The latest news out of Tennessee today courtesy of Gravis Marketing’s latest poll:

As 2017 wraps up, attention now turns to 2018 and states like Tennessee. Bob Corker’s announcement to retire and not seek a third term has left an open seat. Democrats were able to convince former Governor Phil Bredesen to join the race. Doug Kaplan, the managing partner of Gravis Marketing said, “Bredesen, a former Governor, is a formidable candidate.” While Tennessee has become even more Republican since Bredesen won his second term in 2006 by 38.86%, he won every one of Tennessee’s 95 counties. His worst performing county was Hancock, where he won by 4.23%. For comparison, Donald Trump carried Hancock county by a wide 68.18% margin. In 2006, Bob Corker won Hancock county by 21.16%.

Moving over to the Republican side, “Blackburn is the favorite to win” says Doug Kaplan, President of Gravis Marketing “Our poll found that Peyton Manning would perform best for the GOP against Bredesen. Manning, however, is not likely to join the race.”

Bredesen holds a slim 42%-40% lead over Marsha Blackburn. His lead currently rests on Democrats solidifying their support behind him 87%-4%, while Republicans are only behind Blackburn by a 68%-16% margin with about twice as many undecideds as there are on the Democratic side. Independents back Bredesen by a 40%-30% split. Manning, however, holds a 44%-39% lead over Bredesen. Democrats maintain similar support for Bredesen against Manning, but Republicans coalesce behind Manning 73%-16%, and Independents flip to Manning 45%-23%. Kaplan asks, “Will the GOP push Manning after seeing these results?”