With less than two weeks until polls close, Tennessee Republicans are hoping to secure key wins that could give them a super majority in the state legislature.
Currently, there are 64 Republicans in the House. The party only needs two more seats to reach a two-thirds super majority. There are currently 34 Democrats and one Independent.
The situation is similar in the Senate: 20 Republicans have the majority over 13 Democrats. A super majority would only take two more GOP wins.
Former Knox County GOP Chairman Ray Jenkins says a super majority would make it easier to advance a conservative agenda. He pointed to the legislative gridlock in Wisconsin earlier this year to explain how it works.
"When Democrats didn't like what was going on and they left, the Wisconsin legislature couldn't have a quorum. This way if the Democrats decide to walk out on the Republicans, they still have a quorum and they can conduct business and pass bills," Jenkins said.
Party leaders on both sides are working to influence the outcome. The District 13 House seat had long been a Democratic stronghold, but incumbent Harry Tindell is retiring.
Now Republican Gary Loe, Democrat Gloria Johnson, and Independent Nick Cazana are competing for the seat.
Johnson said the threat of a super majority in the legislature could spell problems for the state.
"When you have an unbalanced legislative group, you have a group that can pretty much push through anything they want to push through," she said.
She plans to keep her team working until election night.
"My district is not as red as people think it is. So, it's a great shot and we've got a lot of support from across the aisle."