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In Tennessee, a special election for a vacant congressional seat is expected to be more competitive in a district that has been strongly Republican for years.
MICHEL MARTIN, HOST: After Democrats won elections this month in New Jersey, Virginia and Pennsylvania, the party is now eyeing a race in Tennessee. The special congressional election is for a district that has been solidly Republican for decades, but is now more competitive. Early voting is already underway. So, Marianna Bacallao for member station WPLN in Nashville headed to the polls to check in with voters.MARIANNA BACALLAO, BYLINE: Overlooking U.S. Route 70 and the neighboring Dollar General, the city hall of Pegram, Tennessee, has opened its doors as an early voting site. It’s one of many in the state’s 7th congressional district, which is holding a special election that concludes on December 2. Here in Cheatham County, President Trump won with 72% of the vote last year.Trump endorsed the Republican congressional candidate Matt Van Epps. Some voters say they cast a ballot for the former state commissioner because…PAM: There’s a lot of work to do because a lot of work didn’t get done four years ago.MICHAEL: Making sure that President Trump has the support he needs to carry out his agenda.JEFF: I just like the moral values. I like to get away from the issues of transgenderism and homosexuality, and I like somebody that’s backing the way Trump’s got the country going.BACALLAO: That was Pam, Michael and Jeff. All three refused to give their last names because they wanted to keep their ballot choices private. But not everyone in Cheatham County is happy.BECKY: I don’t know how you could say the price of groceries or anything are coming down unless you’ve not been to the grocery store. Everything’s more expensive.BACALLAO: That’s Becky, who also wanted to keep her last name private. She says she voted for Democratic congressional candidate Aftyn Behn because she’s worried about her daughter who’s just graduated college.BECKY: And she has no chance of being able to live on her own. Everything is expensive.BACALLAO: She’s not alone. Affordability is top of mind for Nashville voters, along with…ABRAHAM GARCIA ORTEGA: Safety, money, jobs.JASMINE PATTERSON: Housing.ORTEGA: Inflation is outrageous, you know?BACALLAO: That was Abraham Garcia Ortega and Jasmine Patterson. They also cast their vote for Behn, a state lawmaker. She and Van Epps are vying for a seat left open by the retirement of Congressman Mark Green. While Green has held the seat since 2019, his surprise retirement could present an opportunity for Democrats.This month, the Cook Political Report, a non-partisan newsletter, changed the 7th Congressional district’s rating from solidly Republican to likely Republican. The state’s GOP chair, Scott Golden, says he’s focused on turnout at a time when many voters may be traveling or hosting for the holidays.SCOTT GOLDEN: Anytime you have a special election bracketed by the Thanksgiving holiday, you can’t afford to take a day off. You know, I think if there’s concern, it’s just that, you know, people aren’t aware that they have the opportunity to vote right now.BACALLAO: Recent Democratic wins across the country may also help build momentum for their candidate, even in a district that’s been a Republican stronghold for decades. Tennessee Democratic Party Chair Rachel Campbell says Behn’s focus on affordability, like the cost of groceries, could give her an edge.RACHEL CAMPBELL: My belief is that we’re winning because we’re focused on the real issues that families are facing, not just in Tennessee, but all across the country.BACALLAO: A recent NPR/PBS News/Marist poll found that nationwide, nearly 6 in 10 respondents say Trump’s top priority should be lowering prices – and no other issue comes close. Trump is unpopular nationwide with an approval rating of 39%. In Tennessee, though, his base is still strong. For NPR News, I’m Marianna Bacallao in Nashville.(SOUNDBITE OF ALL THEM WITCHES’ “MELLOWING”)
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