James Mackler, the Senate race’s Democratic front-runner, criticized Blackburn over her involvement in a bill that undercut the DEA as opioid deaths were on the rise in Tennessee. “I’m running for U.S. Senate because Tennesseans need a senator that will stand up for them rather than catering to special interests and corporate lobbyists,” Mackler said in an emailed statement Sunday night. “That Congresswoman Blackburn would champion legislation like this while Tennesseans face an opioid epidemic is all one needs to know about her priorities,” he said.

NASHVILLE – Following another strong fundraising quarter, James Mackler, an Iraq war combat veteran, JAG officer, and Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, today launched digital ads highlighting Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn’s disastrous record on healthcare. The ads are part of an on-going five-figure digital ad buy placed by the Mackler campaign.

James Mackler, a Nashville attorney and Iraqi war veteran who is a Democrat running for the U.S. Senate, seems undaunted by the recent decision of incumbent Republican Bob Corker not to seek a third term and the apparent focus on which Republican will seek the post.