The Latest: Lee elected Tennessee’s governor, defeats Dean

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Latest on Tennessee’s general election (all times local):
7:40 p.m.
Republican businessman and political newcomer Bill Lee will become Tennessee’s next governor, replacing outgoing GOP Gov. Bill Haslam.
Lee won Tuesday’s election against former Democratic Nashville Mayor Karl Dean.
Lee is chairman of a Franklin mechanical contracting, facilities and home services company. His positive campaigning and religious faith became defining characteristics of his election bid, although he’s faced criticism for not providing specific details on key policy positions.
Lee has promised to work to fix the state’s health care system, saying it may take 15 to 20 years. Unlike Dean, the Republican said he would ultimately lobby the Tennessee Legislature to vote against Medicaid expansion, should lawmakers ever get close to doing so.
Lee also says he supports school choice, a position his opponents say will result in school vouchers.
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4 p.m.
Republican U.S. Senate candidate Marsha Blackburn says she’s received a “tremendous response” statewide and said she thinks she will win her tough contest in Tennessee.
In an Election Day stop in Clarksville, Blackburn told reporters on Tuesday that her campaign has been running “full-steam ahead” since President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence held a Chattanooga rally for her Sunday.
The congresswoman is locked in a hard-fought race against Democratic former Gov. Phil Bredesen, who cast his vote Tuesday. Blackburn cast her ballot during early voting.
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Noon
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Phil Bredesen has cast his vote in Nashville.
While at his polling place Tuesday, Bredesen said it was an important day that is not just about a Democrat and a Republican but about two different visions for the job.
After casting his ballot, he addressed reporters outside the polling place and said although Tennessee is a very red state, he thinks his campaign is in good shape.
Bredesen is running against Republican U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn for Tennessee’s open U.S. Senate seat in the state’s top race.
Meanwhile, Republican businessman Bill Lee and former Nashville Mayor Karl Dean are vying to succeed term-limited Republican Gov. Bill Haslam.
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9:10 a.m.
An election official in Tennessee’s largest county says one precinct did not open on time but all polling places are now up and running.
Shelby County Election Commission Chairman Robert Meyers said the single precinct that did not open on time at 7 a.m. was operational shortly afterward.
Meyers’ information contradicted a tweet from the county elections commission that says “all sites opened on time.”
Shelby County is being closely watched by voting rights advocates and some campaigns over concerns about voter registrations, the security of outdated electronic voting machines and other election-related issues.
Polls close at 7 p.m. in Shelby County.
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8 a.m.
Tennessee election officials are expecting high turnout as voters cast ballots for governor, the U.S. Senate and House on Tuesday.
Coordinator of Elections Mark Goins said polling places are open despite power outages Tuesday morning in some areas of Middle and East Tennessee. He said paper ballots are available at those locations.
Polls open at different hours across the state, but all will close at 8 p.m. ET.
The top race in Tennessee is between Republican U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn and Democrat Phil Bredesen for Tennessee’s open U.S. Senate seat.
Meanwhile, Republican businessman Bill Lee and former Nashville Mayor Karl Dean are vying to succeed term-limited Republican Gov. Bill Haslam.
Voters can download the GoVoteTN app to view specific information about their polling locations, hours and sample ballots.
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For AP’s complete coverage of the U.S. midterm elections: https://apne.ws/APPolitics