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Compare the policies of Marsha Blackburn and Gloria Johnson
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Compare the policies of Marsha Blackburn and Gloria Johnson

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Editor’s note: This story has been corrected. Gloria Johnson served in the Tennessee House of Representatives, not the U.S. House of Representatives.

Election Day is Tuesday, November 5th. In addition to the presidential campaign, there are several important local and important state elections on the ballot this year.

A particularly fierce race in Tennessee is between Marsha Blackburn and Gloria Johnson.

Incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn is seeking a second term against state Rep. Gloria Johnson, D-Knoxville. In the election, Blackburn was favored to win the Volunteer State, which has not elected a statewide Democratic candidate since 2006.

A recent October poll from the Beacon Poll of Tennessee shows Sen. Blackburn leading Rep. Johnson by 23 points (54%-31%).

Here’s what you should know about the candidates and their beliefs before Election Day.

U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee

Blackburn, 72, is the incumbent candidate and a senior U.S. senator from Tennessee. She is seeking her second term in the Senate.

Before being elected to the Senate, Blackburn served eight terms in the U.S. House of Representatives and before that in the Tennessee Senate.

During her tenure in the Senate, Blackburn successfully championed legislation to protect children from online exploitation and curb the smuggling and trafficking of women and girls. Blackburn is also a vocal critic of the Chinese Communist Party.

What are Blackburn’s key campaign issues?

Senator Blackburn is endorsed by former President Donald Trump. She is guided by conservative values ​​and sees herself as a “champion of anti-taxation and government accountability,” according to her campaign website.

  • Hold big tech companies accountable
  • Reduce expenses and taxes
  • Secure the border and enforce existing immigration laws
  • Protect unborn life

Rep. Gloria Johnson, D-Knoxville

Johnson, 62, is currently a member of the state House of Representatives and has represented part of Knoxville in the House since 2012.

In 2023, the Republican-controlled House of Representatives attempted to expel Johnson and two other Democrats after she participated in a gun control protest at the House dais in the middle of a legislative session. Johnson, along with Reps. Justin Jones, D-Nashville, and Justin Pearson, D-Memphis, became known as the “Tennessee Three.”

Rep. Jones and Rep. Pearson were expelled but ultimately re-elected.

What are Johnson’s key campaign issues?

According to her campaign website, Rep. Johnson is a candidate who embraces liberal beliefs and sees herself as an advocate for gun safety laws. Johnson also has a background as a special education teacher.

  • Protect abortion rights
  • Strengthen bipartisan efforts on gun legislation
  • Lower costs for housing, food and education
  • Expand health care to rural areas and reduce drug costs
  • Increase funding for public schools

Independent candidates

There are also three independent candidates vying for Senate seats this election cycle.

  • Tharon Chandlera farmer and army veteran.
  • Pamela Jeanineformer Memphis mayoral candidate.
  • Hastina Robinson, one paramedic.

Knoxville News Sentinel reporter Allie Feinberg and the Tennessee staff contributed to this report.

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