WASHINGTON — As voters went to the polls on Election Day, they decided more than who they wanted to sit in their local governments. They also decided who they wanted to be their party's nominee for federal seats in the House of Representatives.
There were two primary races with candidates competing for a chance at a seat.
In many other primary races across the state, candidates were running unopposed. For example, in Tennessee's District 2, Mark Harmon ran unopposed on the Democrat ballot and Tim Burchett is running unopposed on the Republican ballot.
Below are the unofficial results for two races that were decided in East Tennessee.
U.S. House District 3 Republican Primary: Chuck Fleischmann secures nomination
Republican Chuck Fleischmann was able to defend his spot as the party's nominee from Sandy Casey with 79% of the vote Thursday night. The Associated Press called the race shortly after early voting results arrived.
The district has around 767,000 people, according to the 2020 Census. It includes large stretches of land between Crossville and Knoxville, stretching down to Chattanooga. It also includes Oak Ridge but does not include most of Knoxville.
U.S. House District 6 Democrat Primary: Randal Cooper secures nomination
Meanwhile, Randal Cooper will represent Democrats in the November midterm election for U.S. House District 6 after defeating Clay Faircloth with 75% of the vote. The Republican candidate in that race will be John Rose, the incumbent who ran unopposed in his party's primary election.
The district covers a large swath of land in most of Middle Tennessee. It includes cities like Sparta, Crossville, Smithville, Cookeville, Jamestown and Manchester. However, it specifically does not include Nashville or Murfreesboro.
It also has around 767,000 people, according to the 2020 Census.