2018 United States Senate election in Tennessee explained

2018 United States Senate election in Tennessee should not be confused with 2018 Tennessee Senate election.

The 2018 United States Senate election in Tennessee took place on November 6, 2018, concurrently with other elections to the United States Senate, elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections. Incumbent Republican senator Bob Corker opted to retire instead of running for a third term. Republican U.S. representative Marsha Blackburn won the open seat, defeating former Democratic governor Phil Bredesen.

The primaries took place on August 2, 2018, with Blackburn and Bredesen winning their respective party nominations.

Early in the campaign, Bob Corker said that Blackburn's opponent, Democrat Phil Bredesen, was "a very good mayor, a very good governor, a very good businessperson", that he had "real appeal" and "crossover appeal", and that the two of them had cooperated well over the years. However, Corker said he would vote for Blackburn and donate to her campaign, and questioned whether Bredesen would be able to win a Senate seat in a red state like Tennessee.^{[2] [3]} After Corker's praise for Bredesen, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell warned Corker that such comments could cost the Republican Party its Senate majority.^[3] Shortly after Corker's comments, Trump tweeted an endorsement of Blackburn.^[3]

In October 2018, Tennessean singer-songwriter Taylor Swift endorsed Bredesen. The endorsement was notable given that Swift had previously been publicly apolitical, but spoke out because Blackburn's voting record in Congress "appalled" and "terrified" her. Swift shared a link to the nonpartisan voter registration website Vote.org, which saw a significant spike in page views and new registrations. Donald Trump criticized Swift's endorsement.^{[4] [5] [6]}

This election was expected to be among the most competitive Senate races in 2018, with CNN calling it the single most important Senate race in the country. Polls showed the race as close until the confirmation hearings for Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh started, which many Tennesseans believed the Democratic Party handled poorly. This is believed to have mobilized Republican voters and cost Bredesen any chance of winning.^[7] Bredesen also announced his support for Kavanaugh, which some believe cost him supporters.^[8]

This was Tennessee's closest Senate race since 2006, with Blackburn winning by a 10.8% margin.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Marsha Blackburn, U.S. representative^[9]

Eliminated in primary

• Aaron Pettigrew, truck driver

Withdrawn

• Bob Corker, incumbent U.S. senator^[10]
• Rolando Toyos, ophthalmologist and candidate for the Shelby County Commission in 2010^[11]
• Larry Crim, perennial candidate^{[12] [13]}
• Andy Ogles, former director of the Tennessee chapter of Americans for Prosperity^{[14] [15]}
• Stephen Fincher, former U.S. representative^[16]

Declined

• Mae Beavers, former state senator (formerly ran for Governor)^[17]
• Diane Black, U.S. representative (unsuccessfully ran for Governor)^[17]
• Randy Boyd, former commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development (unsuccessfully ran for governor)^[17]
• Tim Burchett, Knox County Mayor (successfully ran for TN-02)^{[18] [19]}
• Joe Carr, former state representative, candidate for U.S. Senate in 2014 and candidate for TN-06 in 2016^{[20] [21] [22]}
• Chuck Fleischmann, U.S. representative (successfully ran for re-election)^[17]
• Mark Green, state senator (successfully ran for TN-07)^{[21] [23]}
• Beth Harwell, Speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives (unsuccessfully ran for Governor)^[17]
• Bill Haslam, Governor of Tennessee^[24]
• David Kustoff, U.S. representative (successfully ran for re-election)^[17]
• Bill Lee, businessman (successfully ran for Governor)^[17]
• Peyton Manning, retired football player^{[25] [26]}
• Randy McNally, Lieutenant Governor of Tennessee^[17]
• Ron Ramsey, former lieutenant governor and candidate for governor in 2010^[17]

Speculation surrounding Senator Corker

On September 26, 2017, Republican senator Bob Corker announced that he would not seek another term in 2018.^[27] Many called on Corker to reverse his decision to retire. Former U.S. representative Fincher dropped out of the race, calling on Corker to jump back in and challenge U.S. representative Blackburn for the GOP nomination. Fincher said in a statement that the GOP should unite "behind a candidate who can win" the general election. Blackburn said she would remain in the race even if Corker reversed his decision. Amid the speculation about Corker's decision, many of Tennessee's Republican politicians, including many in the Tennessee General Assembly, reiterated their support for Blackburn.^[28] Corker's chief of staff announced on February 27, 2018, that Corker would stick with his plan to retire.^[29]

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Marsha Blackburn	Stephen Fincher	Rolando Toyos	Undecided
WPA Intelligence (R-Club for Growth)[30]	January 14–15, 2018	502	± 4.4%	align=center	66%	13%	–	21%
Triton Polling & Research (R)[31]	December 12–18, 2017	1,028	± 3.1%	align=center	58%	11%	4%	27%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Marsha Blackburn	Bob Corker	Stephen Fincher	Undecided
Ragnar Research Partners (R-AFFPA)[32]	February 14–19, 2018	926	± 3.0%	align=center	48%	29%	–	23%
WPA Intelligence (R-CDP PAC)[33]	February 13–15, 2018	400	± 4.9%	align=center	55%	26%	–	19%
Victory Phones (R-SCF)[34]	February 12–13, 2018	600	± 4.0%	align=center	49%	26%	9%	16%
WPA Intelligence (R-Club for Growth)	January 14–15, 2018	502	± 4.4%	align=center	63%	25%	–	12%

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Phil Bredesen, former governor of Tennessee and former mayor of Nashville^[36]

Eliminated in primary

• Gary Davis^[37]
• John Wolfe Jr.^[37] attorney and perennial candidate

Withdrawn

• James Mackler, attorney and veteran^[38]
• Bill Bailey, teaching assistant and retired UPS trailer mechanic^[39]

Declined

• Andy Berke, Mayor of Chattanooga^[40]
• Megan Barry, former mayor of Nashville^[17]
• Jim Cooper, U.S. representative and nominee for U.S. Senate in 1994^[17]
• Karl Dean, former Mayor of Nashville (unsuccessfully ran for Governor)^{[41] [42] [43]}
• Craig Fitzhugh, minority leader of the Tennessee House of Representatives (unsuccessfully ran for Governor)
• Bill Freeman, businessman and candidate for Mayor of Nashville in 2015^{[17] [44]}
• Lee Harris, Minority Leader of the Tennessee Senate
• Jeff Yarbro, state senator^{[45] [46]}
• Raumesh Akbari, state representative^[47]
• John Ray Clemmons, state representative^[48]
• Tim McGraw, country musician, songwriter and actor^[49]

Results

Independents

• Dean Hill, US Army Veteran, Ex-Government, Business Owner, Realtor

General election

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report[50]		October 26, 2018
Inside Elections[51]		November 1, 2018
Sabato's Crystal Ball[52]		November 5, 2018
NYT[53]		November 5, 2018
Fox News[54]		November 5, 2018
CNN[55]		November 5, 2018
RealClearPolitics[56]		November 5, 2018
Daily Kos[57]		November 5, 2018
Politico[58]		November 5, 2018
FiveThirtyEight[59]		November 5, 2018

Debates

• Complete video of debate, September 25, 2018
• Complete video of debate, October 10, 2018

Fundraising

Campaign finance reports as of Sep 30, 2018
Candidate (party)	Total receipts	Total disbursements	Cash on hand
	Marsha Blackburn (R)	align="right"	$11,568,094	align="right"	$9,062,332	align="right"	$2,505,762
	Phil Bredesen (D)	align="right"	$14,868,198	align="right"	$11,693,910	align="right"	$3,174,289
Source: Federal Election Commission[60]

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Marsha Blackburn (R)	Phil Bredesen (D)	Other	Undecided
Targoz Market Research[61]	October 28–31, 2018	480	–	49%	49%	–	2%
Emerson College[62]	October 28–30, 2018	621	± 4.0%	align=center	52%	44%	2%	3%
FOX News[63]	October 27–30, 2018	718 LV	± 3.5%	align=center	50%	41%	3%	5%
	850 RV	± 3.0%	align=center	48%	40%	3%	8%
Vox Populi Polling[64]	October 27–29, 2018	780	± 3.5%	align=center	53%	47%	–	–
CNN/SSRS[65]	October 24–29, 2018	764 LV	± 4.3%	align=center	49%	45%	0%	3%
	871 RV	± 4.0%	align=center	47%	46%	0%	4%
East Tennessee State University[66]	October 22–29, 2018	495	± 4.4%	44%	44%	–	–
Cygnal (R)[67]	October 26–27, 2018	497	± 4.4%	align=center	51%	45%	1%	4%
NBC News/Marist[68]	October 23–27, 2018	471 LV	± 5.7%	align=center	51%	46%	1%	3%
	764 RV	± 4.4%	align=center	49%	46%	1%	3%
Vanderbilt University/SSRS[69]	October 8–13, 2018	800	± 4.9%	43%	align=center	44%	1%	8%
Targoz Market Research[70]	October 9–12, 2018	558 LV	–	align=center	52%	48%	–	–
	801 RV	–	44%	align=center	45%	–	11%
NYT Upshot/Siena College[71]	October 8–11, 2018	593	± 4.2%	align=center	54%	40%	–	6%
Ipsos[72]	October 4–11, 2018	1,108	± 3.4%	align=center	47%	44%	3%	6%
YouGov[73]	October 2–5, 2018	871	± 3.6%	align=center	50%	42%	2%	6%
FOX News[74]	September 29 – October 2, 2018	666 LV	± 3.5%	align=center	48%	43%	3%	7%
	806 RV	± 3.5%	align=center	47%	41%	3%	8%
Garin-Hart-Yang (D-Bredesen)[75]	September 23–25, 2018	600	± 4.0%	45%	align=center	47%	–	–
SurveyMonkey[76]	September 9–24, 2018	1,609	± 3.3%	42%	42%	–	15%
Vox Populi Polling[77]	September 16–18, 2018	567	± 4.1%	49%	align=center	51%	–	–
CNN/SSRS[78]	September 11–15, 2018	723 LV	± 4.3%	45%	align=center	50%	0%	3%
	852 RV	± 3.9%	42%	align=center	50%	0%	5%
Triton Polling & Research (R)[79]	September 10–12, 2018	1,038	± 3.0%	align=center	48%	45%	–	7%
FOX News[80]	September 8–11, 2018	686 LV	± 3.5%	align=center	47%	44%	1%	8%
	809 RV	± 3.5%	align=center	45%	43%	2%	9%
NBC News/Marist[81]	August 25–28, 2018	538 LV	± 5.1%	46%	align=center	48%	<1%	5%
	730 RV	± 4.5%	44%	align=center	48%	<1%	7%
Gravis Marketing[82]	August 9–11, 2018	620	± 3.9%	align=center	48%	44%	–	8%
Emerson College[83]	July 11–14, 2018	657	± 4.1%	37%	align=center	43%	5%	17%
Public Policy Polling (D-Duty and Country PAC)[84]	July 10–11, 2018	583	± 4.1%	41%	align=center	44%	–	15%
WPA Intelligence (R-CDP PAC)[85]	July 9–11, 2018	551	± 4.2%	align=center	38%	35%	–	11%
SurveyMonkey/Axios[86]	June 11 – July 2, 2018	1,010	± 4.5%	align=center	55%	41%	–	4%
Public Policy Polling (D-Health Care Voter)[87]	April 30 – May 1, 2018	609	± 4.0%	43%	align=center	46%	–	–
SurveyMonkey/Axios[88]	April 2–23, 2018	1,638	± 4.0%	47%	align=center	48%	–	5%
Mason-Dixon[89]	April 17–19, 2018	625	± 4.0%	43%	align=center	46%	–	11%
Garin-Hart-Yang (D-Bredesen)[90]	April 9–11, 2018	601	± 4.0%	41%	align=center	51%	–	8%
Middle Tennessee State University[91]	March 22–29, 2018	600	± 4.0%	35%	align=center	45%	–	17%
Public Policy Polling (D-Protect Our Care)[92]	March 15–16, 2018	1,014	± 3.1%	41%	align=center	46%	–	13%
WPA Intelligence (R-CDP PAC)[93]	February 13–15, 2018	500	± 4.4%	align=center	44%	39%	–	17%
Public Opinion Strategies (R)[94]	January 26–29, 2018	–	–	45%	align=center	47%	–	8%
Triton Polling & Research (R)[95]	January 21–24, 2018	1,003	± 3.1%	align=center	51%	40%	–	10%
WPA Intelligence (R-CDP PAC)[96]	December 13–14 & 17, 2017	500	± 4.4%	align=center	43%	34%	–	23%
Gravis Marketing[97]	December 11–12, 2017	563	± 4.1%	40%	align=center	42%	–	18%
Garin-Hart-Yang (D-DSCC)[98]	October 20–22, 2017	601	± 4.1%	41%	align=center	46%	–	13%

with generic Republican and generic Democrat

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Generic Republican	Generic Democrat	Other	Undecided
Triton Polling & Research (R)	September 10–12, 2018	1,038	± 3.0%	align=center	52%	41%	–	7%
Public Policy Polling (D-Protect Our Care)	March 15–16, 2018	1,014	± 3.1%	align=center	51%	41%	–	8%

with Bob Corker

with Stephen Fincher

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Stephen Fincher (R)	Phil Bredesen (D)	Undecided
Triton Polling & Research (R)	January 21–24, 2018	1,004	± 3.1%	38%	align=center	42%	20%
WPA Intelligence (R-CDP PAC)	December 13–14 and 17, 2017	500	± 4.4%	30%	align=center	42%	28%
Gravis Marketing	December 11–12, 2017	563	± 4.1%	38%	align=center	42%	20%

with Clay Travis

with Bob Corker and generic Democrat

Notes and References

1. News: November 6, 2018 . Tennessee Voter Turnout in 2018 . Tennessee Secretary of State . February 28, 2023 .
2. News: Corker says Democrat is ahead in race to succeed him . POLITICO . live . April 18, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180418172622/https://www.politico.com/story/2018/04/18/bob-corker-phil-bredesen-532511 . April 18, 2018.
3. News: Scherer . Michael . Sullivan . Sean . Dawsey . Josh . April 19, 2018 . Razor-thin Senate majority, bloody primary fights hamstring GOP . en-US . The Washington Post . live . April 20, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180420015742/https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/razor-thin-senate-majority-bloody-primary-fights-hamstring-gop/2018/04/19/072b674a-43e4-11e8-8569-26fda6b404c7_story.html . April 20, 2018 . 0190-8286.
4. News: Taylor Swift's Instagram Post Has Caused A Massive Spike In Voter Registration . en . BuzzFeed News . live . October 9, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181009105232/https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/claudiarosenbaum/taylor-swift-voter-registration-spike . October 9, 2018.
5. News: Shake it off: Taylor Swift's political endorsement draws praise, backlash . en . The Tennessean . live . October 9, 2018 . https://archive.today/20200608182632/https://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/2018/10/08/taylor-swift-political-phil-bredesen-endorsement-over-marsha-blackburn-draws-ire-praise/1563331002/ . June 8, 2020.
6. Web site: Chen . Kelly . October 8, 2018 . Mike Huckabee Dismisses Taylor Swift's Political Endorsement Because '13-Year-Old Girls' Can't Vote . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20181012174440/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/taylor-swift-mike-huckabee-endorsement_us_5bbbb081e4b028e1fe404297 . October 12, 2018 . October 13, 2018 . Huff Post.
7. News: Drucker . David M. . October 9, 2018 . Kavanaugh catapults Marsha Blackburn into lead in key Tennessee Senate race . . 2019-03-02.
8. News: Arkin . James . Everett . Burgess . October 11, 2018 . Volunteers bolt Bredesen over Kavanaugh support . . 2019-03-02.
9. News: Blackburn enters Tennessee Senate race, as Haslam passes. Politico. Robillard. Kevin. October 5, 2017. October 5, 2017.
10. Web site: With Bob Corker out of the running, Tennessee Senate race now shifts focus to general election. Collins. Michael. The Tennessean. February 27, 2018. March 14, 2018.
11. News: Former Memphis Dr. Rolando Toyos enters race for Corker's Senate seat. The Commercial Appeal. Poe. Ryan. November 1, 2017. November 2, 2017.
12. News: Larry Crim Announces U.S. Senate 2018 Race For Seat Held By Corker . November 10, 2016 . The Chattanoogan .
13. News: U.S. Senate candidate to rally for Trump today. Herald-Citizen. McReynolds. Lindsay. March 26, 2017. March 26, 2017.
14. News: Conservative activist Andy Ogles launches U.S. Senate bid for seat held by Bob Corker. The Tennessean. Ebert. Joel. Boucher. Dave. September 14, 2017. September 14, 2017.
15. News: Republican Andy Ogles drops out of US Senate race in Tennessee. The Tennessean. Garrison. Joey. November 15, 2017. November 15, 2017.
16. News: Fincher halts U.S. Senate bid, encourages Bob Corker to seek re-election. The Tennessean. 2018-02-16. en.
17. News: Who will jump in race to replace U.S. Sen. Bob Corker? Intrigue starts with Haslam, Blackburn. The Tennessean. Ebert. Joel. Garrison. Joey. September 26, 2017. September 26, 2017.
18. News: Tim Burchett will run for office, which one is anyone's guess. Knoxville News Sentinel. Whetstone. Tyler. May 8, 2017. June 3, 2017.
19. News: Tim Burchett to run for Congress. Knoxville News Sentinel. Whetstone. Tyler. August 2, 2017. August 4, 2017.
20. Web site: Joe Carr considers Republican primary challenge against Sen. Bob Corker. The Tennessean. Garrison. Joey. August 23, 2017. August 23, 2017.
21. Web site: As Corker weighs third Senate term, Green and Carr seriously consider challenges. Chattanooga Times Free Press. Sher. Andy. September 14, 2017. September 14, 2017.
22. Web site: With Blackburn in Senate race, some Tennessee Republicans staying away. Chattanooga Times Free Press. Sher. Andy. October 6, 2017. October 7, 2017.
23. News: State Sen. Mark Green to run for congressional seat U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn is vacating. The Tennessean. Ebert. Joel. Buie. Jordan. October 5, 2017. October 5, 2017.
24. News: Gov. Bill Haslam won't run for retiring U.S. Sen. Bob Corker's seat. The Tennessean. Ebert. Joel. Boucher. Dave. October 5, 2017. October 5, 2017.
25. News: Tennessee congressman says Peyton Manning might be considering a run for Senate. Business Insider. Perticone. Joe. September 26, 2017. September 26, 2017.
26. News: Peyton Manning rules out run for Corker's Senate seat. ABC News. Schelzig. Erik. September 27, 2017. September 27, 2017.
27. News: Sen. Bob Corker will not seek re-election next year. The Tennessean. Collins. Michael. September 26, 2017. September 26, 2017.
28. News: Stephen Fincher halts U.S. Senate bid, encourages Corker to seek re-election. The Tennessean. 2018-03-08. en.
29. News: Corker decides against reelection bid, sticks with retirement. POLITICO. 2018-03-08.
30. Web site: WPA Intelligence (R-Club for Growth).
31. Web site: Triton Polling & Research (R).
32. Web site: TN-Sen: Ragnar Research Partners (R) For American Future Fund Political Action (Feb. 2018) | PDF | Republican Party (United States) | American Government. Scribd.
33. Web site: Poll: Marsha Blackburn holds major lead among GOP voters in matchup against Bob Corker. Joel. Ebert. The Tennessean.
34. Web site: McConnell Not Concerned With Blackburn's Viability. National Journal.
35. https://tennesseestar.com/2017/06/07/poll-senator-bob-corker-may-be-in-trouble-with-tennessee-republican-primary-voters/ Triton/Tennessee Star
36. News: Former Democratic Gov. Phil Bredesen Running for Senate in Tennessee. Roll Call. December 7, 2017. December 7, 2017.
37. News: Ebert. Joel. See who's running for statewide, federal and legislative offices in Tennessee in 2018. 16 May 2018. The Tennessean. April 6, 2018.
38. Web site: Democrat James Mackler drops out of Tennessee US Senate race. Tennessean.
39. News: Sevierville's Bill Bailey aiming for Corker's U.S. Senate seat. The Daily Times. Miller. Amy Beth. September 3, 2017. September 4, 2017.
40. News: Berke tweets support for Bredesen in Senate race. Times Free Press. Sher. Andy. December 7, 2017. December 7, 2017.
41. News: Is Karl Dean's next move a run for governor?. The Tennessean. Garrison. Joey. September 27, 2015. November 22, 2016.
42. Web site: Former Nashville Mayor Karl Dean to run for governor of Tennessee. The Tennessean. Garrison. Joey. February 26, 2017. February 26, 2017.
43. Web site: Karl Dean to show resilience in governor's race. Knoxville News Sentinel. Whetstone. Tyler. September 27, 2017. September 27, 2017.
44. Web site: Democrat Bill Freeman rules out U.S. Senate run; pushes Phil Bredesen as candidate instead. The Tennessean. Garrison. Joey. October 4, 2017. October 4, 2017.
45. News: Democratic state Sen. Jeff Yarbro considers run for U.S. Senate to replace Corker. The Tennessean. Garrison. Joey. September 27, 2017. September 27, 2017.
46. News: Tennessee Democrats recalculate U.S. Senate race with Corker out. The Tennessean. Garrison. Joey. October 9, 2017. October 9, 2017.
47. Web site: Who might replace Corker?. Nashville Post. Wade Gervin. Cari. September 27, 2017. September 28, 2017.
48. Web site: More considering runs for Corker's seat. Nashville Post. Wade Gervin. Cari. September 28, 2017. September 28, 2017.
49. News: Tim McGraw still considering possible future in politics. 2016-11-08. Fox News. 2017-09-28. en-US.
50. Web site: 2018 Senate Race Ratings for October 26, 2018. The Cook Political Report. March 13, 2021.
51. Web site: 2018 Senate Ratings. The Rothenberg Political Report. March 13, 2021.
52. Web site: Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball » 2018 Senate. www.centerforpolitics.org. en-US. 2018-07-27.
53. News: 2018 Election Calendar and Results . The New York Times . January 23, 2018 . January 24, 2018.
54. Web site: 2018 Senate Power Rankings. . July 10, 2018.
55. Web site: Key Races: Senate. 2018-07-27.
56. Web site: Tennessee Senate - Blackburn vs. Bredesen. RealClearPolitics. en. 2018-08-28.
57. News: Daily Kos Elections 2018 race ratings. Daily Kos. 2018-08-18.
58. Web site: Who wins 2018? Predictions for Every House & Senate Election . POLITICO . September 8, 2018.
59. Web site: Tennessee. September 11, 2018 . 2018-11-01.
60. Web site: Campaign finance data. July 27, 2018.
61. Web site: Tennessee Poll: The Race for Senate is Too Close to Call. November 3, 2018. Targoz Market Research.
62. Web site: News & Stories Archives. September 16, 2024. Emerson Today.
63. Web site: Fox News Tennessee Senate Poll 10-31-2018. October 31, 2018. Fox News.
64. Web site: https://poppolling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/TN-Statewide-Topline-Results-10.30.18.pdf. https://web.archive.org/web/20181031052954/https://poppolling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/TN-Statewide-Topline-Results-10.30.18.pdf . October 31, 2018 .
65. Web site: CNN/SSRS.
66. Web site: East Tennessee State University. https://web.archive.org/web/20181105134345/https://www.etsu.edu/cas/sociology/asrl/. dead. November 5, 2018.
67. http://www.cygn.al/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/42501-Cygnal-TN-Toplines.pdf Cygnal (R)
68. Web site: NBC News/Marist.
69. Web site: Vanderbilt University/SSRS.
70. Web site: The Race to Elect Tennessee's Next Senator May be Closer Than Many Expect. October 15, 2018. Targoz Market Research.
71. News: Midterm Election Poll: Tennessee Senate, Blackburn vs. Bredesen. Michael. Andre. Larry. Buchanan. Matthew. Bloch. Jeremy. Bowers. Nate. Cohn. Alastair. Coote. Annie. Daniel. Richard. Harris. Josh. Katz. Rebecca. Lieberman. Blacki. Migliozzi. Paul. Murray. Adam. Pearce. Kevin. Quealy. Eden. Weingart. Isaac. White. October 8, 2018. NYTimes.com.
72. Web site: Blackburn(R) Statistically Tied with Bredesen (D) in the Tennessee Senate Race | Ipsos.
73. Web site: YouGov.
74. Web site: Tennessee poll document 10/3. October 3, 2018. Fox News.
75. Web site: https://www.bredesen.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/1014128-BFS-State-of-Our-Race-Poll-Memos-3.pdf. https://web.archive.org/web/20181015192308/https://www.bredesen.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/1014128-BFS-State-of-Our-Race-Poll-Memos-3.pdf . October 15, 2018 .
76. Web site: SurveyMonkey.
77. Web site: Vox Populi Polling. https://web.archive.org/web/20180920234528/https://poppolling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/TN-Statewide-Survey-Toplines-Sept.-2018.pdf . September 20, 2018 .
78. Web site: CNN/SSRS.
79. Web site: Competing polls show Blackburn, Bredesen with lead. Stephen. Elliott. September 17, 2018. Nashville Post.
80. Web site: FOX News. . September 12, 2018 .
81. Web site: NBC News/Marist.
82. Web site: Gravis Marketing.
83. Web site: Emerson College. https://web.archive.org/web/20180818111042/https://www.emerson.edu/sites/default/files/Files/Academics/ecp-tn-7.16_PR.pdf. dead. August 18, 2018.
84. Web site: Tennessee Senate race poll: Bredesen has lead over Blackburn in Democratic-aligned PAC poll. Joel. Ebert. The Tennessean.
85. Web site: WPA Intelligence (R-CDP PAC). https://web.archive.org/web/20180805112647/https://cdn.baseplatform.io/files/base/scomm/nvp/document/2018/07/blackburn_poll.5b4e04da98368.pdf. dead. August 5, 2018.
86. Web site: Google Drive: Sign-in. accounts.google.com.
87. Web site: TN-Sen PPP For Health Care Voter (May 2018) | PDF | Patient Protection And Affordable Care Act | American Government. Scribd.
88. Web site: Google Drive: Sign-in. accounts.google.com.
89. Web site: Mason-Dixon. .
90. Web site: TN-Sen: Garin-Hart-Yang (D) For Phil Bredesen (April 2018) | PDF | Opinion Poll | Survey Methodology. Scribd.
91. Web site: Bredesen leads Blackburn in open-ended race for U.S. Senate. Ken. Blake. April 5, 2018.
92. Web site: Public Policy Polling (D-Protect Our Care).
93. https://www.committeetodefendthepresident.com/documents/CDP_TN_Brushfire%20Survey_MQ_180215.pdf WPA Intelligence (R-CDP PAC)
94. Web site: Corker weighs his options as GOP frets about losing Tennessee - POLITICO. .
95. Web site: Tennessee politics, news, bill tracking | State Affairs Pro. State Affairs.
96. Web site: Blackburn would beat Bredesen in head-to-head matchup, according to poll from Trump-aligned PAC. Joel. Ebert. The Tennessean.
97. Web site: Gravis Marketing Tennessee poll . Leon . Aprile . https://web.archive.org/web/20181222082211/http://orlando-politics.com/2017/12/14/gravis-marketing-tennessee-poll/ . 2018-12-22.
98. Web site: Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee poll: Bredesen has more support than Blackburn. Joel. Ebert. The Tennessean.
99. Web site: Public Policy Polling (D-Our Lives on the Line). https://web.archive.org/web/20170819021328/http://ourlivesontheline.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Tennessee-PPP-Results.pdf. dead. August 19, 2017.
100. News: Blackburn keeps Tennessee seat in GOP hands. thehill.com. Bolton. Alexander. November 6, 2018. November 7, 2018.
101. Web site: 2018 Tennessee Senate election by Grand Division . August 26, 2018.
102. Web site: DRA 2020. Daves Redistricting.
103. Web site: 2018-11-06 . Tennessee 2018 Senate Results by County . 2023-04-15 . Tennessee Secretary of State . en.