Negative campaigning failed to be a ticket to office in the House District 30 Republican primary, while the District 28 Democratic primary winner Yusuf Hakeem won handily in a five-person race.
In District 30, Esther Helton, 56, a nurse for 36 years and an East Ridge City Council member, surmounted a forceful barrage of attacks from Jonathan Mason, 33, a client specialist at Unum. She won by 140 votes.
In a statement, Helton said that “people over politics prevailed tonight.”
“I am so honored that through this diversity the voters of District 30 understand that it’s more important to provide results over lies and dirty politics. I look forward to solving the problems of healthcare, education and creating jobs for Tennesseans.”
Mason could not be reached for comment at press time Thursday night.