Election results live blog

USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee | Knoxville

Tennessee held its federal and state primary elections and county general elections Thursday.

Follow this blog for the latest election news and results.

MORE ELECTION RESULTS: In Knox County | In the rest of Tennessee

Polls opened at 8 a.m. and closed at 8 p.m. ET.

Knox County general election

Shortly before 10 p.m. all precincts in Knox County had reported complete, unofficial results.

In the Knox County mayor race, Republican Glenn Jacobs defeated Democratic opponent Linda Haney with about 66 percent of the vote.

Here’s a clip from his speech. pic.twitter.com/oeA85HefBp — Travis Dorman (@travdorman) August 3, 2018

In a victory speech after early voting results were announced, Jacobs thanked Haney and asked people to give her a round of applause. He said when he first announced he was going to run for mayor, he was met with “pretty astounding laughter” among the political establishment.

“That made me want it even more,” said Jacobs, whose WWE wrestling name is “Kane.”

Congratulations to my friend and new Knox County, TN Mayor @GlennJacobsTN! — Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) August 3, 2018

Haney, the Democratic nominee for Knox County mayor, had not conceded, despite Jacobs’ declaring victory after a large lead in early voting tallies.

“We’re not done yet," Haney said. "And I’m not going to say anything until all the votes are in, and I think that’s a fair way to do it in a democracy.”

More: Glenn Jacobs, aka WWE pro wrestler Kane, declares victory in Knox County mayoral race

In the Farragut mayor race, Ron Williams defeated Bob Markli with 52 percent of the vote.

Williams will succeed Mayor Ron Pinchok, who previously served as Farragut's vice mayor. Pinchok transitioned into the role of mayor about a month ago to complete the term of mayor Ralph McGill, who died June 25 shortly after stepping down because of health concerns.

“I’d like to really thank the Farragut voters for their confidence in electing me," Williams said, also crediting his volunteers who worked hard to support his election.

More: Ron Williams elected mayor of Farragut over Alderman Bob Markli

Four contested County Commission seats were on the ballot. In District 3, Randy Smith led Cody Biggs with 61 percent. In District 7, Charles Busler led Steve Hart with 76 percent. In District 10, Larsen Jay led Tori Griffin with 63 percent. In District 11, Justin Biggs led Daniel Gerke with 64 percent.

More: Knox County Commission welcomes two incumbents, two new commissioners

In the Circuit Court clerk's race, Republican Charles Susano defeated Democrat Sheri Ridgeway with 64 percent of the vote.

“I feel good. I feel like our hard work paid off," Susano said. "I look at it as Knox County has hired me to do its job. It’s an incredible opportunity. I truly believe in public service. I take great pride in that.”

More: Charles Susano elected Knox Circuit Court clerk

Early voting turnout in Knox County was high this year, with 43,755 people casting a ballot, not including absentee voters, which took the number above 45,000, according to Knox County Elections Administrator Cliff Rodgers. In 2014, 35,086 people voted early and in 2010, 34,976.

More: TN Election: High Knox County voter turnout influenced by 'trifecta' of open seats

More: Election day: Rain doesn't stop Knox County voters

Blackburn, Bredesen win Senate primaries

The long-anticipated battle between Republican Marsha Blackburn and Democrat Phil Bredesen to succeed retiring U.S. Sen. Bob Corker is now official after both candidates formally won their parties’ nominations in Thursday’s primaries. The Associated Press declared both Blackburn and Bredesen the winners shortly after polls closed.

Blackburn released the following statement after she became the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate: “Chuck and I are so grateful for the support shown to our campaign by so many volunteers from across the state. Today is a milestone and the beginning of the general election, and I am so grateful you are entrusting me with the Republican nomination for United States Senate. We ask for your continued support as we work to earn every single vote and win in November.”

Bredesen, speaking to his supporters across the state live via Facebook, said he wants to go to Washington to complete “unfinished business.” Touching on one of his campaign themes, he promised to bridge the partisan divide that he said has turned the country into a place “where everybody stands on opposite sides of the room and shouts at each other.”

More: Marsha Blackburn and Phil Bredesen coast in primaries, head for Senate showdown

Governor's race

Williamson County businessman Bill Lee secured the Republican gubernatorial primary Thursday jumping out ahead of U.S. Rep. Diane Black, Knoxville entrepreneur Randy Boyd and House Speaker Beth Harwell.

”Today is a victory for Tennesseans who want an outsider, for people who want Tennessee not only to be an even better place to live for six and a half million people, but for Tennessee to lead the nation. Tonight, we celebrate, but tomorrow we get back to work," Lee said.

At around 10 p.m. ET, with roughly 630,000 ballots counted, Lee had 37 percent, Boyd 25 percent and Black 22 percent. Harwell had about 14 percent.

All three candidates conceded to Lee around 10 p.m.

More: TN election: Randy Boyd concedes GOP gubernatorial primary

As results began to come in, about 200 of Lee's supporters gathered in The Factory in Franklin. The watch party had a religious tone, as attendees raised their hands in prayer, while talking of Lee being God’s “messenger.”

Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, congratulated Lee in a statement: "As he drove his tractor across this state, Bill met the real Tennessee and the real Tennessee met him. They liked what they saw. So do I. Bill Lee is a conservative man of faith who has an intimate grasp of both words emblazoned on our state seal: Commerce and Agriculture. He proved by how he ran this campaign and how he runs his business that he knows what leaders do. Bill Lee is the right man to lead our party to victory in November and beyond. Bill Lee understands Tennessee. I am proud to stand with him."

More: Bill Lee secures Tennessee's Republican gubernatorial nomination after opponents concede

Karl Dean easily defeated Craig Fitzhugh in Thursday's Tennessee Democratic gubernatorial primary, setting up a November general election where he’ll try to become the first Democrat to win a statewide race in the Volunteer State in a dozen years.

"We are going forward. We are going forward in this together," Dean said. "I am proud of the very positive message we kept throughout the primary election. And we're going to keep it positive. That is what I want to do. ... I don't think people want hyper-partisanship."

In a landslide, Dean, former mayor of Nashville, won with nearly 80 percent of the vote, crushing the 17 percent captured by Fitzhugh, the former minority leader of the state House. He will now face Republican nominee Bill Lee.

It was a sweeping victory with Dean winning nearly all 95 counties, including more than 87 percent of the vote from his home turf of Davidson County.

The only counties Fitzhugh appeared to win were Haywood, Lauderdale, Crockett and Dyer counties, which overlap with Fitzhugh's House district.

More: Karl Dean defeats Craig Fitzhugh in landslide in Tennessee's Democratic primary for governor

2nd Congressional District, other state primaries

Tim Burchett: Wow, I'm honored to be your nominee Tim Burchett thanks supporters in victory speech

In the 2nd Congressional District Republican primary, Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett led the pack of seven candidates with 48 percent of the vote followed by Jimmy Matlock with 36 percent with 176 of 177 precincts reporting. The Associated Press called the race for Burchett.

"We ran a very positive campaign and had great help in seven counties," Burchett said. "I couldn't be happier, and I'll be out knocking on doors again tomorrow."

In the 2nd District Democratic primary, Renee Hoyos led opponents Joshua Williams and Joseph Schenkenfelder with about 72 percent of the vote with 176 of 177 precincts reporting. The Associated Press called the race for Hoyos.

Her campaign so far has focused on health care, education and fighting opioid abuse.

"Health care is the most important issue I've heard about from voters," Hoyos said. "I plan to be the thoughtful problem-solver in this campaign. This district has had too much of the same-old, same-old, and I think people want a change."

More: TN elections: Burchett, Hoyos to face off for 2nd District U.S. House seat

In the state House of Representatives District 89 Republican primary, Justin Lafferty led the field with 30 percent of the vote, followed by Tim Hutchison with 26 percent of the vote with all precincts reporting. Republican candidates also include Stacey Campfield, Jesse Nelson and Guy Smoak.

In the state House of Representatives District 89 Democratic primary, Coleen Martinez defeated Keifel A. Agostini with 83 percent of votes, with all precincts reporting.

Lafferty previously told the News Sentinel he wants to push for education reform by focusing on what he calls the “skills gap.” He plans to give high schoolers a chance to shadow trade workers for credit to combat the shortage of trade workers in Tennessee.

Martinez said, “I’m looking forward to talking to more voters and talking to more people about the issues we all care about in Knoxville and in Knox County."

More: Lafferty pulls GOP upset in District 89, to face Martinez in November

In the state House of Representatives District 14 Democratic primary, Justin Davis led Alex Dunn Jr. with 55 percent of the vote with all precincts reporting. In the November general election Davis will face Republican incumbent Jason Zachary, who was uncontested in his primary.

More: TN Election: Davis takes House District 14 in Democratic primary

Greg Mackay defeated Joshua Gregory in the State House District 18 Democratic primary with about 65 percent of the votes and all precincts reporting. In the November general election Mackay will face Republican incumbent Martin Daniel.

More: TN Election: Greg Mackay wins TN House District 18 Democratic Primary

In State House District 19 Republican primary with all precincts reporting, Dave Wright won with 63 percent, over his two opponents, Dallas Sivley and Don Wiser. In the November general election Wright will face Edward Nelson, the lone Democrat running in the primary.

More: TN Election: Dave Wright sweeps GOP primary for State House District 19

ELECTION GUIDE: What you need to know | Candidate list

TN governor race 2018: Who are the candidates that are running? A look at the Tennessee governors race

More: Learn about the top candidates running for Tennessee governor

More: Knox County mayoral race: Battle of competing views on role of government