Next door in Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District, Democrats’ D.C. machine has sized up scandal-ridden incumbent U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles for an upset, helping get Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder off to a handsome start. Ogles has struggled to raise money and carries a short record in office pocked by ethics and campaign finance blunders.

Domonica Bryan, a former Democratic candidate for State Senate, is the new Knox County Democratic Party chair. County Democrats elected Bryan, a 40-year-old Tennessee Department of Children Services investigator, to replace former chair Stuart Hohl, who stepped down to focus on his career.

The Shelby County Commission hit the brakes on issuing candidate petitions for five MSCS board races, citing a temporary restraining order issued Wednesday by the court. Twenty-two challengers have already taken that first step to qualify for the May 5 primary.

In 2026, the City of Clarksville, Montgomery County, Tennessee state and federal seats will be up for election. The first of the three elections will be held on May 5 with the state and county primaries. The Tennessee Secretary of State has announced important dates of each election, such as candidate filing dates and voter registration.

Rutherford County District 1 Commissioner Steve Pearcy and District 18 challenger Eddie Sanders emerged as first two to qualify for 2026 elections.

MSCS is suing to stop an unprecedented mega-election that will put all nine board seats on the May ballot. The race comes with big implications for a state takeover, and a new superintendent is on the horizon.

Memphis-Shelby County Schools Board candidates who are suing the Election Commission over term abridgment had a win in court on Jan. 6.

Some state lawmakers say a new Tennessee law regarding non-citizen ID's will ensure the integrity of elections moving forward.But critics say the change is a wa