Democrats mount write-in challenge against state Rep. Dave Wright

Democrats are hoping to mount a challenge against Republican state Rep. Dave Wright by supporting the write-in candidacy of Michael Leon Daugherty on the Aug. 1 ballot.

There's not a Democrat on the District 19 ballot because Daugherty didn't get in the race until after the filing deadline.

He needs 5% of voters in the district, or about 2,200 people, to write in his name during the primary election in order for him to make it in onto the November ballot.

Daugherty, a 65-year-old retired civics teacher, told Knox News he thinks the Tennessee legislature is moving the state backwards. He said elected officials must to do more to provide adequate health care, pass sensible gun safety laws, increase the minimum wage, support those suffering from addiction and protect public education.

"I think (the legislature is) destroying public education," Daugherty said in an interview. "I think public education has always been the equalizer. ... It's just wrong to use taxpayer money for these private schools. Especially when private schools can discriminate for any reason."

Wright has served the 19th District in east Knox County since 2018. He previously served on the Knox County Commission from 2008-2018.

Allie Feinberg reports on politics for Knox News. Email her: allie.feinberg@knoxnews.com and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @alliefeinberg.

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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Democrats mount write-in challenge against Tennessee Rep. Dave Wright