Democrat Andrae McGary was surprisingly nose to nose to Republican Todd Gardenhire in early returns in Senate District 10 - which was drawn by Republican legislators as a GOP stronghold. But Gardenhire built a lead as the night wore on and won his first elected office.
The City Council member and former Talk Radio host had 27,854 votes and Gardenhire 25,550 in early returns in Hamilton County. However, Gardenhire had a big margin in Bradley County's early voting. Gardenhire wound up with a whopping 10,245 to 2,509 margin in Bradley County - the most Republican county in the state.
Overall, Gardenhire was up 36,540 to 30,740 as the final returns came in.
Mr. Gardenhire, a stockbroker and longtime GOP activist, had won by a slim margin over businessman Greg Vital in the primary.
Tennessee Senate District 10
Bradley
|
| Todd Gardenhire |
Republican |
10,245 |
80.33% |
| Andrae' McGary |
Democratic |
2,509 |
19.67% |
Hamilton
|
| Andrae' McGary |
Democratic |
28,231 |
51.78% |
| Todd Gardenhire |
Republican |
26,295 |
48.22% |
Totals
|
| Todd Gardenhire |
Republican |
36,540 |
54.31% |
| Andrae' McGary |
Democratic |
30,740 |
45.69% |