Broderick unseats DesJarlais in Tennessee's 4th District by 280 votes
Source: WKRN News 2 · All WKRN News 2 reports
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Summary
WKRN's morning segment reported early results from Tennessee's 2026 congressional races, highlighting Democrat Victoria Broderick's narrow victory over Republican incumbent Scott DesJarlais in the 4th District by 280 votes. It covered Republican Sen. Bill Hagerty's comfortable re-election, the Republican hold in the newly drawn 5th District by Charlie Hatcher over Democrat Chaz Molder, and noted the state's congressional map had been redrawn earlier in 2026. Soundbites from Hatcher and Molder emphasized hopes for bipartisanship on agriculture and other issues.
The report relied on real-time vote percentages with 99% reporting, referenced Rutherford County's pivotal role, and included Broderick's victory statement on costs, the war in Iran, and political chaos. No named outside experts; throughline stressed the surprise nature of the District 4 flip despite redistricting intended to favor Republicans.
Editorial Assessment
The broadcast's core claims on vote totals, the 280-vote margin, Hagerty's 55-43 win, and Hatcher's victory are fully verified by the Tennessee Secretary of State and multiple news outlets. Viewers received accurate numbers and useful context on redistricting and Rutherford County's impact but missed deeper discussion of why the district flipped—Broderick's strong performance in the new Davidson County portion (over 25,000-vote margin there) and DesJarlais's low campaigning. Framing as a "major upset" is fair given pre-election ratings, though the segment's brevity left out that Republicans still secured eight of nine seats statewide amid a national Democratic wave. Overall high-quality local election-night reporting that accurately conveyed results without exaggeration.
Key Moments
Democrat Victoria Broderick defeated Republican incumbent Scott DesJarlais by just 280 votes with nearly 49% in Tennessee's 4th District
Exact match to final unofficial results: Broderick 95,585 (48.9%), DesJarlais 95,305 (48.7%); Tennessee Secretary of State and Nashville Banner, Tennessean reporting.
Rutherford County played a key role in pushing Broderick across the finish line
Rutherford cast 42% of district vote; Broderick won mail ballots and early voting there, offsetting Election Day losses per detailed county analysis.
Republican Bill Hagerty won re-election with about 55% to 43% for Democrat Marquita Bradshaw, a lead of more than 250,000 votes
Final figures show Hagerty at 55.1% (1,138,436 votes) to Bradshaw's 42.9% (886,974), margin exceeding 251,000 votes.
In District 5, Republican Charlie Hatcher defeated Democrat Chaz Molder with about 52% of the vote
Hatcher won 51.7% to Molder's 46.7% according to final tallies; segment rounded slightly but directionally accurate.
Tennessee's congressional map was redrawn earlier this year
GOP-led legislature passed new map in special May 2026 session, signed by Gov. Lee, which added southeast Nashville to the 4th District.
Sources Consulted
- Victoria Broderick upsets Scott DesJarlais in District 4
- Tennessee Congressional District 4 Results 2026
- Victoria Broderick upsets GOP plans for TN congressional sweep
- Republican Charlie Hatcher defeats Molder to win Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District
- U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty wins a second term representing Tennessee
- Congressional District 4 | Election Night Reporting Dashboard
- Scott DesJarlais Loses TN-04 in Upset