February 18, 2008

Balance of Power

The Tennessean previews the upcoming campaign battle for control of the Tennessee state Senate, and also looks at the House side, stating the opinion that "all 99 state House seats are up for re-election this year, but chances of a leadership upset there are slim."

Actually, changes of the Republican Party taking a majority in the state House are growing. Democrats currently hold a 53-46 edge, so Republicans need to pick up just four seats to gain a majority.

The recent announcement by two Democrats, Frank Buck of Dowelltown and John D. Hood of Murfreesboro, that they are not seeking re-election, opens up two districts in which a Republican win is possible, and the Tennessee GOP has a good chance to knock of at least two other incumbent Democrats in districts where Democrats do not greatly outnumber Republicans.