Who’s on the ballot, candidate information in Middle Tennessee

Staff reports
| Nashville Tennessean

Are you getting ready for election day? We have your guide to racing in the Nashville area and the state of Tennessee.

The only statewide race on the ballot this year is a battle for the US Senatewhere incumbent U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee, is seeking a second six-year term against State Rep. Gloria Johnson.

All nine seats in the United States House are up for election this year in Tennessee, and all 99 seats in the Tennessee House of Representatives are up for election. In 2024, only even-numbered state Senate seats are up for grabs.

Many counties and cities in the state also have local races on the ballot. One of the most famous will be a Nashville Transit Referendum.

Here are the top races you can expect to see on the ballot. Follow the links below to find information about the candidates, key aspects:

The US President

The Tennesseans are preparing to make a historic pick by selecting 47^th president of the United States. Main options – Kamala Harris and Donald Trump – couldn’t be more different, but the nominees have some similarities.

US Senate from Tennessee

Who is applying: Incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn is seeking a second six-year term against state Rep. Gloria Johnson, D-Knoxville, whose political profile rose to national prominence last year amid gun control protests and hearings of expulsion from the Tennessee Three.

Middle Tennessee US House

All nine US House seats are up for election this year in Tennessee and Districts 4 through 7 in the Nashville and Middle Tennessee area. While unseating a Republican incumbent in Tennessee is an uphill battle, U.S. Reps. Scott DesJarlais, R-Murfreesboro, Andy Ogles, R-Columbia, and Mark Green, R-Clarksville, all face viable challenges. Former Nashville Mayor Megan Barry is challenging Green. First-time candidate and longtime political activist Maryam Abolfazli is running against Ogles. DesJarlais is being challenged by Lincoln County Democratic Party Chairwoman Victoria Broderick.

Nashville Transit Referendum

What’s on the ballot: The $3.1 billion “Choose House You Move” plan would levy a half-cent sales tax increase to fund transit projects such as doubling cross-over bus routes, expanding bus routes and connecting transit hubs between them, simplifying travel in the Tennessee capital.

Tennessee State Senate

In the state Senate, half of the 33 seats are up for vote this year. In 2024, even-numbered districts will elect four-year terms. Independents will appear on the ballot in November. In three Senate districts, incumbents face no opposition.

Tennessee State House

Tennessee voters will have the chance to vote in all 99 Tennessee House of Representatives districts this year. In 31 districts, there is only one candidate on the ballot. Meanwhile, although Republicans hold a supermajority in the state House and are in no danger of losing it, Democrats are hoping to make gains and are eyeing about five competitive legislative seats.

Tennessee Voting Guides

Below are links to everything a voter needs to know about elections in East, Middle and West Tennessee.

Knox News: Voter’s Guide to the 2024 East Tennessee Election

The Tennessean: Voter’s Guide to the 2024 Middle Tennessee Election

Commercial call: Voter’s Guide to the 2024 West Tennessee Election