Tennessee primary election

The recent Tennessee primary elections showcased a pivotal moment for school voucher advocates, with 10 out of 13 supported candidates winning their races, signaling voter backing for Governor Bill Lee's voucher program. Despite this success, notable losses included Senate Education Chairman Jon Lundberg, who was defeated by Trump-endorsed Bobby Harshbarger, an anti-voucher candidate. The elections were heavily influenced by significant funding from out-of-state groups supporting vouchers, as well as targeted negative ads against anti-voucher candidates. Longtime Republican lawmakers, including Frank Niceley and John Ragan, also lost their seats amidst these changes. The outcomes position voucher advocates to push for a universal school choice bill in the upcoming legislative session, with optimism for its passage. The elections reflect increasing tensions within the Republican Party regarding education policy and the influence of endorsements and external funding on local races.