Your monthly support provides voters the knowledge they need to make confident decisions at the polls. Donate today.
Tennessee's 2nd Congressional District elections, 2014
2016 →
← 2012
|
 |
November 4, 2014 |
August 7, 2014 |
John J. Duncan, Jr.  |
John J. Duncan, Jr. |
 |
Cook Political Report: Solid Republican[1] Sabato's Crystal Ball: Safe R[2] |
 |
The 2nd Congressional District of Tennessee held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 4, 2014. Incumbent John J. Duncan, Jr. defeated Jason Zachary in the Republican primary. Duncan then defeated Bob Scott, who ran unopposed in the Democratic primary, Green Party candidate Norris Dryer and independent Casey Gouge in the general election.[3] The race was rated a "Safe Republican" contest by Rothenberg Political Report/Roll Call.[4]
| Candidate Filing Deadline | Primary Election | General Election |
|---|---|---|
Primary: A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election. Tennessee utilizes a closed primary process; a voter must either be registered with a political party or must declare his or affiliation with the party at the polls on primary election day in order to vote in that party's primary.[5]
For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article.
Voter registration: To vote in the primary, voters had to register by July 8, 2014. For the general election, the voter registration deadline was October 6, 2014.[6]
- See also: Tennessee elections, 2014
Incumbent: Heading into the election the incumbent was John J. Duncan, Jr. (R), who was first elected in 1988.
As of the 2010 redistricting cycle, Tennessee's 2nd Congressional District was located in the northeastern portion of the state and included Blount, Claiborne, Grainger, Knox, and Loudon counties as well as portions of Campbell and Jefferson counties.[7]
Candidates
General election candidates
- John J. Duncan, Jr. - Incumbent
Bob Scott[8]
Norris Dryer[8]
Casey Gouge[8]
August 7, 2014, Republican Primary
- John J. Duncan, Jr. - Incumbent[8][3]
- Jason Zachary[8]
Election results
General election
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican |  John J. Duncan, Jr. Incumbent |
72.5% | 120,853 | |
| Democratic | Bob Scott | 22.6% | 37,599 | |
| Green | Norris Dryer | 2.4% | 4,033 | |
| Independent | Casey Gouge | 2.5% | 4,222 | |
| Total Votes | 166,707 | |||
| Source: Tennessee Secretary of State | ||||
Republican primary
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
John Duncan Incumbent |
60.5% | 50,443 | ||
| Jason Zachary | 39.5% | 32,936 | ||
| Total Votes | 83,379 | |||
| Source: Results via Associated Press |
||||
Key votes
Below are important votes that Duncan cast during the 113th Congress.
National security
NDAA
Duncan voted in opposition of HR 1960 - the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014. The bill passed the House on June 14, 2013, with a vote of 315 - 108. Both parties were somewhat divided on the vote.[9]
DHS Appropriations
Duncan voted in opposition of HR 2217 - the DHS Appropriations Act of 2014. The bill passed the House on June 6, 2013, with a vote of 245 - 182 and was largely along party lines.[9]
Keystone Pipeline Amendment
Duncan voted in opposition of House Amendment 69, which would have amended HR 3 to "require that the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security, conduct a study of the vulnerabilities of the Keystone XL pipeline to a terrorist attack and certify that necessary protections have been put in place." The amendment failed on May 22, 2013, with a vote of 176 - 239 and was largely along party lines.[9]
CISPA (2013)
Duncan voted in support of HR 624 - the CISPA (2013). The bill passed the House on April 18, 2013, with a vote of 288 - 127. The bill permitted federal intelligence agencies to share cybersecurity intelligence and information with private entities and utilities.[10] The bill was largely supported by Republicans but divided the Democratic Party.[9]
Economy
2014 Farm bill
On January 29, 2014, the U.S. House approved the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013, H.R. 2642, also known as the Farm Bill.[11] The bill passed by a vote of 251-166. The nearly 1,000-page bill reformed and continued various programs of the Department of Agriculture through 2018. The $1 trillion bill expanded crop insurance for farmers by $7 billion over the next decade and created new subsidies for rice and peanut growers that would kick in when prices drop.[12][13] It also cut the food stamp program an average of $90 per month for 1.7 million people in 15 states.[13] Duncan voted with 62 other Republican representatives against the bill.
2014 Budget
On January 15, 2014, the Republican-run House approved H.R. 3547, a $1.1 trillion spending bill to fund the government through September 30, 2014.[14][15] The House voted 359-67 for the 1,582 page bill, with 64 Republicans and three Democrats voting against the bill.[15] The omnibus package included 12 annual spending bills to fund federal operations.[16] It included a 1 percent increase in the paychecks of federal workers and military personnel, a $1 billion increase in Head Start funding for early childhood education, reduced funding to the Internal Revenue Service and the Environmental Protection Agency and protected the Affordable Care Act from any drastic cuts. Duncan joined with the 63 other Republicans and 3 Democrats who voted against the bill.[14][15]
2013 Farm bill
In July 2013 the Republican controlled House narrowly passed a scaled-back version of the farm bill after stripping out the popular food-stamp program.[17][18] The bill passed on a 216-208 vote, with no Democrats voting in favor.[19] All but 12 Republicans supported the measure.[20] The group consisted mostly of conservative lawmakers more concerned about spending than farm subsidies.[20][21] Duncan was one of the 12 who voted against the measure.[20]
The farm bill historically has included both billions in farm subsidies and billions in food stamps. Including both of the two massive programs has in the past helped win support from rural-state lawmakers and those representing big cities.[19] After the bill failed in the House in June 2013 amid opposition from rank-and-file Republicans, House leaders removed the food stamp portion in a bid to attract conservative support.[19]
Government shutdown
- See also: United States budget debate, 2013
On September 30, 2013, the House passed a final stopgap spending bill before the shutdown went into effect. The bill included a one-year delay of the Affordable Care Act's individual mandate and would have also stripped the bill of federal subsidies for congressional members and staff. It passed through the House with a vote of 228-201.[22] At 1 a.m. on October 1, 2013, one hour after the shutdown officially began, the House voted to move forward with going to a conference. In short order, Sen. Harry Reid rejected the call to conference.[23] Duncan voted to approve the stopgap spending bill that would have delayed the individual mandate.[24]
The shutdown ended on October 16, 2013, when the House took a vote on HR 2775 after it was approved by the Senate. The bill to reopen the government lifted the $16.7 trillion debt limit and funded the government through January 15, 2014. Federal employees also received retroactive pay for the shutdown period. The only concession made by Senate Democrats was to require income verification for Obamacare subsidies.[25] The House passed the legislation shortly after the Senate, by a vote of 285-144, with all 144 votes against the legislation coming from Republican members. Duncan voted against HR 2775.[26]
Immigration
Morton Memos Prohibition
Duncan supported House Amendment 136 - Prohibits the Enforcement of the Immigration Executive Order. The amendment was adopted by the House on June 6, 2013, with a vote of 224 - 201. The purpose of the amendment as stated on the official text is to "prohibit the use of funds to finalize, implement, administer, or enforce the Morton Memos." These memos would have granted administrative amnesty to certain individuals residing in the United States without legal status.[27] The vote largely followed party lines.[28]
Healthcare
Repealing Obamacare
Duncan supported all attempts to repeal or delay the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.[29]
Government affairs
HR 676
On July 30, 2014, the U.S. House approved a resolution 225 to 201 to sue President Barack Obama for exceeding his constitutional authority. Five Republicans—Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Paul Broun of Georgia, Scott Garrett of New Jersey, Walter Jones of North Carolina and Steve Stockman of Texas—voted with Democrats against the lawsuit.[30] Duncan joined the other 224 Republicans in favor of the lawsuit. All Democrats voted against the resolution.[31][32]
Campaign contributions
John Duncan, Jr.
Candidates for Congress were required to file up to seven main reports with the Federal Election Commission during the 2014 elections season. Below are Duncan's reports.[33]
| John Duncan, Jr (2014) Campaign Finance Reports | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Report | Date Filed | Beginning Balance | Total Contributions for Reporting Period | Expenditures | Cash on Hand | ||||
| April Quarterly[34] | July 12, 2013 | $1,569,583.96 | $12,852.30 | $(73,593.05) | $1,508,843.21 | ||||
| July Quarterly[35] | July 13, 2013 | $1,508,843.21 | $54,279.92 | $(24,122.36) | $1,539,000.77 | ||||
| October Quarterly[36] | October 15, 2013 | $1,539,000.77 | $70,803.03 | $(53,538.87) | $1,556,264.93 | ||||
| Year-End[37] | January 31, 2014 | $1,556,264 | $33,721 | $(54,778) | $1,535,316 | ||||
| April Quarterly[38] | April 15, 2014 | $1,535,316.88 | $40,054.64 | $(50,265.23) | $1,525,106.29 | ||||
| Running totals | |||||||||
| $211,710.89 | $(256,297.51) | ||||||||
Jason Zachary
Candidates for Congress were required to file up to seven main reports with the Federal Election Commission during the 2014 elections season. Below are Zachary's reports.[39]
| Jason Zachary (2014) Campaign Finance Reports | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Report | Date Filed | Beginning Balance | Total Contributions for Reporting Period | Expenditures | Cash on Hand | ||||
| April Quarterly[40] | April 11, 2014 | $22,693.40 | $21,009.10 | $(18,165.45) | $25,537.05 | ||||
| Running totals | |||||||||
| $21,009.1 | $(18,165.45) | ||||||||
District history
| Candidate ballot access |
|---|
 |
| Find detailed information on ballot access requirements in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. |
2012
The 2nd Congressional District of Tennessee held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 6, 2012. Incumbent John J. Duncan, Jr. won re-election in the district.[41]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Troy Goodale | 20.6% | 54,522 | |
| Republican | John J. Duncan, Jr. Incumbent |
74.4% | 196,894 | |
| Green | Norris Dryer | 2.2% | 5,733 | |
| Independent | Brandon Stewart | 1.1% | 2,974 | |
| Libertarian | Greg Samples | 1.7% | 4,382 | |
| Total Votes | 264,505 | |||
| Source: Tennessee Secretary of State "Official Election Results, 2012 General Election" | ||||
2010
On November 2, 2010, John Duncan, Jr. won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Dave Hancock (D) in the general election.[42]
| U.S. House, Tennessee District 2 General Election, 2010 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | John Duncan, Jr. incumbent |
84.8% | 141,796 | |
| Democratic | Dave Hancock | 15.2% | 25,400 | |
| Total Votes | 167,196 | |||
See also
- United States House of Representatives elections in Tennessee, 2014
- United States House of Representatives elections, 2014
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Cook Political Report, "2014 HOUSE RACE RATINGS FOR AUGUST 1, 2014," accessed August 4, 2014
- ↑ Sabato's Crystal Ball, "2014 House Races," accessed August 4, 2014
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Associated Press, "Tennessee - Summary Vote Results," accessed August 7, 2014
- ↑ Roll Call, "2014 Election Race Ratings," accessed June 24, 2014
- ↑ LexisNexis, "Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-7-115," accessed July 16, 2025
- ↑ Tennessee Secretary of State Website, "Voter Qualification," accessed January 3, 2014
- ↑ Tennessee Redistricting Map "Map" accessed July 30, 2012
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 Tennessee.gov, "Governor, United States Senate, and United States House of Representatives Petitions Filed by Qualifying Deadline," accessed April 3, 2014
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Project Vote Smart, "Representative Duncan's Voting Records on National Security," accessed October 11, 2013
- ↑ The Library of Congress, "Bill Summary & Status - 113th Congress (2013 - 2014) - H.R.624," accessed August 27, 2013
- ↑ Clerk of U.S. House, "Roll Call Vote 31: H.R. 2642," accessed February 12, 2014
- ↑ Politico, "House clears farm bill," accessed February 12, 2014
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 New York Times, "Senate passes long-stalled Farm Bill, With clear winners and losers," accessed February 12, 2014
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 CNN.com, "House passes compromise $1.1 trillion budget for 2014," accessed January 20, 2014
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 U.S. House, "Roll Call Vote 21," accessed January 20, 2014
- ↑ Roll Call, "House Passes $1.1 Trillion Omnibus," accessed January 20, 2014
- ↑ Washington Post, "Farm bill passes narrowly in House, without food stamp funding," accessed July 15, 2013
- ↑ USA Today, "House passes farm bill; strips out food-stamp program," accessed July 15, 2013
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 Fox News, "House narrowly passes farm bill after Republicans carve out food stamps," accessed July 15, 2013
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 Washington Post, "Which Republicans voted against the Farm Bill?" accessed July 15, 2013
- ↑ Politico, "Farm bill 2013: House narrowly passes pared-back version," accessed July 15, 2013
- ↑ Clerk of the U.S. House, "Final vote results for Roll Call 504," accessed October 31, 2013
- ↑ Buzzfeed, "Government shutdown: How we got here," accessed October 1, 2013
- ↑ Clerk of the U.S. House, "Final vote results for Roll Call 504," accessed October 31, 2013
- ↑ The Washington Post, "Reid, McConnell propose bipartisan Senate bill to end shutdown, extend borrowing," accessed October 16, 2013
- ↑ U.S. House, "Final vote results for Roll Call 550," accessed October 31, 2013
- ↑ The Library of Congress, "H.AMDT.136," accessed August 28, 2013
- ↑ Project Vote Smart, "Representative Duncan's Voting Records on Immigration," accessed October 11, 2013
- ↑ Project Vote Smart, "Representative Duncan's Voting Records on Issue: Health and Healthcare," accessed October 11, 2013
- ↑ U.S. House, "House Resolution 676," accessed July 30, 2014
- ↑ Associated Press, "Suing Obama: GOP-led House gives the go-ahead," July 31, 2014
- ↑ Washington Post, "House clears way for lawsuit against Obama," accessed July 30, 2014
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Duncan 2014 Summary reports," accessed July 23, 2013
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "April Quarterly," accessed July 23, 2013
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "July Quarterly," accessed July 23, 2013
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "October Quarterly," accessed October 28, 2013
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "John Duncan Year-End," accessed February 5, 2014
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "April Quarterly," accessed April 17, 2014
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Zachary 2014 Summary reports," accessed April 24, 2014
- ↑ Federal Election Commission, "April Quarterly," accessed April 24, 2014
- ↑ Politico, "2012 Election Map, Tennessee"
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2010," accessed March 28, 2013
