TENNESSEE, USA — UPDATE 8/6/20 at 10 p.m. The AP says Marquita Bradshaw wins the Democratic Senate primary in Tennessee. She will face Republican Bill Hagerty in the November election.
The progressive Democrat defeated her opponents with a grassroots campaign that had no paid staff and less than $20,000.
She will be the first Black woman to represent either party in a U.S. Senate race from Tennessee.
"When we entered this race, many told us we didn't have a place here. And hardworking Tennesseans said different tonight," she said.
"We did it. This was not Marquita by herself. With less than $25,000 we beat a $1 million budget because people lent their resources and worked their networks," she said.
Bradshaw grew up in South Memphis and graduated from the University of Memphis.
According to her website, she has extensive experience in the environmental justice movement and says she's an advocate for human rights.
On her Facebook page, she says "The US Senate does not represent all of the voices in the United States. Marginalized groups need representation, and that is why I am running. When investments are made in these communities, we make them healthy and safe– strengthening America."
She's a single mom to one son.
UPDATE: 8/6/20 at 9:10 p.m. The top three candidates are in a tight race with 21% of precincts reporting.
Right now, Marquita Bradshaw is leading with 31% of the vote, followed by Robin Kimbrough with 27% and James Mackler with 26%.
Original story
There are five candidates in the running for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in Tennessee.
The winner of the Aug. 6 primary election will go on to face the winner of the Republican primary in November. The winner of that election will replace U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander, a Republican, who is retiring.
The candidates are: Marquita Bradshaw, Gary G. Davis, Robin Kimbrough, James Mackler and Mark Pickrell.
The candidates:
James Mackler has raised the most money and is the presumed front-runner in the race. He is an attorney and Iraq War veteran from Nashville.
Marquita Bradshaw, from Memphis, lists extensive experience in the environmental justice movement and says she's an advocate for human rights.
Gary G. Davis of Nashville has several previous runs for U.S. Senate. No campaign website can be found.
Robin Kimbrough worked as an Assistant Attorney General in Tennessee's Attorney General Office in Nashville. She also served as Associate General Counsel for the Tennessee Department of Children's Services.
Mark Pickrell was born and raised in Oak Ridge but is now an attorney in Nashville. He's worked for a federal judge in Kentucky and a law firm in New York City.