First In Line: Tennessee

Tennessee Republicans have turned the statehouse into a laboratory for some of the most extreme legislation in the country. They can do it because they've mastered the art of making Democrats feel like there's no point in fighting back.

There is.

Tennessee Democrats are passionate, determined, and persistent. They just don't always know there are others like them — often just down the street. People who've been so conditioned not to bring up politics that they don't realize their neighbor feels exactly the same way.

The candidates running for state legislature in Tennessee's toughest districts are building the community that changes that. They're knocking on doors, starting conversations, and showing people they're not alone.

First In Line funds them — getting resources to candidates before the primary, when it matters most.

Every State Blue's Blue Tennessee project funds nominees after the primary using our bathtub model — starting with the candidates who have the least and filling everyone's bucket until the funds run out. First In Line works differently: we get funds to candidates before the primary, as long as they don't have a primary challenger. If a candidate does have a primary opponent, the winner will be added to the next round after the primary is over.

Our goal is $2,500 per candidate – enough for yard signs, postcards, and gas money – basics that make the difference between a real campaign and just a name on a ballot.

These candidates are showing up and running hard in some of the hardest places. Let's make sure they know they're not doing it alone.

We fund in rounds: uncontested districts first, then Solid R, Likely R, and Lean R. Once a round hits its goal, the next opens. A candidate not listed may not yet qualify for this round, may still have a primary, or may not have an ActBlue page set up.

Your gift splits evenly among recipients. Click "customize amounts" to adjust.

Learn more at everystateblue.org/first-in-line