The path to Tennessee politics for Allie Phillips began last year in her doctor’s office. She was 19 weeks pregnant when she got the devastating news about her unborn daughter: only two of the four chambers in her heart were formed.
It was one of many severe congenital issues. The fetus was incompatible with life.
Phillips is 28. She and her husband already have a 6-year-old daughter. They had picked out a name for her sister: Miley Rose.
Phillips already knew there were complications with the pregnancy, and she had been bargaining with the universe for days leading up to this appointment. Maybe there would be treatment for whatever condition her daughter had. A transplant. A cure, even.
That was not the case.
I’m not optimistic about her winning - this is Tennessee, after all. Outside of Nashville and Memphis, it’s a sea of painful ignorance and R voters. Even relatively purple places like Knoxville can’t seem to elect anyone other than R’s who are hellbent on destroying civil society for no particular reason - the pro-wrestler mayor dismantled the county health department in the middle of the pandemic, for crying out loud. And people applauded him for it!
I’ll donate to her campaign and cross my fingers, but I’m not holding my breath.
I hope she wins
As a Tennessean, I have zero faith in the state of Tennessee. Though, as an American, I have zero faith in America, so maybe it’s just me.
Fellow southerner here (Georgia) and I am feeling the same way. I do have faith in your whiskey distilleries though, so let’s drink to that
Phillips already knew there were complications with the pregnancy, and she had been bargaining with the universe for days leading up to this appointment.
Took me a moment, but that means “praying”, for those of us who aren’t great at unusual euphemisms.
I’d say it’s like praying without the religious connotations. Bargaining is one of the five stages of grief.
It does not necessarily mean praying. I am an atheist. I’ve definitely done things like say, “well universe, if X doesn’t happen, I’m going to do Y.” I don’t expect the universe to do what I say, I just need the mental fortitude.
Republicans are fucking cowards. Can’t even answer questions on abortion because they know it’s no-win
