The State of Tennessee's Broken Legislature and Ousted Lawmakers

State legislatures around the country, plagued by partisan division, uncompetitive races, and gerrymandering, reflect the current pressures on democracy. Nationwide, candidates for roughly four of every 10 state legislative seats run unopposed in general elections. The lack of competition means incumbent lawmakers face few consequences for their conduct. And their legislative actions are driven in large part by the fraction of partisans who determine their fates in primary elections, the only political contests where they face serious opposition.