Shaundelle Brooks won a narrow primary victory over Tyler Brasher to secure the Democratic nomination for Tennessee House District 60. Previously held by Darren Jernigan, the seat includes parts of Hermitage, Donelson and Old Hickory.
The Tennessee Democratic Party can’t directly weigh in on a primary, where voters select candidates for the general election in November, but its most visible elected officials split their support between Brooks and Brasher. District demographics look a lot like areas near Murfreesboro and Clarksville, battleground suburbs where Democrats hope to make headway against Republicans’ supermajority in the state legislature.
Shaundelle Brooks and Tyler Brasher face off in proxy party battle
Several prominent statewide Democrats, led by state Rep. Justin Jones (D-Nashville), lined up behind Brooks, a Black single mother who earned national attention for her efforts to address gun violence. Brooks’ son, Akila DaSilva, was killed in a mass shooting at an Antioch Waffle House in 2018, an event that drove her to electoral politics.
“Raising my kids as a single mom, having to pay rent and bills on one income, how can I be a single-issue person?” Brooks told the Scene on the campaign trail. “I’m trying to give my kids a decent life. Daily, I’m coming into contact with the school system, the health care system, insurance companies and gun violence. I stand up for people. I fight for people who don’t have a voice.”
Brasher touted his experience in neighborhood politics and brought on Metro Councilmember Jordan Huffman as campaign manager. While Jernigan, a popular incumbent, did not publicly take a side — he currently holds a post in Mayor Freddie O’Connell’s administration as the mayor’s state House whisperer — Brasher won over his household, scoring an endorsement from Jernigan’s wife Michelle.
Brooks will face Republican Chad Bobo, a former staffer for House Speaker Cameron Sexton, in the general election on Nov. 5.
More State and Federal Primaries
Former Nashville Mayor Megan Barry, unopposed in the Democratic primary, advanced to the Nov. 5 general election for Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District. She will face incumbent U.S. Rep. Mark Green, a high-ranking Republican once considered for a position in former President Donald Trump’s cabinet.
Incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. John Rose will face Democrat Lore Bergman, a political newcomer, in the general election for Tennessee’s 6th Congressional District, which includes parts of Davidson County. Bergman eked past Clay Faircloth and Cyril Focht in the Democratic Primary.
With the exception of House District 60, Davidson County’s Democratic delegation will likely stay intact. Nashville Reps. Aftyn Behn (House District 51), Justin Jones (House District 52), Harold Love Jr. (House District 58), Bo Mitchell (House District 50), Jason Powell (House District 53), Vincent Dixie (House District 54), John Ray Clemmons (House District 55) and Caleb Hemmer (House District 59) move on to November after unopposed primary races. Rep. Bob Freeman cruised past minimal opposition in House District 56, which he has represented since 2018.
State Sen. Heidi Campbell will also defend her seat in November after running an uncontested primary in state Senate District 20. She'll take on Wyatt Rampy, who was unopposed in the Republican primary.
