SYNOPSIS:
All eyes were on Tennessee's 7th Congressional District last week, where Republicans held onto what has been a safe GOP seat in a special election — but Democratic state Rep. Aftyn Behn cut the Republican margin of victory from 22 points in 2024 to under 9 points. The swing got the attention of political observers in both parties, who mostly agreed that it could spell bad news for Republicans in the 2026 midterms. We talk with Tennessee-based political writer and strategist Corbin Trent about what progressive candidates can learn from Behn's campaign, which focused on affordability and access to health care. We also look at an interesting election in Roswell, Georgia, an affluent suburb of Atlanta where a Democratic mayoral candidate ousted the Republican incumbent.
Plus: a tribute to the late Steve Cropper, whose tasty, funky guitar riffs helped power Stax Records — and all of Southern soul music.
SHOW NOTES:
"GOP Frets 'Dangerous' Result in Tennessee" Politico
"Super PACs have now spent $7 million in Middle TN U.S. House special election with a week to go" Tennessee Lookout
"Republican Ousted by Democrat in Georgia" Newsweek
"Time Is Tight (Live 1970)" Booker T. and the M.G.'s
CONTACT:
Jesse Mayshark
jmayshark@theprogressivesouth.org
(865) 214-7764
