Tennessee’s state Senate races stood witness to a stern rebuke against state-funded school voucher antagonists in the Republican primaries. Notably, two outspoken adversaries of the voucher scenario were swiftly shown the exit. Yet the outcome that might inject profound implications, upset the apple cart as incumbent Senate Education Chairman Jon Lundberg, who was surprisingly trumped by Bobby Harshbarger, a Trump-endorsed anti-voucher candidate.
A conceivable set of Tennessee state Senate races morphed into touchstones on the subject of state-funded private school vouchers. Frank Niceley, a longstanding incumbent, was elbowed aside following a barrage of ad campaigning financed by the School Freedom Fund. An analogous strategy was employed by the same PAC with a campaign slandering Rep. Bryan Richey, who pursued an available seat relinquished by outgoing Sen. Art Swann. Ultimately, Tom Hatcher, a pro-voucher candidate emerged victorious.
Yet, despite the considerable inflow of funds, reaching nearly $200,000, endorsed by external groups in favor of Lundberg, the sharp duel against Harshbarger, a Kingsport-based pharmacist and progeny of U.S. Rep. Diana Harshbarger, favored the latter, and no briefcase of money could alter that outcome. A successful Trump endorsement and support from a PAC enjoying the same executive staff as his mother’s congressional campaign, catapulted Harshbarger over the finish line, albeit his anti-voucher stance.
On another front, Senate Speaker Pro Tempore Ferrell Haile managed to dodge an attack from his political adversaries as he successfully shielded his sitting position in the Senate. Here’s an in-depth exploration of the other fierce state Senate primaries in the recent election.
In what attendees deemed one of the most closely contested state Senate races, District 4 incumbent Sen. Jon Lundberg experienced the bitter taste of defeat to challenger Bobby Harshbarger during the Republican primary. Harshbarger, a figure receiving the much-sought endorsement of ex-President Donald Trump, solidified his credibility with this electoral victory.
Sen. Lundberg, the previous chairman of the Senate Education Committee, had been a legislature member since 2006. He enthusiastically pushed Governor Bill Lee’s universal school voucher campaign and promoted school choice policies. Harshbarger, a pharmacist and a small business owner originating from Sullivan County is but not limited to his political heritage as the offspring of U.S. Rep. Diana Harshbarger. He proudly represents his constituents from Hawkins and Sullivan counties in upper East Tennessee.
In the state Senate District 18 race, Tennessee Senate Speaker Pro Tempore Ferrell Haile rebuffed a primary challenge from self-proclaimed conservative Chris Spencer. Winning comfortably, Haile took full advantage of his hefty savings to safeguard his re-election effort and tackle Spencer’s threats.
In response to Spencer claiming Haile is at odds with children’s interests, Haile highlighted his track record as the sponsor of legislation attempting to streamline the adoption process for potential families via Tennessee’s Safe Baby Courts, and endorsing laws prohibiting medical and surgical gender changes for minors, as well as barring transgender minors from participating in sports not corresponding to their genders assigned at birth. Haile supports mounting access to publicly sponsored private school vouchers, a positive move for parents seeking choice in education. Subsequently, he will face Walter Chandler, a Democrat, in November.
State Senate District 2 saw the rise of pro-voucher candidate Tom Hatcher who emerged victorious in the Republican primary, defeating state Rep. Bryan Richey and businessman John Pullias. Richey, who painted a weak stance on crime and verged on the liberal side, suffered the backlash of a campaign employing a series of contrasting ads funded by the School Freedom Fund. Hatcher will now face Patti Young, a Democrat, in the upcoming November election.
In Senate District 6, incumbent Sen. Becky Duncan Massey overcame a challenge from Monica Irvine, a right-wing competitor in the Republican primary. Post victory, Massey revs up to meet Democrat Dominica Bryan for the general election come November.
Senate District 8 saw the previous longtime Sen. Frank Niceley succumbing to a strenuous race, losing to Republican contestant Jessie Seal. Seal will be battling against Democrat R.E. Ellison in the November election.
In the Senate District 10, Sen. Todd Gardenhire managed to beat back a primary challenge from Ed LeCompte, former Red Bank city commissioner. Next, he will be challenging Democrat Missy Crutchfield in the November election.
In Senate District 12, incumbent Sen. Ken Yager struck a win in the Republican primary, successfully overcoming Teena Hedrick. Yager will square off against Democrat Curtis Kelly in the November election.
In Senate District 30, incumbent Sen. Sara P. Kyle grabbed a win in the Democratic primary, successfully outstripping Erika Stotts Pearson. The stage is set for her facing the Republican candidate in the November election.