A national Democratic fundraising arm has tapped three Tennessee statehouse candidates as “spotlight” races in a program aimed to throw more financial resources behind potentially flippable seats in state legislatures.
The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, the official party committee that works to elect state-level Democrats, announced Thursday it would target two competitive races in Clarksville and Memphis, in addition to a “defense” seat currently held by a Democrat in Clarksville.
Rep. Ronnie Glynn, D-Clarksville, is seeking reelection in a competitive race against Republican Jamie Peltz.
In House District 75, Democrat Allie Phillips is challenging incumbent Rep. Jeff Burkhart, R-Clarksville, in west Montgomery County.
Democrat Jesse Huseth is challenging incumbent Rep. John Gillespie, R-Memphis, in House District 97, seen as one of the most vulnerable Republican districts in the state.
“It’s very exciting to see the national party take an interest in these state-level races, in the South particularly,” Huseth said.