The America Party has its first congressional candidate. Bobby Dodge is running in Tennessee's 7th Congressional District special election, aiming to become the first member of Congress from Elon Musk's new party and pledging to represent the "middle 80%" of Americans with fiscal discipline, accountability, and common-sense solutions.
FRANKLIN, Tenn., Aug. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Small-business owner Bobby Dodge has announced his candidacy to become the first member of Congress from the newly formed America Party founded by entrepreneur Elon Musk. Dodge will run in the Dec. 2 special election to fill the vacant seat in Tennessee's 7th Congressional District, following the abrupt resignation of Congressman Mark Green.
The America Party aims to represent the "middle 80%" of Americans who feel left behind by the extreme partisanship of the two major political parties. Dodge says his campaign will focus on fiscal responsibility, government accountability, and practical solutions that unite rather than divide.
"For years, both parties have kept problems alive to fundraise while the debt explodes," said Dodge. "The America Party idea is about the middle 80%, putting people over party, restoring fiscal sanity, and demanding measurable results instead of political theater."
Dodge's passion for public service began as a child attending a Ronald Reagan rally, eventually studying political science, interning in Washington, and volunteering at the Reagan Library. However, his early exposure to politics left him disillusioned with the gap between public rhetoric and private action.
In recent years, that disillusionment turned into determination. Watching both parties take turns blowing out the national debt convinced Dodge that America needs a political realignment. Most recently, Republicans backed a $5 trillion debt ceiling increase, shattering any pretense of fiscal restraint.
Dodge is aligning his campaign with Elon Musk's proposed America Party, which Musk announced in early July. Because the America Party is not currently recognized for ballot access in Tennessee, Dodge will appear on the ballot as an independent, but if elected, he will immediately declare America Party affiliation upon taking office.
A NEW CHOICE FOR THE MIDDLE MAJORITY
The America Party's core message, representing the vast middle instead of the extremes, resonates with Tennesseans, Dodge says. His platform includes:
- Fiscal responsibility: Ending reckless spending that burdens future generations.
- Affordable, effective healthcare: Making care accessible without bureaucratic waste.
- Education, not indoctrination: Strengthening schools while respecting parents' roles.
- Infrastructure that works: Funding essential projects, not political vanity projects.
- Environmental stewardship: Ensuring clean air, water and land without crony subsidies.
ABOUT THE SPECIAL ELECTION
The Tennessee special election to replace Rep. Mark Green will have a primary on Oct. 7, 2025, for candidates running under the two recognized political parties, followed by the general election on Dec. 2, 2025. As an independent, Dodge will bypass the primary and appear directly on the December ballot.
Dodge says his grassroots campaign will rely on direct voter contact and frequent issue videos on X and YouTube at @TheMid80 rather than traditional party machinery.
Media Contact
Bobby Dodge, People For Bobby Dodge, 1 615-405-1477, [email protected], bobbydodge.com
SOURCE People For Bobby Dodge
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