Bobby Dodge, a Tennessee small-business owner, announced his candidacy in the special election for the state’s 7th Congressional District, aiming to become the first member of Congress tied to Elon Musk’s recently launched America Party. The party does not yet have ballot access in Tennessee or any state.
Dodge, who filed as an independent, said he wants to represent voters tired of partisan gridlock. His campaign focuses on fiscal discipline, accountability, healthcare affordability, education reform, infrastructure, and environmental stewardship. In his launch video, Dodge said the “America Party idea is about the middle 80%, putting people over party, restoring fiscal sanity, and demanding measurable results instead of political theater.”
State law requires new parties to gather signatures equal to 2.5% of votes in the last governor’s race to gain recognition. By contrast, Dodge qualified for the ballot with 25 signatures as an independent and will bypass the October 7 primary, heading straight to the December 2 general election.
The TN-7 seat has been vacant since July 20 following Rep. Mark Green’s resignation. Dodge pledged that if elected, he will immediately declare affiliation with the America Party.
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