginia Dems must lower the age for judges to retire to 70 or 65. For Democracy's sake,Fight Back!!!
KY 4: Massie falls behind according to Quantus.
https://quantusinsights.org/f/kentucky-cd4-republican-primary-gallrein-leads-massie