U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper rolled to re-election Tuesday night, overcoming Republican challenger David Hall with relative ease.
Cooper, who will serve his fifth term, beat Republican David Hall while running a positive campaign.
"I am proud that we ran a strong, honest and positive campaign that focused on the issues that matter to our community," Cooper said Tuesday. "I’m thankful for every vote, every volunteer and every personal endorsement. It’s truly an honor to represent Middle Tennesseans in Congress.”
Cooper was first elected to represent Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District in 2002. He previously represented the state’s 4th congressional district from 1983 to 1995. He is the son of former Gov. Prentice Cooper, who was the state’s chief executive from 1939 to 1945.
In 1994, Cooper unsuccessfully ran to fill the unexpired U.S. Senate seat that was vacated by Al Gore when he became Vice President. He lost that race to actor/lawyer and one-time presidential candidate Fred Thompson.
Known as a budget wonk and a deficit hawk, Cooper is a member of the ever-decreasing congressional caucus known as the “Blue Dog Coalition.” Today, he and Memphis Rep. Steve Cohen became the only Democratic members to serve Tennessee in Congress.
Cooper currently serves on the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.