Who knows how this fall’s election will go for Tennessee Democrats. Probably not great! But in her first major election cycle, the Tennessee Democratic Party chair has done something her recent predecessors never seemed able to pull off: She has convinced a lot of people, and a lot of women in particular, to run as Democrats in Tennessee. Turns out that’s an important part of the process if Tennessee Democrats are to return to anything resembling their previous presence on Capitol Hill. Mancini has harnessed what’s left of Democratic political talent in the state, whether behind the scenes or on the ballot, and given beleaguered Democrats in this state something to at least consider getting excited about. That’s something. STEVEN HALE
Best Democrat
Mary Mancini
