Republicans sweep local, statewide elections



Political newcomer Bill Lee cruised to an easy victory over former Nashville mayor Karl Dean to win the election to be the next governor of Tennessee on Tuesday.

Lee, a Republican, captured 59.59 percent of the votes while Democrat Dean came in with 38.53 percent. Lee won Cannon County with 3,473 votes (74.58 percent) compared to Dean's 1,157 (24.84 percent)

Also on Tuesday, Marsha Blackburn will become the first woman senator from the state as she defeated former governor Phil Bredesen. Blackburn captured 54.74 percent of the vote total statewide while Bredesen came in at 43.89 percent.

Blackburn defeated Bredesen in Cannon County 3,198 (68.85 percent) to 1,380 (29.71 percent).

John Rose was elected to replace Diane Black as the representative for United States House of Representatives District 6. Rose, a Republican, garnered 69.48 percent of the district-wide vote while Democrat Dawn Barlow was second with 28.29 percent. Rose won Cannon County with 3,043 votes compared to Barlow's 1,001.

In races for state offices, Republicans Mark Pody and Clark Boyd each sailed to easy wins over their Democrat opponents for Tennessee Senate District 17 and Tennessee House District 46, respectively.

Pody was reelected by defeating Mary Alice Carfi 53,290 to 22,418 with the Cannon County results coming in as 3,435 for Pody and 1,089 for Carfi. Pody had won a special election over Carfi last December after Mae Beavers resigned to run for governor.

Boyd, who was appointed in January to finish a House term vacated by Pody, won his first election by beating Mark Cagle 17,582 to 6,530. Boyd also handily won Cannon County, 3,303 to 1,074.

Total votes cast during the election in Cannon County was 4,691, with 2,199 cast early or by absentee. Election Day turnout was 2,492.