Changes

Following the death of incumbent popular congressman [[J. Will Taylor|James Willis "J. Will" Taylor, Jr.]] in 1939, Jennings was among several Republican contenders for the seat, which included Taylor's older daughter Elizabeth.<ref>Hill, Ray (September 3, 2018). [https://knoxfocus.com/archives/this-weeks-focus/mystery-j-will-taylors-death-ii/ The Mystery After J. Will Taylor’s Death, II]. ''The Knoxville Focus''. Retrieved August 5, 2021.</ref> However, Elizabeth Taylor ultimately decided against running for her late father's seat, citing her mother's ill health.

Following the death of incumbent popular congressman [[J. Will Taylor|James Willis "J. Will" Taylor, Jr.]] in 1939, Jennings was among several Republican contenders for the seat, which included Taylor's older daughter Elizabeth.<ref>Hill, Ray (September 3, 2018). [https://knoxfocus.com/archives/this-weeks-focus/mystery-j-will-taylors-death-ii/ The Mystery After J. Will Taylor’s Death, II]. ''The Knoxville Focus''. Retrieved August 5, 2021.</ref> However, Elizabeth Taylor ultimately decided against running for her late father's seat, citing her mother's ill health.

[[File:John Jennings, Jr. bioguide picture.jpg|thumb|left|160px]]

[[File:John Jennings, Jr. bioguide picture.jpg|thumb|left|155px]]

Jennings, who previously unsuccessfully sought to primary Taylor, subsequently received the GOP nomination and faced [[Democrat]] Hammond Fowler, who attacked the authenticity of his support for the [[Tennessee Valley Authority]] ([[TVA]]),<ref>Hill, Ray (September 9, 2018). [https://knoxfocus.com/archives/this-weeks-focus/fight-succeed-j-will-taylor/ The Fight To Succeed J. Will Taylor]. ''The Knoxville Focus''. Retrieved August 5, 2021.</ref> an extremely popular [[New Deal]] agency in the state. Despite such, Jennings still defeated Fowler by a landslide.<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=310771 TN - District 02 - Special Election Race - Dec 30, 1939]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved August 5, 2021.</ref>

Jennings, who previously unsuccessfully sought to primary Taylor, subsequently received the GOP nomination and faced [[Democrat]] Hammond Fowler, who attacked the authenticity of his support for the [[Tennessee Valley Authority]] ([[TVA]]),<ref>Hill, Ray (September 9, 2018). [https://knoxfocus.com/archives/this-weeks-focus/fight-succeed-j-will-taylor/ The Fight To Succeed J. Will Taylor]. ''The Knoxville Focus''. Retrieved August 5, 2021.</ref> an extremely popular [[New Deal]] agency in the state. Despite such, Jennings still defeated Fowler by a landslide.<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=310771 TN - District 02 - Special Election Race - Dec 30, 1939]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved August 5, 2021.</ref>