MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) -- Tennessee joining 9 other states for Super Tuesday presidential primary voting today.
Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney are running neck-and-neck in several states, but the vote appears to be shaping up differently here in Tennessee.
In recent poling by Vanderbilt University and Middle Tennessee State University, Santorum was favored by Tennesseans two-to-one over Romney.
MTSU Professor of Political Science Sekou Franklin says Santorum’s emphasis on social issues seems to be swaying Tennessee voters, but he also says that strategy could eventually prove to be a liability for the GOP.
"I think it will ultimately will be a mistake by Republicans to have steered the Republican party in a direction towards these kind of socially conservative issues versus the economy, which should occupy most people's minds."
The MTSU poll was conducted in mid-February so pollsters caution that Tennesseans may have reconsidered their choices in the weeks since.
Remember that Tennessee’s new voter photo ID law is now in force. You’re going to need some type of state or federal photo ID to vote. The polls will be open till 7 this evening in Rutherford County.