ALEXANDRIA, VA – After a vigorous battle for the open 62nd District seat, Pat Marsh, owner of a trucking company, is headed to the Tennessee State House.  Marsh’s special election victory tonight is the 19th win for Republicans in state legislative special elections across the country since November 2008 and increases the Republican majority in the House.  With Marsh’s election, Republicans have now gained five seats previously held by Democrats in state legislative contests during this time.  The Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC), the nation’s largest caucus of Republican state leaders, congratulated Marsh for his win - adding a strong voice for commonsense, conservative principles in the Tennessee State House.

- MARSH IS 19TH REPUBLICAN TO WIN SPECIAL ELECTION SINCE NOV. ’08 -

            “The people in this district recognize they are best served by someone who understands prosperity is the result of the ingenuity of individuals – not government programs.  This is exactly the reason why Pat Marsh was elected tonight,” said Republican State Leadership Committee President Scott Ward.  “Pat’s experience of growing a business will serve the people well, and give them another ally in the Tennessee House to ensure that elected leaders help create an environment where the economy can grow and individuals prosper.”

The RSLC implemented a new media strategy focusing on the special elections in state legislatures across the country – including Tennessee – to heighten the awareness of the importance of winning these seats.  In addition to Marsh’s success tonight, Republicans have won eighteen other special elections for the state legislature since November, including: Tom Kovach from the 6th District of the Del. House, which includes Vice President Joe Biden’s hometown; Joan Huffman came from behind to win in a run-off election for the Texas Senate; Marilinda Garcia in the 4th House District of N.H.; Rosa Rebimbas from the 70th House District of Conn.; and Barry Knight from the 81st House District of Va. in the backyard of DNC Chairman Governor Tim Kaine.

            The Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC) is the only national organization whose mission is electing Republicans to the office of Attorney General, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State and State Legislator. The RSLC is the largest caucus of Republican state leaders in the country – making a national impact one state at a time.  During the 2008 election the RSLC helped maintain the number of Republican Attorneys General and Lieutenant Governors across the U.S. In addition, the RSLC was able to deliver new Republican majorities in the Montana, Oklahoma and Tennessee state senates, as well as an unprecedented majority in the Tennessee House of Representatives. 
The RSLC has over 75,000 donors from all 50 states supporting the RSLC’s goals to pursue a pro-growth agenda, including reforming the tax code, healthcare and legal systems; promoting a better educational system; encouraging sound energy initiatives; and advocating public safety through tough, crime-fighting policies.