Victoria Broderick has defeated Republican incumbent Scott DesJarlais in Tennessee’s 4th Congressional District, according to unofficial final returns from the November 3, 2026, election.
Broderick received 95,585 votes, or 48.9 per cent, compared with 95,305 votes, or 48.7 per cent, for DesJarlais.
Her margin was 280 votes out of 195,576 ballots counted across the district.
The result represents a major shift in a district that had been held by DesJarlais since 2011.
Broderick, a Democrat from Fayetteville, had also challenged him in 2024, when she lost by a much wider margin.
Table of Contents
Victoria Broderick’s narrow victory
The Tennessee race remained unusually close after polls closed on November 3.
Independent candidates Jacob Anders and Clay Faircloth received 2,833 and 1,853 votes respectively, while a write-in candidate received no reported votes.
Broderick’s lead was approximately 0.14 percentage points.
The unofficial totals were posted through Tennessee election authorities, and the result must still proceed through the state’s normal canvass and certification process.
Tennessee does not automatically order a recount solely because a congressional race is close.
Any further review would depend on the state’s election procedures and the circumstances surrounding the final certified count.
Who is Victoria Broderick?
Broderick is a technology professional and mother of two who became active in Democratic politics after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v.
Wade in 2022.
She has been affiliated with the Lincoln County Democrats and the Tennessee Democratic Party Executive Committee.
Her campaign described her as a working-class candidate focused on affordability and the concerns of rural communities.
She also campaigned on protecting rural hospitals, reducing gun violence, expanding access to child care and addressing the impact of artificial intelligence and data centres.
Broderick built her campaign while continuing to work in the technology sector.
Her 2026 campaign followed an earlier challenge to DesJarlais, giving her more than two years of experience organizing in the district.
Why the Tennessee result matters
The victory gives Democrats a rare foothold in a state where Republicans have dominated federal elections for years.
It also prevents Tennessee Republicans from holding every congressional seat after lawmakers redrew the state’s congressional map in 2026.
The new district includes portions of Nashville and several rural and smaller communities across Middle Tennessee.
The district’s political mix helped make the race competitive despite Republican strength across much of the state.
Broderick’s win was powered by a strong performance in the Nashville portion of the district, while DesJarlais remained competitive in many rural counties.
The final margin shows how closely the district was divided under the new boundaries.
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Victoria Broderick | Democrat | 95,585 | 48.9% |
| Scott DesJarlais | Republican | 95,305 | 48.7% |
| Jacob Anders | Independent | 2,833 | 1.4% |
| Clay Faircloth | Independent | 1,853 | 0.9% |
What happens next
County election officials will complete the canvass before Tennessee certifies the final result.
Vote totals can change slightly during that process, although Broderick’s current lead is 280 votes.
Once the result is certified, Broderick will prepare to take office in the next Congress.
She will be responsible for representing the district on federal legislation, spending and constituent services.
The race is also likely to remain a focus for both parties ahead of the 2028 election.
Broderick will need to defend a district that includes conservative rural areas, while Republicans will seek to regain a seat they had held for more than a decade.
For now, the Tennessee Secretary of State’s unofficial count places Broderick ahead and marks one of the closest congressional results in the state’s 2026 election.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Victoria Broderick win Tennessee’s 4th Congressional District?
Unofficial final returns show Victoria Broderick defeating Republican incumbent Scott DesJarlais by 280 votes.
How many votes did Victoria Broderick receive?
Broderick received 95,585 votes, or 48.9 per cent, according to the unofficial results.
Who did Victoria Broderick defeat?
She defeated Scott DesJarlais, the Republican incumbent who had represented the district since 2011.
Has the Tennessee result been certified?
The reported totals remain unofficial until Tennessee election officials complete the canvass and certify the result.
When will Victoria Broderick take office?
If the result is certified, Broderick is expected to take office with the next Congress in January 2027.
Fact-Checked: Key vote totals, candidate information and the election’s unofficial status were checked against Tennessee election information and the candidate’s official campaign website.
Disclaimer: Election totals may change slightly during the official canvass and certification process.