Dixie officially enters District 7 congressional race

State of play: Fellow Democratic state Reps. Aftyn Behn and Bo Mitchell also announced bids.

What he's saying: Dixie, a 51-year-old small-business person, tells Axios he "didn't see anybody just fighting for the everyday person."

• "I'm running because too many working families feel like no one in Washington has their back," he says. "I'm stepping up to make sure people who cook our meals, teach our kids and who care for our loved ones are really being taken care of."

Zoom out: Because the seat will be filled with a special election with lower turnout, Democrats feel they have a puncher's chance. The district includes parts of Nashville and stretches from Williamson County to Clarksville.

• "This is a chance to change the direction of politics in Tennessee," Dixie says. "I think I'm the only one who can build a coalition it'll take to win the seat. Black and brown voters in Nashville feel overlooked, and rural voters want someone with common sense and real-world experience."

Reality check: Green easily won reelection last year, defeating former Nashville Mayor Megan Barry.

• Green has endorsed Republican candidate Matt Van Epps, a former cabinet member of Gov. Bill Lee.