Republicans last year gained majorities in both chambers of the Tennessee General Assembly for the first time in 140 years. But their advantage in the House was a single seat, and the chamber was cast into turmoil when one Republican sided with all 49 Democrats to be elected speaker.
The House District 62 election pits Republican Pat Marsh, the co-founder of Shelbyville-based trucking company Big G Express, against Democrat Ty Cobb, a UPS driver and brother of the last person to hold the seat that represents all of Bedford County, most of Lincoln County and parts of Rutherford County.
Republicans hope a win would cement their majority in the chamber and give notice that more historically Democratic seats could be endangered when all 99 House members stand for election next year.
State Democrats, meanwhile, have made winning back the House their top objective — a task that would become all the more difficult if Cobb fails.
Republicans hold a comfortable 19-14 majority in the Senate, so who controls the House will have a major effect on redistricting of legislative and congressional seats after the 2010 census.
Given the high stakes of the special election, both parties have been pouring resources into the race and leading attacks on their opponent's credentials.
Democrats have sought to draw attention to tax troubles for Marsh's company, while Republicans have hammered at labor endorsements for Cobb.
Republicans also have sought to downplay Cobb's endorsement by Tennessee Right to Life. Sen. Jim Tracy of Shelbyville said the endorsement will have no effect on the outcome of the race. "I don't think it's hurt at all," he said. "The endorsements are only as good as what some people think."
But Tracy quickly added that Cobb has been endorsed by the Service Employees International Union, "which is affiliated with ACORN," a community group under fire over a set of videotapes made by conservative activists that show employees offering advice about how to establish a brothel with underage prostitutes.
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