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Voter Guide: 2026 Midterm General Election • Tennessee

From Tennessee Lookout | Keeping our eyes on the Volunteer State

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Sitting here at the end of a damn long day with a UT win, a Diet Sundrop and a fine hunting dog, I consider lines from today that didn't make prime time writing:

During President Donald Trump's second visit to Tennessee in as many weeks, he urged support for U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, called Democrats "communists and socialists" and praised the Memphis Safe Task Force, among other goodies.

Trump touts Memphis law enforcement surge in Tennessee rally meant to shore up midterm support • Tennessee Lookout

In Clarksville, Tennessee, President Donald Trump touted a Memphis law enforcement surge at a rally meant to shore up midterm support.

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The rainy remnants of Hurricane Isaias didn’t deter Tennessee Republicans from turning out Saturday to hear President Donald Trump decry state Democrats as “communists” and “socialists,” and praise Tennessee’s federal delegation and the success of the Memphis Safe Task Force.

Trump touts Memphis law enforcement surge in Tennessee rally meant to shore up midterm support • Tennessee Lookout

In Clarksville, Tennessee, President Donald Trump touted a Memphis law enforcement surge at a rally meant to shore up midterm support.

tennesseelookout.com

I think we are wrapping up in Clarksville, 90 minutes into Trump's speech.

Trump just said Iranians are "f---ing crazy."

Trump says America's poverty is the lowest it's ever been: "African American poverty, Hispanic poverty, Native American poverty is at the lowest it's ever been."

Trump just took the stage at 3:16. Who called it. To "I'm Proud To Be An American."

Holly McCall@jhollymc.bsky.social · yesterday

Good morning. Your @tennesseelookout.com team is in Clarksville today covering President Donald Trump's visit. We were denied media credentials but there's more than one way to skin a cat. Doors at FM Bank Arena opened at 11; Trump is scheduled to speak at 2:30 which in political time is 3:15.

"Should your hard earned tax dollars support those bums who keep having kid after kid?" says Kid Rock.

"No religious cult or ideology gets to override our constitution," says Kid Rock. "I oppose communism. I oppose socialism. I oppose Islamic extremists." "Is Islam a religion?" Crowd screams, "NOOOOO." "Is it an ideology?" "NOOOOO."

Omg. Kid Rock is on stage before Trump in Clarksville. Starts off by dissing the media and the crowd is booing. "I believe the media has become Public Media #1. A liberal agenda packaged as honest reporting."

US Sen. Marsha Blackburn, the Republican gubernatorial nominee, too the stage to "9 to 5" by Dolly Parton. Calls opponent Jerri Green a "radical socialist" and characterizes independent candidates David Hatley as Democrats. "I'm the only conservative Republican in the race," she says.

US Rep. Tim Burchett says "socialism has infected every aspect of American life," including higher education. As a reminder, his dad, Charlie Burchett, was a beloved dean of student affairs at the University of Tennessee.

Second Congressional District US Rep. Tim Burchett is speaking and has a) gotten the most applause and b) said "dadgum" twice already.

In Clarksville, event advance staff is shifting people in seats to make FM Arena look fuller. @tennesseelookout.com

Sen. Brent Taylor, wearing a baseball cap, stage to "Back in Black." "Everywhere my opponent goes, chaos ensued," he says of Democratic Rep. Justin J. Pearson.

FM Bank Arena in Clarksville, 1:36 pm. The Arena seats 6,000. I'm estimating 4,000 here.

Charlie Hatcher, 5th Congressional District GOP nominee is speaking. "President Trump would have been a good farmer. He works hard. He gets things done. And he does for others. He could be on the golf course all the time but he's not."

Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton says thanks to Trump and Memphis Safe Task Force, "the worst-ridden blue city in America is now the safest. . . Children can now ride their bikes."

Don't read too much into this as people have until 1 pm to get inside, but here's FM Bank Arena in Clarksville at 12:13.

The FM arena is filling with Tennessee lawmakers. Spotted: Sen. Brent Taylor, the Republican nominee for 9th Congressional District nominee and Sen. Paul Bailey, a candidate for lieutenant governor.

One hour before the pre-Trump program starts in Clarksville. The music has included Dolly's "Jolene," "Don't Cry For Me Argentina" from "Evita," and Elvis singing "Can't Help Falling In Love With You."

At Trump rally in Clarksville for @tennesseelookout.com and ran into Rep. Johnny Garrett, Republican 6th Congressional District nominee, standing in line with the regular Joes. "I am (a regular Joe,)" he said.

Good morning. Your @tennesseelookout.com team is in Clarksville today covering President Donald Trump's visit. We were denied media credentials but there's more than one way to skin a cat. Doors at FM Bank Arena opened at 11; Trump is scheduled to speak at 2:30 which in political time is 3:15.

President Donald Trump on Friday appeared to leave open the possibility that the federal government won’t livestream a military execution planned for December that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had said would be public. From @jonshorman.bsky.social.

Trump may backtrack on livestreamed execution of Fort Hood shooter • Tennessee Lookout

President Donald Trump on Friday appeared to leave open the possibility that the federal government won’t livestream a military execution.

tennesseelookout.com

“It's supposed to stop your breathing,” said Dr. Joel Zivot.“ But it's supposed to stop it in your brain. This is different. I think the caustic nature of the solution is separate from what's killing you." Christa Pike's failed execution exposes the grim science of lethal injection.

A survived execution in Tennessee exposes the grim science of lethal injection • Tennessee Lookout

The survived execution of Tennessee death row inmate Christa Pike has exposed the grim science of lethal injection.

tennesseelookout.com

A federal judge will rule in the coming days on whether the Trump administration can legally rescind White House press passes for journalists at three news organizations, or if those reporters will be able to continue accessing the grounds while the case continues.

Judge extends temporary access to White House for news organizations Trump banned • Tennessee Lookout

A federal judge will rule soon on ifhe Trump administration can legally rescind White House press passes for journalists at three news outlets.

tennesseelookout.com

ICYMI: Two Democratic governors with presidential aspirations are spending money and time in Tennessee to boost the party’s U.S. House candidates ahead of the November midterm election.

Out-of-state Dem govs with 2028 ambitions are working to boost TN US House candidates • Tennessee Lookout

Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s PAC, Ready for the Fight, has bought around $1.6 million in television ads attacking Tennessee GOP candidate Brent Taylor.

tennesseelookout.com

The grim science of lethal injection.

Tennessee Lookout@tennesseelookout.com · 2d ago

“It's supposed to stop your breathing,” said Dr. Joel Zivot.“ But it's supposed to stop it in your brain. This is different. I think the caustic nature of the solution is separate from what's killing you." Christa Pike's failed execution exposes the grim science of lethal injection.