Election Hangover
💊 Blackburn won, but the landslide went missing · Anti-nostalgia in the millennial South · Remembering Martha Ingram · Much more!
Augustapalooza Two chances for you to schmooze next month. The special guest for our monthly event is writer Scott Greer here to talk about his new book, and separately, we're partnering with children's book publisher Chapter House for a mom's night out (with open bar) the Saturday before. (Greer Info, Mom Info)
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Blackburn won, but the landslide went missing. Meanwhile, Nashville Republicans see openings.
From Megan Podsiedlik
Senator Marsha Blackburn landed the Republican nomination for Tennessee governor over U.S. Representative John Rose and state Representative Monty Fritts last night, but victory is certainly not as sweet as expected.
Back in March, Blackburn’s campaign touted a Cygnal poll suggesting she’d win the nod by a landslide, projecting a 50+ point lead over Rose. Instead, she finished just 11 points ahead of Rose and only 20 points ahead of Fritts. In the end, a majority of Republican primary voters—56 percent—chose someone other than Blackburn.
The shift away from Blackburn left Rose and Fritts competing to capture those voters. Blackburn won 68 counties, Rose won 22, and Fritts won 4. Of the 68 counties carried by Blackburn, Rose finished second in 47, while Fritts was the runner-up in 21. In all five counties where Blackburn finished last, Rose outperformed Fritts. Conversely, in the 4 counties won by Fritts, Rose finished last.
Primary Election Results for Davidson County Races:
- Governor: Republican: Marsha Blackburn, Democrat: Jeri Green
- U.S. Senate: Republican: Bill Hagerty, Democrat: Ronnie Henley
- U.S. House District 4: Republican: Scott DesJarlais, Democrat: Victoria Broderick
- U.S. House District 6: Republican: Johnny Garrett, Democrat: Mike Croley
- U.S. House District 7: Republican: Matt Van Epps, Democrat: Darden Copeland
- State Senate District 17: Republican: Mark Pody, Democrat: Lindsey Patrick-Wright
- State Senate Districts uncontested: District 19: Charlane Oliver (Democrat), District 21: Jeff Yarbro (Democrat)
- State House District 52: Republican: Michele Vette, Democrat: Justin Jones
- State House District 55: Republican: Jayla Thomas, Democrat: John Ray Clemmons
- State House District 59: Republican: Bill Hancock, Democrat: Mark Proctor
- State House District 60: Republican: Eva Angelina Romero, Democrat: Shaundelle Brooks
- State House Districts uncontested: District 50: Bo Mitchell (Democrat), District 51: Aftyn Behn (Democrat), District 53: Jason Powell (Democrat), District 54: Vincent Dixie (Democrat), District 56: Bob Freeman (Democrat), District 58: Harold M. Love Jr. (Democrat)
Will Davidson County see any state seats flip? Here are some competitive races to watch out for:
Over 5,500 voters cast ballots for the uncontested Republican State House District 59 candidate, Bill Hancock. The open seat drew interest from a number of Democratic candidates following Representative Caleb Hemmer’s (D) resignation. But even with a competitive primary, Democratic turnout only totaled just over 7,700 votes.
Similarly, uncontested State House District 60 Republican primary candidate Eva Angelina Romero received a notable number of votes as a newcomer. Romero will face Democratic incumbent Shaundelle Brooks in the general election.
✹ AUGUST PAMPHLETEER EVENTS
Two Opportunities to Mix and Mingle. In addition to our regular, third Thursday get-together with special guest Scott Greer who is here to talk about his new book Whitepill, we're partnering with children's book publisher Chapter House to host a Mom's Night Out in support of their new line of high-quality children's classics.
For the Whitepilled event with Scott Greer, the first 50 guests to RSVP with code PILLED will receive free admittance. RSVP here.
✹ ANTI-NOSTALGIA IN THE MILLENNIAL SOUTH
Molly Silver left Los Angeles after the pandemic. In her debut novel, the native Tennessean returns to her roots and offers a rarely-seen portrait of the South.
Like thousands of Californians over the last decade, Molly Silver moved to the Greater Metro Nashville Area between the last gasps of COVID and the first rumblings of the Palisades Fire. But, in contrast to those other American refugees from SoCal who keep locals in a perpetual tizzy, she’s born and bred in the Volunteer State and very much enjoying her homecoming.
Silver spent nearly two decades in L.A.’s entertainment industry in everything from independent film to commercials as she worked her way up to union memberships. When the 2023 strikes forced her to take a break from writing, she tried something new: she began a novel.
In May, Silver’s debut OMG! Did I Just Time Travel?! hit bookstores. Focusing on deadly serious teenage athlete, Lydia James and her sudden descent into 1989 thanks to a portal in the woods by her Knoxville high school, the novel melds sci-fi and Y.A, without the melodramatic excess or revelry in nostalgia that have marked both genres over the past few years. More impressively, Silver manages to create a real-deal portrait of the contemporary South negotiating its own identity that remains free from the down-home tropes that continue to define the region.
IN MEMORIAM
🏛Martha Ingram Passes Away at Age 90 We are saddened to hear of the passing of Mrs. Ingram, a real force in the city. Below is a collection of comments made about her from people across the city in the wake of her passing:
"Martha left everything she touched better for her having passed that way — I can think of no finer epitaph for a great Nashvillian, Tennessean, and American." Phil Bredesen, former Tennessee governor and Nashville mayor.
"For half a century, governors and mayors came and went. And through it all, Martha Ingram carried the arts on her shoulders for all of us." Bill Purcell, Nashville mayor from 1999 to 2007.
"Very few have accomplished as much and contributed as much to help Tennesseans as Martha Ingram did. She did all of this with grace, a smile and compassion for others." Lamar Alexander, former Tennessee governor and U.S. senator.
"If you had to count on one hand the most influential leaders in Nashville in the 20th and early 21st centuries, there's just no question that Martha Ingram was one of those people." Bruce Dobie, co-founder of the Nashville Scene.
"In my time, no individual did more to define and advance the modern Vanderbilt than Martha Rivers Ingram." Nicholas Zeppos, former Vanderbilt University chancellor emeritus.
HEADLINES
- 💼 Judge dismisses Metro Councilmember’s $40M defamation lawsuit. A judge dismissed Metro Councilmember Joy Kimbrough’s $40 million defamation lawsuit against Nashville businessman Ryan Moses, ruling that her claims were either protected by legal privilege or failed to meet the required standard for a public official to prove defamation. The lawsuit stemmed from Moses’ dismissed ethics complaint alleging Kimbrough sought money in exchange for supporting a zoning change for a proposed liquor warehouse; the court also ordered Kimbrough to pay attorney fees and imposed $40,000 in sanctions. (WSMV)
- 🔫 Two killed after ATF agents fired upon during Nashville enforcement operation. The incident occurred after gunfire was exchanged with ATF agents during a planned federal enforcement operation in Nashville. According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the operation involved the suspected sale of unlawful firearms. (NewsChannel 5)
- 🥊 In Upset, Andy Ogles Loses to a Republican Challenger in Tennessee. Former Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher defeated incumbent U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles in the Republican primary for Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District, delivering a major upset despite Ogles having President Donald Trump’s endorsement. The race highlighted tensions within the GOP, with Hatcher benefiting from support from Tennessee’s Republican establishment, including Gov. Bill Lee, while Ogles’ controversial record and lack of fundraising strength became liabilities. (NYT)
- 🌊 Is Williamson getting bluer? Long considered a Republican stronghold, Williamson County is showing signs of a growing Democratic presence. Recent results reflect shifting demographics, changing voter priorities, and increased Democratic engagement in the county rather than an immediate partisan realignment. (WilliamsonWrong Substack)
- ⚔️ TN US House District 9: Republican Brent Taylor and Democrat Justin Pearson set for general election. State Sen. Brent Taylor and state Rep. Justin Pearson won their respective Republican and Democratic primaries and will face off in the general election for Tennessee’s newly redrawn 9th Congressional District. The race will be closely watched as Pearson, a member of the “Tennessee Three,” seeks to hold a Democratic seat in a district reshaped by redistricting that now gives Republicans a stronger advantage. (Lookout)
✹ PROPERTY TAX CALCULATOR
What Moved Your Bill? Use our handy new tool to see what contributed to your property tax bill increase: the reappraisal or the rate hike. (Try It Out)
DEVELOPMENT
- Oracle quietly builds riverfront greenway next to future East Bank campus (NBJ)
- Cafe Roze owner opened cocktail lounge, Bar Roza, downtown (NBJ)
- 2-Acre East Bank Property Listed For Sale In Nashville (Now Next)
- Bahrain-based Investcorp pays $39.5 million for airport-area warehouses (Post)
✹ METRO COUNCIL WATCH
New Council Watch Features We've added additional features to Council Watch. In addition to who's funding your council member, you can now see how they vote and who they vote with most frequently. (Take a Look)
THINGS TO DO
View our calendar for the week here.
📅 Visit our On The Radar list to find upcoming events around Nashville.
🎧 On Spotify: Pamphleteer's Picks, a playlist of our favorite bands in town this week.
👨🏻🌾 Check out our Nashville farmer's market guide.
TONIGHT
🎸 Elijah Wyatt & Dustin Bothwell @ Skinny Dennis, 7p, $10, Info
+ twangy country
🎸 The Black Keys @ The Pinnacle, 8p, $96+, Info
🪕 Vince Gill @ Ryman Auditorium, 7p, $137, Info
🎸 Country Club Day ft. The Cowpokes @ Acme Feed & Seed, 12:30p, Free, Info
🎸 Kelley's Heroes @ Robert's Western World, 6:30p, Free, Info
SATURDAY
🪩 Nordista Freeze @ The Blue Room, 7p, $25,34, Info
+ Step back into the 1960s for Nordista Freeze’s ‘The Cool Off’, a dressed-up, dance-ready night packed with vintage pop, psychedelic sounds
🎸 Cat Rose Smith @ Skinny Dennis, 7p, $10, Info
🪕 Vince Gill @ Ryman Auditorium, 7p, $137, Info
🎸 Koe Wetzel @ Bridgestone Arena, 6p, $35.25, Info
🛥️ Monsters of Yacht - America's Premier Tribute to 70s and 80s Yacht Rock @ 3rd and Lindsley, 8p, $24.61, Info
🪕 Pam Setser @ Station Inn, 9p, $25 Info
🎸 Kelley's Heroes @ Robert's Western World, 6:30p, Free, Info
SUNDAY
🎙️ Howard Jones w/ Wang Chung @ Ascend Amphitheater, 6p, $35+, Info
🪕 Bluegrass Jam @ Station Inn, 7p, Free, Info
+ a night for musicians and singers from all over the world to gather and enjoy making music together
🪕 Sundays Between with Easy Green @ Tennessee Brew Works, 1p, Info
+ a fusion of two beloved musical genres – Bluegrass and the iconic sounds of the Grateful Dead!
📰 Check out the full newsletter archive here.
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Today's newsletter is brought to you by Davis Hunt, Megan Podsiedlik, and Camelia Brennan.