Tennessee Republicans Have Nothing to Offer — So They Cheat

This week on Talking Politics with Mom, we sat down with Tennessee congressional candidate, Victoria Broderick, who is running as an unapologetic progressive in a state Republicans love to write off as “deep red,” but as she explains in this episode: Tennessee isn’t a red state - it's an abandoned state - it’s a voter-suppressed state. We talked about Republican gerrymandering, attacks on voting rights, purging voters from the rolls, and the way the GOP keeps people disengaged while corporate politicians abandon working-class communities. Victoria breaks down why young voters, disillusioned Democrats, independents, and even some Republicans are starting to rally behind authentic candidates who actually speak to people’s real struggles instead of repeating consultant-approved talking points.

We also got into what it means to run a grassroots progressive campaign in the South while the Republican Party doubles down on culture war distractions, Medicaid cuts, attacks on reproductive freedom, and billionaire tax breaks. Victoria talks openly about why she refuses to water down her message just to chase conservative approval, and why voters are responding to someone who sounds like a real person instead of another polished political robot. From healthcare and economic inequality to Roe v. Wade, labor rights, voter turnout, and the future of democracy in Tennessee, this episode is for anyone frustrated with establishment politics and looking for candidates who actually want structural change.

One of the biggest takeaways for me was hearing someone from a heavily gerrymandered Southern district say flat-out that Democrats can compete in places they’ve abandoned - if they stop running scared and start giving people something real to vote for. Victoria’s story is inspiring: working mom, activist, progressive organizer, no corporate PAC money, and now taking on one of the most entrenched Republicans in Tennessee politics.

Drop a comment with your thoughts, subscribe to Talking Politics with Mom, and make sure to share this episode with anyone who still thinks progressive politics can’t make a difference in the South.