NASHVILLE, Tenn. -
One of the more intriguing races that will be decided Thursday night is the Republican primary between one of the top leaders in the Tennessee House and a challenger heavily funded by the gun rights groups like the National Rifle Association (NRA).
Few would have expected such a challenge for Debra Maggart who chairs the caucus for the Republican majority in the House, but that was before she was seen as not supporting a gun bill during the legislative session.
Those actions that angered second amendment advocates led them to find an opponent named Courtney Rogers.
"I think that race is a dead heat based on polling I have seen and polling I know the other side has seen," said local conservative talk show host Steve Gill, who is supporting Rogers.
At issue was a bill that would have allowed gun owners to carry weapons in vehicles at their workplaces.
Some large employers like Vanderbilt University saw it as a conflict with property rights.
Maggart did too, reflecting the view of fellow Republicans Gov. Bill Haslam and Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey.
Not long after that, Rogers, a retired Air Force Lt. Colonel declared her candidacy to challenge Maggart.
She has received at least $75,000 dollars in support from the NRA.
"We were really surprised that the gun lobby would put that kind of money in the race," Maggart told Nashville's News 2 Wednesday night.
"I have never voted against the NRA, I did not vote to kill their bill, did not do it single handedly like they have said, but property rights are important and that is what this has been about," said the Republican leader.
Maggart maintained that she has been a "good conservative" for the heavily Republican district in the Nashville suburbs.
Gill said a Rogers win would send shock waves to Tennessee's Capitol Hill.
"They went all in for her, the governor went all in for her, even until the last minute, and that kind of Texas hold 'em will cause them to rethink their hand if Rogers wins, even if it's close," contends Gill.
Rogers declined an interview Wednesday saying she wanted to spend time with non-committed voters, but the campaign released the following statement from the candidate.
"I have distinguished myself in leadership for two decades in the Air Force and Air National Guard. I am a trained analyst capable of working with stakeholders in policy and creating a constitutional outcome. I have worked in negotiating with despots and with my colleagues and am fully trained in bringing people together. I have demonstrated by willingness to serve in the Sumner Public Schools and in the Sumner Humane Society. My history is a history of service and I am prepared to take that into public service," said Rogers in the statement.
Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday.
