Democrats lay foundation in GOP stronghold

FRANKLIN, Tenn. — Patricia Linder is the kind of undecided voter Democrats are looking for.

The Tennessee retiree lives just outside Nashville in Williamson County, the type of suburban territory where Democrats have made gains in other states since President Donald Trump was elected in 2016. As Democrats around the country push hard to take over the majority of the seats in a Republican-held Congress, they also believe they can lay the groundwork here to have a fighting chance in future races — including 2020, when Trump is expected to seek re-election.

While many of Linder’s neighbors are entrenched Republicans, she’s receptive when campaign volunteers come to make a pitch for Democratic congressional candidate Justin Kanew, who’s running for an open seat against Republican Mark Green, a state senator and former Army doctor.

Michele Bewley, a volunteer for the progressive voting advocacy group Indivisible, tells Linder, 68, that Kanew is approachable and will look out for regular folks.

“Justin sounds like he’s in good shape,” said Linder, a registered Democrat who has voted Republican before and is impressed with Green’s military service. “I want somebody that I can talk to. It will be a tough decision.”

Williamson County boasts a good public school system and a country-club feel from its subdivisions with large homes and manicured lawns, upscale stores, clean streets and low crime. Republicans point to the high quality of life here, saying the local economy has flourished on their watch.

Democrats know they face an uphill battle for a Nov. 6 victory in the 7th District, one of three races for open House seats currently held by Republicans, but they hope misgivings about Trump run deeper than it may appear.

Kanew, a film producer and former “Amazing Race” contestant, and Green are vying for the seat vacated when Republican Marsha Blackburn decided to run for U.S. Senate after 16 years in the House.