First-time candidate Claire Jones secured the Democratic nomination for state House District 61 on Thursday night and will now face incumbent Republican D61 Rep. Gino Bulso (R-Brentwood) in November.
Thursday night’s unofficial results show Jones earned 2,415 votes, with Kosack earning 939. Jones earned 1,539 of those votes during early voting, while Kosack earned 661.
“We need unity right now, because it's gonna take unity to take on Gino Bulso,” Jones told The News, adding that she has already raised more than $130,000 and will run a “grassroots” and "boots-on-the-ground" campaign aimed at earning the votes of Democrats, Independents and Republicans.
“I think that traditional Republicans are going to meet us on our platform, because our platform is common sense,” Jones said.
“I don't think there's anything extreme or crazy about wanting to keep kids safe from gun violence; I don't think there's anything crazy or extreme in wanting our public schools to stay well funded and to make sure that we're not going backwards with book bans," Jones continued. "I think that it's not extreme to say that women's reproductive rights should be championed and the access to IVF and contraceptive care should be codified, and just access in general to health care.”
Jones decided to run for the House seat following last year's Covenant School shooting and earned several endorsements including from Moms Demand Action and Democrats Serve.
Kurt Kosack
Kosack, a school teacher, veteran and first-time candidate, promoted a self-described “unorthodox” proposal that “every elected official” in Tennessee should work three days a year as substitute teachers in public schools.
“Congratulations to Claire,” Kosack said in a statement to The News. “She has my full support and I urge all those who voted for me to support her in any way possible. It is now time for all District 61 voters who value common sense and rational, compassionate government to unite and vote out politicians who are not listening and representing District 61 voters.”