In an article by Governing, UT political scientist Anthony Nownes weighs in on the upcoming U.S. Senate race in Tennessee. Former Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen joins a group of 16 former governors who have run since 2000. Their campaigns – failed or otherwise – offer insight into his chances in 2018.
“I do think that Bredesen is vulnerable to the same forces that hamstring former governors who run for federal office.” says Nownes. “And this state is, in my opinion, even more conservative now than it was when Bredesen was government. He faces an uphill climb.”
That said, Nownes and others suggest it’s far too early to write off Bredesen for senator.