Sacrificial lamb found for Democrats in TN-03

After Democratic candidates dropped like flies in the third district, Brenda Short has decided to take one for the Democratic team.

Democrats dropping like flies in TN-03

Yikes.

NASHVILLE — Chattanooga businessman Brent Benedict, the only Democrat left in Tennessee’s 3rd Congressional District race, is dropping out of the contest, citing family and business considerations.

“I have decided that it is in my best interests not to run for Congress at this time,” Mr. Benedict said in a statement on his campaign Web site. “This is a difficult decision for me, but I have always believed family comes first.”

The announcement by Mr. Benedict, who previously said he was running an “under the radar” campaign, leaves no Democrat at all in the contest to succeed U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp, R-Tenn., who is not seeking reelection in order to run for governor.

In late November, former state Commerce and Insurance Commissioner Paula Flowers of Oak Ridge dropped out of the Democratic primary.

Paula Flowers bows out of 3rd district race

Today Democrat Paula Flowers, candidate for U.S. Congress in Tennessee's 3rd district, dropped out of the race:

After a great deal of reflection and prayer, together with my family, I have decided to end my campaign for Tennessee's 3rd District Congressional seat. Time demands and constant absences from home necessary for this campaign have a tremendous impact on my family, and my family's needs must be my first priority. This decision has been a difficult one. I treasure my prior experience in public service, and I look forward to serving again in the future. My family and I thank everyone who supported me in this campaign. Your prayers and encouragement have meant so much to us."

Sad. I liked this woman. She seemed like she wasn't afraid to be a progressive and be vocal about it at the same time.

As Humphrey on the Hill notes, Brent Benedict is now the only Democrat in the race. That doesn't mean that someone else won't join in the coming weeks, though. In general though, Democrats are going to be fighting an uphill battle in this district. It is, after all, "Wamp Country".