15 districts getting new representatives
Put seven Tennessee House members in a room, and one of them is bound not to be there by the next legislative session.
In total, at least 15 of the 99 House seats, or one out of every seven, will have a new representatives in 2023, according to filings from the secretary of state’s office.
One House member resigned last month, another was appointed to an open state Senate seat and 13 aren’t running for reelection. Twelve are Republicans and three are Democrats.
Democrats are likely to lose four members of its caucus. Former Rep. London Lamar, D-memphis, left after she was appointed to fill the seat of former Sen. Katrina Robinson, D-memphis. Robinson was expelled for a wire fraud conviction. Rep. Mike Stewart, Dnashville, is not seeking another term.
The fourth, Rep. John Mark Windle, D-livingston, filed to run as an independent. Windle has represented the Livingston area as a Democrat for almost 30 years.
The Republican turnover comes as a federal investigation hangs over the House Republicans caucus. Rep. Robin Smith, R-hixson, resigned earlier this year after she pleaded guilty to a federal wire charge.
Former House Speaker and current Rep. Glen Casada, R-franklin, who is mentioned by title, but not name, in Smith’s charging documents is also not seeking reelection. Casada is running for Williamson County clerk this year.
In 2018, 26 House members chose not to run for reelection. In 2020, six members chose not to run for reelection and five incumbents lost.
In the Senate, the amount of incumbents forgoing a reelection were set to be finalized Thursday. A three-judge panel in Tennessee struck down the Senate restricting map and required it be redrawn and set a new qualifying deadline of May 5. But the state Supreme Court reversed that decision and set Thursday as the new deadline.
Who won’t be in House next year?
• Rep. David Byrd, R-waynesboro
• Rep. Kent Calfee, R-kingston
• Rep. Glen Casada, R-franklin. He is not seeking reelection in order to run for Williamson County clerk. In 2019, he resigned his position as House speaker. He is also under federal investigation
• Rep. Michael Curcio, R-dickson
• Rep. Bruce Griffey, R-paris
• Rep. Curtis Halford, R-dyer
• Rep. Mark Hall, R-cleveland
• Rep. Jason Hodges, D-clarksville h Former Rep. London Lamar, Dmemphis. She resigned the seat after being appointed to a state Senate seat. She’s running for reelection in the Senate.
• Rep. Eddie Mannis, R-knoxville
• Rep. Jason Potts, D-nashville
• Rep. Brandon Ogles, R-franklin
• Rep. Jerry Sexton, R-bean Station
• Rep. Mike Stewart, D-nashville
• Former Rep. Robin Smith, R-hixson. She resigned and pleaded guilty to a federal wire fraud charge.