How Tennessee Dems have fared in governor races - Axios NashvilleLog InLog InAxios Nashville is an Axios company.

How Tennessee Democrats have fared in governor races

Data: Tennessee Secretary of State; Chart: Axios VisualsIn the 16 years since Gov. Phil Bredesen won re-election with 69% of the vote, Tennessee Democrats have failed to seriously compete in a gubernatorial race. Why it matters: While border states like North Carolina and Georgia have morphed into the nation's preeminent battlegrounds, Tennessee has grown more conservative.Jason Martin, a Middle Tennessee doctor running for governor, is trying to turn things around for Democrats. By the numbers: Former Nashville Mayor Karl Dean won 39% of the vote four years ago, the high watermark for state Democrats in the post-Bredesen era. Flashback: Prior to Dean, political unknown Charlie Brown won 23% in 2014. Mike McWherter mustered 33% in 2010. Bill Haslam, a Republican, won both of those elections. Zoom out: Incumbent Republican Gov. Bill Lee is seen as the heavy favorite with early voting for the Nov. 8 election already underway.Lee has Martin and has led an uneventful re-election campaign devoid of rallies or stump speeches. His ads tout Tennessee's low taxes and emphasis on educating for skilled trades. What he's saying: Martin has called the race "absolutely winnable," per the . He has been critical of Lee's approach to a wide range of policies, including abortion and charter schools.A campaign spokesperson tells Axios in an emailed statement that Martin has "built a policy prescription for prosperity that benefits ALL Tennesseans." Get more local stories in your inbox with .Subscribe Support local journalism by becoming a member.

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