WASHINGTON—Today, the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) announced three 2024 Tennessee candidates running in target races to combat extreme GOP power in the legislature. These strong Spotlight candidates provide opportunities to flip and defend competitive seats and chip away at Republicans’ stronghold in the legislature.
The Spotlight candidates unveiled today are:
- Rep. Ronnie Glynn (HD-67) is a U.S. Army veteran and small business owner running for reelection to the Tennessee House. After 23 years of service and 3 deployments in Iraq & Afghanistan, Ronnie returned home to Tennessee to continue serving his community by stepping up to mentor local youth. This inspired Ronnie to give back even more, and he successfully ran a state legislative campaign to further increase the impact of his public service. Since taking office, Ronnie has championed public education, women’s rights, and accessible health care. If he is reelected, he will continue to fight tenaciously for progress on these issues.
- Allie Phillips (HD–75) is a childcare provider and born-and-raised Tennessean running for the state House to flip her district blue. In late 2022, Allie discovered she was pregnant, and both she and her husband were elated at the prospect of growing their family. Tragically, the couple learned in her second trimester that there was no chance of their baby surviving. Because of Tennessee’s cruel post-Roe abortion ban, Allie was forced to travel out of state alone for a life-saving abortion. Now, she’s determined to unseat her district’s anti-choice incumbent and fight tooth and nail to ensure no one else has to experience the devastation and hardship she endured.
- Jesse Huseth (HD-97) is a local business owner and former educator running to flip a seat in the Tennessee House. Jesse is a lifelong Memphian who attended the city’s public schools all the way through college. He’s adamant that the future of his state hinges on reviving the public school system, which currently is in the bottom ten in the nation for spending per student. By working to strengthen trade schools, prioritize public school funding, and make higher education more affordable, Jesse will help make a world-class education available to all Tennessee students.
Republicans have repeatedly used their legislative power in Tennessee to advance MAGA extremism. For example, in 2023, Republicans moved to expel the “Tennessee Three,” the three Democrat representatives who spoke out in support of gun violence prevention after a deadly shooting in their community. This session, the GOP trifecta passed legislation that puts more guns in schools, restricts abortion access, and puts LGBTQ+ foster kids at risk. GOP leadership has made Tennessee among the worst states for LGBTQ+ equality and child firearm deaths, and the voices of these Spotlight candidates will be instrumental in the fight against Republican power as Democrats work to build a brighter future for their state. These three candidates join over 180 state legislative candidates in our Spotlight program who are running across the country to build Democratic power and counter MAGA control of state legislatures.
Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee President Heather Williams issued the following statement:
“Republicans in Tennessee have used their power to push a dangerous agenda that strips freedoms and puts communities at risk. They have tried repeatedly to silence opposition but Democrats will not stop fighting. To combat Republican power, the DLCC is putting a spotlight on these three candidates in competitive races who are prepared to take on the GOP’s harmful policies. These Democratic candidates will chip away at Republicans’ stronghold and provide compassionate leadership that strengthens Tennesseans’ rights. As the DLCC builds Democratic power nationwide, these candidates are key to challenging GOP dominance in some of the toughest territory.”
The DLCC is the official arm of the Democratic Party with the sole mission of building Democratic power in the states and setting the national agenda at the state level. Over the last decade, we have fought cycle-over-cycle to gain a dozen new legislative chamber majorities and we are leading the effort to bring national attention and investment to our ballot level. State legislatures are the building blocks of our democracy and have the closest connections to Americans’ day-to-day lives. From protecting fundamental freedoms and voting rights to growing the middle class, the DLCC and state legislators are moving the Democratic agenda forward and shaping the future of this country.
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