Tennessee House of Representatives District 97
Tennessee House of Representatives District 97 is represented by John Gillespie (R).
As of the 2020 Census, Tennessee state representatives represented an average of 69,868 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 64,398 residents.
About the chamber
Members of the Tennessee House of Representatives serve two-year terms and are not subject to term limits. Tennessee legislators assume office on the day they are elected in the general election.[1]
Qualifications
To be eligible to serve in the Tennessee State Senate, a candidate must:[2]
- Be U.S. citizen
- Be at least 21 years old before the general election
- Have resided in Tennessee for at least 3 years before the general election
- Have resided in the county or district to be represented for at least 1 year, immediately preceding the election
- Be a qualified voter in the county or district to be represented
The following groups of people are ineligible to run for office:[2]
- Those who have been convicted of offering or giving a bribe, or of larceny, or any other offense declared infamous by law, unless restored to citizenship in the mode pointed out by law;
- Those against whom there is a judgment unpaid for any moneys received by them, in any official capacity, due to the United States, to this state, or any county thereof;
- Those who are defaulters to the treasury at the time of the election (the election of any such person shall be void);
- Soldiers, seamen, marines, or airmen in the regular army or navy or air force of the United States; and
- Members of congress, and persons holding any office of profit or trust under any foreign power, other state of the union, or under the United States.
Salaries
- See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
| State legislative salaries, 2024[3] | |
|---|---|
| Salary | Per diem |
| $28,405.96/year | $326.47/day. Legislators living within 50 miles of the Capitol receive a reduced amount of $47 per day. |
Vacancies
If there is a vacancy in the Tennessee General Assembly, there are two ways a vacancy can be filled. When twelve months or more remain before the next general election, a special election must be held within the allowable time frame set by law. If fewer than twelve months remain before the next general election, members of the legislative body in the county where the vacancy occurred must vote on a replacement.[4]
See sources: Tennessee Const. Art. 2, Sec. 15
District map
Redistricting
2020-2022
On November 22, 2023, the Davidson County Chancery Court struck down the state senate map, declaring it unconstitutional. The court ordered the state to create a new state senate map by January 31, 2024.[5] On April 13, 2022, the Tennessee Supreme Court reversed a ruling by the Davidson County Chancery Court on April 6 blocking the same state senate map. Gov. Lee signed the state's legislative districts into law on February 6, 2022.[6]
On January 18, 2022, the Senate Judiciary Committee recommended state legislative proposals for consideration by the full Senate in a 7-2 vote along party lines, with all Republicans supporting the proposals and all Democrats opposing them.[7] The Senate approved proposals for congressional and Senate maps in a 26-5 party-line vote on January 20, 2022.[8] On January 26, 2022, the Tennessee Senate approved the state House plan.[9] These maps took effect for Tennessee's 2022 legislative elections.
On December 14, 2021, the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee on Redistricting released five state Senate plans and four congressional plans submitted by the public.[10] The Tennessee House Select Committee on Redistricting voted to approve a proposal for House districts, HB 1035, on December 17, 2021.[11] The ad-hoc Senate committee released a state Senate plan on January 13.[12]
How does redistricting in Tennessee work? In Tennessee, both congressional and state legislative district boundaries are drawn by the state legislature. These lines are subject to veto by the governor.[13]
The Tennessee Constitution requires that state Senate districts "preserve counties whole where possible." State statutes mandate that no more than 30 counties may be split across districts. Furthermore, state law requires that state legislative districts be contiguous. There are no such requirements in place for congressional districts.[13]
Tennessee House of Representatives District 97
until November 7, 2022
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Tennessee House of Representatives District 97
starting November 8, 2022
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Elections
2024
See also: Tennessee House of Representatives elections, 2024
General election
General election for Tennessee House of Representatives District 97
Incumbent John Gillespie defeated Jesse Huseth in the general election for Tennessee House of Representatives District 97 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | John Gillespie (R) | 51.7 | 16,352 |
 | Jesse Huseth (D) | 48.3 | 15,275 | |
| Total votes: 31,627 | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 97
Jesse Huseth advanced from the Democratic primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 97 on August 1, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jesse Huseth | 100.0 | 3,100 |
| Total votes: 3,100 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 97
Incumbent John Gillespie defeated Christina Oppenhuizen in the Republican primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 97 on August 1, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | John Gillespie | 95.4 | 4,914 |
 | Christina Oppenhuizen | 4.6 | 236 | |
| Total votes: 5,150 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2022
General election
General election for Tennessee House of Representatives District 97
Incumbent John Gillespie defeated Toniko Harris in the general election for Tennessee House of Representatives District 97 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | John Gillespie (R) | 56.7 | 12,083 |
| Toniko Harris (D) | 43.3 | 9,219 | |
| Total votes: 21,302 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 97
Toniko Harris defeated Houston Wolf in the Democratic primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 97 on August 4, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Toniko Harris | 50.2 | 2,855 |
 | Houston Wolf | 49.8 | 2,835 | |
| Total votes: 5,690 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 97
Incumbent John Gillespie advanced from the Republican primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 97 on August 4, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | John Gillespie | 100.0 | 7,897 |
| Total votes: 7,897 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2020
General election
General election for Tennessee House of Representatives District 97
John Gillespie defeated Gabby Salinas in the general election for Tennessee House of Representatives District 97 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | John Gillespie (R) | 50.8 | 14,712 |
 | Gabby Salinas (D) | 49.2 | 14,246 | |
| Total votes: 28,958 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 97
Gabby Salinas defeated Ruby Powell-Dennis, Allan Creasy, and Clifford Stockton III in the Democratic primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 97 on August 6, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Gabby Salinas | 51.3 | 2,460 |
 | Ruby Powell-Dennis | 25.9 | 1,241 | |
 | Allan Creasy | 13.9 | 665 | |
 | Clifford Stockton III | 9.0 | 432 | |
| Total votes: 4,798 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 97
John Gillespie defeated Brandon Weise in the Republican primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 97 on August 6, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | John Gillespie | 78.2 | 3,628 |
| Brandon Weise | 21.8 | 1,009 | |
| Total votes: 4,637 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2018
General election
General election for Tennessee House of Representatives District 97
Incumbent Jim Coley defeated Allan Creasy in the general election for Tennessee House of Representatives District 97 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Jim Coley (R) | 54.9 | 12,386 |
| Allan Creasy (D) | 45.1 | 10,163 | |
| Total votes: 22,549 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 97
Allan Creasy advanced from the Democratic primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 97 on August 2, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Allan Creasy | 100.0 | 3,825 |
| Total votes: 3,825 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 97
Incumbent Jim Coley advanced from the Republican primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 97 on August 2, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jim Coley | 100.0 | 6,664 |
| Total votes: 6,664 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2016
Elections for the Tennessee House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election was held on August 4, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was April 7, 2016.
Incumbent Jim Coley ran unopposed in the Tennessee House of Representatives District 97 general election.[14][15]
| Tennessee House of Representatives, District 97 General Election, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Republican |  Jim Coley Incumbent (unopposed) | |
| Source: Tennessee Secretary of State | ||
Incumbent Jim Coley ran unopposed in the Tennessee House of Representatives District 97 Republican primary.[16][17]
| Tennessee House of Representatives, District 97 Republican Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Republican | Jim Coley Incumbent (unopposed) | |
2014
Elections for 99 seats in the Tennessee House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on August 7, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was April 3, 2014. Incumbent Jim Coley was unopposed in the Republican primary. Coley was unopposed in the general election.[18][19]
2012
Elections for the office of Tennessee House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on August 2, 2012, and a general election on November 6, 2012. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was April 5, 2011. Incumbent Jim Coley (R) was unopposed in both the general election and Republican primary.[20][21]
Campaign contributions
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From 2000 to 2024, candidates for Tennessee House of Representatives District 97 raised a total of $1,711,063.
Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $63,373 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money
| Campaign contributions, Tennessee House of Representatives District 97 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Amount | Candidates | Average |
| 2024 | $244,121 | 3 | $81,374 |
| 2022 | $214,745 | 3 | $71,582 |
| 2020 | $517,688 | 6 | $86,281 |
| 2018 | $210,971 | 2 | $105,486 |
| 2016 | $32,850 | 1 | $32,850 |
| 2014 | $48,775 | 1 | $48,775 |
| 2012 | $44,618 | 1 | $44,618 |
| 2010 | $27,290 | 1 | $27,290 |
| 2008 | $14,146 | 1 | $14,146 |
| 2006 | $42,036 | 3 | $14,012 |
| 2004 | $171,623 | 2 | $85,812 |
| 2002 | $44,170 | 2 | $22,085 |
| 2000 | $98,031 | 1 | $98,031 |
| Total | $1,711,063 | 27 | $63,373 |
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Tennessee Constitution, "Article II, Section 3," accessed November 1, 2021
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Tennessee Secretary of State, "Qualifications for elected offices in Tennessee," accessed February 10, 2023
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
- ↑ Tennessee Legislature, "Tennessee Constitution," accessed May 22, 2014 (Article II, Section 15)
- ↑ The Tennessean, "Judges rule Tennessee Senate map unconstitutional, order legislature to redraw by Jan. 31," November 22, 2023
- ↑ The Tennessean, "Gov. Bill Lee signs redistricting bills dividing Davidson County into three congressional districts," February 7, 2022
- ↑ Washington Examiner, "Tennessee redistricting maps sent to full Senate for vote," January 19, 2022
- ↑ The Tennessean, "Tennessee senators approve new congressional, Senate districts; House to vote Monday," January 20, 2022
- ↑ The Tennessean, "Senate clears final redistricting map, Memphis and Knoxville House Democrats drawn together," January 26, 2022
- ↑ The Tennessean, "Senate redistricting panel hears public proposals without releasing committee draft," December 14, 2021
- ↑ Williamson Herald, "Tennessee House panel adopts new redistricting plan," December 20, 2021
- ↑ Axios, "Subdued Tennessee Senate redistricting maps released," January 14, 2022
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 All About Redistricting, "Tennessee," accessed May 5, 2015
- ↑ The New York Times, "Election 2016," accessed November 11, 2016
- ↑ Tennessee Secretary of State, "2016 general election results - Tennessee House of Representatives," accessed January 19, 2017
- ↑ Tennessee Secretary of State, "Candidate Petitions Filed as of April 8, 2016 Noon Qualifying Deadline," accessed April 11, 2016
- ↑ Tennessee Secretary of State, "August 4, 2016 Unofficial Election Results," accessed August 4, 2016
- ↑ Tennessee Secretary of State, "August 7, 2014 Election Results," accessed September 11, 2014
- ↑ Tennessee Secretary of State, "Petitions Filed for State Senate and State House of Representatives," accessed April 5, 2014
- ↑ Tennessee Secretary of State, "Official primary results," accessed October 24, 2013
- ↑ "Tennessee Secretary of State - Official general election results," accessed October 24, 2013
