'Where is he? He isn't here'

Victoria Broderick used Monday night's political forum in McMinnville to question Congressman Scott DesJarlais' accessibility to constituents, pointing to the Republican incumbent's absence while outlining her own priorities of affordability, government accountability and representation.

Broderick, the Democratic nominee for Tennessee's 4th Congressional District, was the only congressional candidate to participate in the forum held at the Warren County Administrative Building.

“We deserve representation that works for us, and, as you can see, my opponent doesn't take that seriously. Where is he? He isn't here. I want to show you what good representation looks like.”

Broderick said she has encountered voters across the district, including Republicans, who told her they had never met DesJarlais. She also criticized what she described as limited opportunities for constituents to visit his offices without an appointment.

“I've been in this county having conversations with Republicans who told me they've never met him,” Broderick said. “That is not a representative.”

Broderick is making her second attempt to unseat DesJarlais, having challenged him unsuccessfully in 2024. She won a five-candidate Democratic primary in August to secure another opportunity to face the incumbent.

“I ran my first congressional race in 2024 when I found out my opponent was going to run unopposed, and I said ‘over my dead body,’” Broderick said. “When I lost, I said I was going to do it again because change takes time.”

Much of Broderick's discussion centered on the cost of living, including prescription drug prices, healthcare expenses and the difficulty working families face in meeting everyday financial obligations.

“You should be able to work 40 hours a week and be able to support your family - full stop,” Broderick said.

She argued that corporate influence has contributed to problems involving healthcare and prescription drug affordability, and said elected officials should place the interests of constituents ahead of major financial contributors.

Broderick said her campaign does not accept corporate or political action committee donations. She also expressed support for congressional term limits, arguing that longtime officeholders can become disconnected from the people they represent.

“We need to put guardrails on our representatives, because we need representation that works for us,” she said.

Foreign policy also figured prominently in her remarks, particularly the ongoing conflict involving Iran and its effects on fuel prices and international supply chains.

Broderick called for ending the war and criticized the economic consequences she said American families are experiencing.

Asked about the possibility of importing Russian diesel fuel to ease supply concerns, Broderick opposed the idea, citing doubts about Russia's reliability as a trading partner and concerns about its influence on American politics.

“I don't trust Putin farther than I can throw him,” Broderick said. “He has a vested interest in the midterm elections. So Russia is a no from me.”

Broderick also addressed the debate over transgender athletes participating in women's sports. She said medical professionals and athletic governing organizations should make decisions involving eligibility rather than politicians.

“Any politician talking about men in women's sports is a lazy politician,” Broderick said. “They are deflecting from questions about the war in Iran, the gas crisis and what is going on in our country.”

Broderick repeatedly returned to her argument that constituents deserve a representative who is present in their communities and responsive to their concerns, regardless of political affiliation.

“I am running on safety, affordability, freedom and equity,” she said in her closing remarks. “I'm asking every single Republican and Independent to make a choice this election cycle. Regardless of what letter goes beside my name, I want to represent you and work for you.”

Broderick and DesJarlais will face each other in the Nov. 3 general election. Early voting begins Wednesday, Oct. 14.