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The Student News Site of Middle Tennessee State University

MTSU Sidelines

The Student News Site of Middle Tennessee State University

MTSU Sidelines

The Rutherford County Republican Party sign hangs at the Rutherford County GOP headquarters in Murfreesboro, Tennessee on Nov. 5, 2024 (Photo by Vanessa Hamel)

Sparks defeats Mata in close race for Tennessee’s 49th District

Hannah Ferreira, Staff reporter November 5, 2024
Republican Mike Sparks defeated Democrat Luis Mata in a race to represent Tennessee’s 49th House district on Nov. 5, 2024.
Luis Mata poses for a .5 selfie with a group of supporters in La Vergne, Tennessee, on Oct. 20, 2024. (Photo by Shauna Reynolds)

‘One door at a time’: Luis Mata’s young staffers push to flip a Tennessee House seat

Shauna Reynolds, Features editor October 28, 2024
On a hot Sunday morning, 44 days before the November election, Tennessee State House candidate Luis Mata gathered with volunteers and staff at a local park. Again.  Mata and his team are strikingly young. Young volunteers, young staff, young candidate. What they lack in age, they compensate for with determination. 
The Smyrna Depot District building (left) and Front Street (right). (Photo by Caleb Revill).

Mike Sparks vs. Luis Mata: Rutherford County’s most competitive race

Jackson Thomas, Contributing writer October 15, 2024

One of the most competitive local races in the 2024 election for Tennessee is District 49’s Tennessee State House of Representatives race with candidates Mike Sparks and Luis Mata.  District...

Signs indicate that specific locations are polling locations throughout the election in Murfreesboro, Tennessee (Photo by Makayla Boling)

Third-party voting: Do MTSU students believe it a viable option?

Alyssa Williams, Managing editor September 16, 2024

As the election draws closer, the debate over third-party voting grows in size, MTSU students included.  In an increase from previous years, 63% of U.S. adults in 2024 agree that a third...

Luis Mata and Morgan Woodberry discuss the future of American democracy with students. (Taken by Ethan Schmidt)

MTSU College Democrats host forum with political candidates to spark awareness about upcoming elections

Ethan Schmidt April 8, 2024

Featured photo by Ethan Schmidt Story by Ethan Schmidt If you want more news like this, sign up for the Sidelines weekly newsletter here! Find it in your inbox every Thursday afternoon. The MTSU College...

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Luis Mata