Bad for Democracy

Adam Groves reports that over 40% of state representatives in Tennessee are running unopposed for re-election. As the primary form of accountability for elected officials comes in the form of elections, this cannot be considered a good thing.

Of course, this partly comes about because Tennessee legislators, like those in other states, have taken an increasingly aggressive role in selecting their own voters through gerrymandering. Because Democrats and Republicans conspire to draw "safe" districts, there are fewer competitive elections, even at a time when voters across the political spectrum are fed up and inclined to "throw the bums [incumbents] out."