Republican Rep. Scott DesJarlais successfully secured reelection for a U.S. House seat in Tennessee on Tuesday, marking the beginning of his eighth term. DesJarlais represents the 4th District, which encompasses 15 counties in central and eastern Tennessee, including the rapidly growing Rutherford County located near Nashville. As a physician from Sherwood, he is part of the conservative House Freedom Caucus.

In this election cycle, DesJarlais faced off against Democrat Victoria Isabel Broderick, who publicly challenged his anti-abortion stance. Broderick highlighted DesJarlais’s past, specifically his encouragement of both a former wife and a mistress to pursue abortions during his divorce proceedings in 2001. Despite these criticisms, DesJarlais has consistently prevailed in elections, maintaining his position in a district that heavily favors Republican candidates.

The announcement of his victory came at 8:29 p.m. EST, confirming his continued presence in the U.S. House of Representatives and signaling another chapter in his long political career. This election reinforces his significant support within a district characterized by its Republican leanings.