NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Tennessee Republican Congressman Mark Green has won another term in Washington, defeating a challenge from former Nashville Mayor Megan Barry for the seat.
Green initially announced in February he would retire from his Congressional seat after his current term expires, but he changed course weeks later.
"I will be running for reelection so I can be here on Day 1 next year to help President Trump end this border crisis once and for all," he said in a statement provided to News 2.
His retirement announcement came after he and other House Republicans successfully impeached Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas in February. In his initial retirement announcement, he said he had achieved what he wanted to do and get a border security bill done.
"We did that, and I wanted to hold the administration accountable, and we just impeached for the first time a sitting Cabinet secretary," he told reporters outside the Capitol at the time.
His retirement plan lasted about two weeks, however, as Green said he received "countless calls from constituents, colleagues, and from President Trump urging me to reconsider."
Barry announced her candidacy in December, hoping to unseat the Republican and bring an end to the dysfunction in Congress. She initially said Green "has done nothing" to help the opioid crisis in Tennessee, the rise in gun violence or the closure of rural hospitals in the state.
"Working families have been ignored for far too long," she said in her announcement video. "We need an economy and a government that works for everyone."
Barry served as the first female mayor of Nashville from September 2015 to March 2018, when she resigned from office after admitting to an extramarital affair with a member of her security detail.
Shortly after her tenure began, her son, Max, died of an opioid overdose in Colorado. The news was announced by Barry and her husband, Bruce.
For using taxpayer funds while conducting the affair, Barry pleaded guilty to felony theft of property over $10,000. She also received three years of unsupervised probation and had to pay $11,000 in restitution.
Green has also been plagued by affair rumors. In September, reports emerged that Green was also accused by his wife of having an extramarital affair. Green has reportedly filed for divorce.
The District 7 race is one of several Congressional races that saw full ballots. State Rep. Gloria Johnson challenged incumbent Sen. Marsha Blackburn for the senior senator's seat but fell well short.
Barry called Green and conceded the race, which had Green up significantly over the former Nashville mayor.
Polls around 9 p.m. had Green up 61% to Barry's 37%.
After accepting Barry's concession, Green issued a victory statement, saying in part:
"It has been the honor of my lifetime serving the people of Tennessee's 7th district. From rural communities to the bustling streets of Nashville, this district is home to a wide range of individuals and businesses whose patriotism and innovative spirit make our state a wonderful place to life. I'm grateful for this opportunity to serve the people of this district for another term in Congress."