Heidi Campbell wins primary for Nashville Senate seat – Nashville Post

Campbell beat educational consultant Kimi Abernathy for the right to take on Dickerson, the lone Nashville Republican in the legislature.

In the primary battle, Campbell touted her experience in government and her ability to raise money (the two raised comparable amounts, but Abernathy was in the race far longer). Abernathy, meanwhile, cited her experience working in schools and on a judicially appointed foster review board. Both trained with Emerge Tennessee, a program for Democratic women who want to run for office.

Though Democrats view District 20 as a prime pickup opportunity, Dickerson has a healthy campaign account of his own and could reap the benefit of flush Republican allies working to keep him in office, as was the case in 2016. The district includes much of the outer ring of Davidson County, including the Green Hills area to the south and the Joelton area to the north.

During the primary, both Democratic candidates hit Dickerson for legal problems at his business, Comprehensive Pain Specialists, which faces federal and state fraud charges. (Authorities have since dropped charges against Dickerson, who said he had no knowledge of alleged fraud committed by the company’s CEO.)

“While some politicians make campaigns about personal attacks, I am not a politician,” Dickerson said. “I’m going to make my campaign about showing you what I have fought for in the State Senate and, if given the chance, will continue to fight for.”

And while Dickerson frequently bucks his party and votes with Democrats in the Senate — including on issues related to Nashville, medical marijuana, voting rights and abortion — both Abernathy and Campbell criticized him for not succeeding in his longtime push for medical marijuana and for missing some key votes, including on a recent anti-abortion bill.