| − | Reece was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1920<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=300758 TN District 01 Race - Nov 02, 1920]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved May 29, 2021.</ref> and re-elected four times.<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=300757 TN District 01 Race - Nov 07, 1922]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved May 29, 2021.</ref><ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=300751 TN District 01 Race - Nov 04, 1924]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved May 29, 2021.</ref><ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=300750 TN District 01 Race - Nov 02, 1926]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved May 29, 2021.</ref><ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=300749 TN District 01 Race - Nov 06, 1928]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved May 29, 2021.</ref> He lost in the 1930 midterms to Independent Republican [[Oscar Lovette]]<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=300748 TN District 01 Race - Nov 04, 1930]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved May 29, 2021.</ref> following backlash from constituents over the Muscle Shoals (considered a forerunner to the [[Tennessee Valley Authority]]) being vetoed by President [[Herbert Hoover]] as well as having failed to ensure the Cove Creek Dam being built.<ref>Hill, Ray (May 9, 2021). [https://knoxfocus.com/columnist/hill/carroll-reece-tennessees-mr-republican-pt9/ Carroll Reece: Tennessee’s ‘Mr. Republican’ Pt9]. ''The Knoxville Focus''. Retrieved May 29, 2021.</ref> However, he narrowly re-emerged in 1932<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=300747 TN District 01 Race - Nov 08, 1932]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved May 29, 2021.</ref> and continued being re-elected consecutively until unsuccessfully running for an open Senate seat in 1948; afterwards he returned to the House yet again and continued serving until his death. | + | Reece first successfully ran for the House of Representatives in 1920, challenging incumbent Republican Sam R. Sells. Although supporters of Sells initially dismissed Reece's candidacy as a joke,<ref name=part1>Hill, Ray (February 14, 2021). [https://knoxfocus.com/archives/this-weeks-focus/carroll-reece-tennessees-mr-republican-i/ Carroll Reece: Tennessee’s ‘Mr. Republican,’ I]. ''The Knoxville Focus''. Retrieved August 12, 2021.</ref> the political newcomer ran on his military service; Sells campaigned on his personality rather than his congressional voting record. During the campaign, Reece promised to serve only up to ten years, which he eventually broke.<ref name=part1/> He ultimately defeated Sells in an upset to win the GOP nomination and cruise to victory in the general election.<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=300758 TN District 01 Race - Nov 02, 1920]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved May 29, 2021.</ref> |
| | + | He would then be re-elected four consecutive times.<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=300757 TN District 01 Race - Nov 07, 1922]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved May 29, 2021.</ref><ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=300751 TN District 01 Race - Nov 04, 1924]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved May 29, 2021.</ref><ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=300750 TN District 01 Race - Nov 02, 1926]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved May 29, 2021.</ref><ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=300749 TN District 01 Race - Nov 06, 1928]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved May 29, 2021.</ref> He lost in the 1930 midterms to Independent Republican [[Oscar Lovette]]<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=300748 TN District 01 Race - Nov 04, 1930]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved May 29, 2021.</ref> following backlash from constituents over the Muscle Shoals (considered a forerunner to the [[Tennessee Valley Authority]]) being vetoed by President [[Herbert Hoover]] as well as having failed to ensure the Cove Creek Dam being built.<ref>Hill, Ray (May 9, 2021). [https://knoxfocus.com/columnist/hill/carroll-reece-tennessees-mr-republican-pt9/ Carroll Reece: Tennessee’s ‘Mr. Republican’ Pt9]. ''The Knoxville Focus''. Retrieved May 29, 2021.</ref> However, he narrowly re-emerged in 1932<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=300747 TN District 01 Race - Nov 08, 1932]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved May 29, 2021.</ref> and continued being re-elected consecutively until unsuccessfully running for an open Senate seat in 1948; afterwards he returned to the House yet again and continued serving until his death. |