Tennessee state legislative Republican primaries, 2018
- General election: Nov. 6
- Voter registration deadline: Oct. 9
- Early voting: Oct. 17 - Nov. 1
- Absentee voting deadline: Nov. 6
- Online registration: Yes
- Same-day registration: No
- Voter ID: Photo ID required
- Poll times: 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.[2]
| 2018 Tennessee General Assembly elections | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General | November 6, 2018 |
| Primary | August 2, 2018 |
| 2018 elections | |
|---|---|
| Choose a chamber below: | |
In the August 2 Tennessee state House primaries, challengers and incumbents clashed over Gov. Bill Haslam's (R) 2017 proposal to raise the gas tax to fund infrastructure projects. In District 49, challenger Tim Morrell criticized incumbent Mike Sparks for opposing the Haslam plan, while in District 92, state Rep. Rick Tillis faced criticism from former incumbent Billy Spivey for supporting the plan.[3] Both incumbents were re-elected.
Spivey was not the only former legislator who aimed for a political comeback. Former state Sen. Mike Williams challenged state Rep. Jerry Sexton in House District 35 and former state Sen. Stacey Campfield ran to replace retiring state Rep. Roger Kane in District 89.[3] Williams and Campfield were both defeated.
The Republican primary elections for the seats in the Tennessee State Senate and the Tennessee House of Representatives were on August 2, 2018. For information about the Democratic primary elections in Tennessee, click here.
The general election was on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline was April 5, 2018. In the state Senate, 17 of 33 seats were up for election. In the state House, all 99 seats were up for election.
As of August 2018, Tennessee was one of 26 Republican trifectas. A state government trifecta is a term used to describe a single-party government where one political party holds the governor's office and a majority in both chambers of the state legislature. To find out more about state government trifectas, click here.
Incumbents who did not advance to the general election
Retiring incumbents
Two Republican state Senate incumbents did not seek re-election.
- Bill Ketron (District 13)
- Shane Reeves (District 14)
Eighteen Republican state House incumbents did not seek re-election.
- Tilman Goins (District 10)
- Harry Brooks (District 19)
- Jimmy Matlock (District 21)
- John W. Forgety (District 23)
- Kevin Brooks (District 24)
- Gerald McCormick (District 26)
- Marc Gravitt (District 30)
- Dawn White (District 37)
- David Alexander (District 39)
- Courtney Rogers (District 45)
- Judd Matheny (District 47)
- Beth Harwell (District 56)
- Charles Sargent, Jr. (District 61)
- Sheila Butt (District 64)
- Steve McDaniel (District 72)
- Jimmy Eldridge (District 73)
- Roger Kane (District 89)
- Ron Lollar (District 99)[4]
Incumbents defeated
Two Republican state House incumbents were defeated in their primaries.
- Barry Doss (District 70)
- Tim Wirgau (District 75)
Competitiveness
The number of candidates running in 2018 increased to 305 from 278 in 2016 and 221 in 2014. There were 30 contested Democratic primaries in 2018 compared to nine in 2016 and ten in 2014.
| Year | Total seats | Open seats | Total candidates | Democratic primaries contested | Republican primaries contested | Total contested | Incumbents contested in primaries | Total incumbents contested in primaries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 117 | 26 | 305 | 30 | 37 | 28.6% | 27 | 29.7% |
| 2016 | 115 | 7 | 278 | 9 | 34 | 18.7% | 34 | 31.5% |
| 2014 | 117 | 13 | 221 | 10 | 34 | 21.9% | 24 | 23.1% |
Partisan control
The tables below show the partisan breakdowns of the Tennessee House of Representatives and the Tennessee State Senate as of August 2018:
Tennessee House of Representatives
| Party | As of August 2018 | |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic Party | 25 | |
| Republican Party | 73 | |
| Vacancies | 1 | |
| Total | 99 | |
Tennessee State Senate
| Party | As of August 2018 | |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic Party | 5 | |
| Republican Party | 28 | |
| Vacancies | 1 | |
| Total | 33 | |
Battleground races
Ballotpedia identified battleground races in the 2018 Tennessee state legislative Republican primary elections. These primaries had the potential to be more competitive than other races and could have led to changes in the membership of the Republican caucus or had an impact on general election races.
To determine the Tennessee state legislative Republican primary battleground races in 2018, Ballotpedia examined races that fit one or more of the three factors listed below:
- Identified by the media as a notable primary election.
- One or more of the candidates received a notable endorsement.
- The primary was known to be competitive based on past results or because it was a rematch of a primary that was competitive in the past.
House battlegrounds
District 35
What made this a battleground race?
| Incumbent Jerry Sexton faced a challenge from former state Sen. Mike Williams. Williams left the Republican Party in 2007 over disagreements with Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey (R) and unsuccessfully sought re-election as an independent in 2008. Grainger County Commissioner James Acuff also filed to run.[3] |
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 35
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Jerry Sexton | 44.5 | 4,533 |
| Mike Williams | 31.5 | 3,205 | ||
| James Acuff | 24.0 | 2,439 | ||
| Total votes: 10,177 | |||
 = 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. | ||||
District 49
What made this a battleground race?
| Tennessee state Rep. Mike Sparks (R) faced Smyrna Town Councilman Tim Morrell, marking the third consecutive election cycle in which Sparks had an intra-party rival for the nomination. Morrell said Sparks was hostile to necessary infrastructure legislation, including Gov. Bill Haslam’s (R) 2017 plan to raise gas taxes to support road projects. Sparks said he opposed tax increases and thought the state should better manage existing revenue. Sparks’ previous challengers were Rutherford County Commissioner Robert Stevens in 2014 and Rutherford County Board of Education member Aaron Holladay in 2016. He beat Stevens by 8.4 percent and Holladay by 56 percent.[5] |
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 49
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Mike Sparks | 51.0 | 2,430 |
| Tim Morrell | 49.0 | 2,335 | ||
| Total votes: 4,765 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
District 89
What made this a battleground race?
| Five Republicans filed to replace retiring state Rep. Roger Kane. Among them was former state Sen. Stacey Campfield, who was defeated in his 2014 primary. Other primary candidates were former Knox County Sheriff Tim Hutchison, businessman Justin Lafferty, attorney Jesse Nelson, and physician Guy Smoak.[3] |
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 89
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Justin Lafferty | 30.3 | 2,734 |
 | Tim Hutchison | 25.7 | 2,322 | |
 | Stacey Campfield | 21.4 | 1,929 | |
| Guy Smoak | 11.4 | 1,029 | ||
| Jesse Nelson | 11.3 | 1,019 | ||
| Total votes: 9,033 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
District 92
What made this a battleground race?
| Incumbent Rick Tillis faced a challenge from former state Rep. Billy Spivey. Spivey criticized Tillis for voting for Gov. Bill Haslam’s (R) 2017 plan to raise gas taxes to support road projects.[3] |
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 92
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Thomas R. Tillis | 57.2 | 4,788 |
 | Billy Spivey | 42.8 | 3,586 | |
| Total votes: 8,374 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Voter information
How the primary works
A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election. Tennessee utilizes an open primary process; a voter must either be registered with a political party or must declare his or affiliation with the party at the polls on primary election day in order to vote in that party's primary.[6][7]
For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article.
Poll times
Each county election commission must determine the opening time for polling places in the county at least 15 days before an election, with certain requirements based on county population. All polling places close at 7 p.m. CST (8 p.m. EST). The polls must be open for a minimum of 10 consecutive hours, but not more than 13 hours. An individual who is in line at the time polls close must be allowed to vote.[8][9][10]
Registration requirements
- Check your voter registration status here.
To register to vote in Tennessee, an applicant must be a citizen of the United States, a resident of Tennessee, and at least 18 years old by the day of the next election.[11]
Prospective voters can register online, by mailing a voter registration application to the county election commission, or in person at a variety of locations including the county clerk’s office, the county election commission office, public libraries, and numerous state agencies. Registration must be completed 30 days before an election.[11]
Automatic registration
Tennessee does not practice automatic voter registration.[12]
Online registration
- See also: Online voter registration
Tennessee has implemented an online voter registration system. Residents can register to vote by visiting this website.
Same-day registration
Tennessee does not allow same-day voter registration.[12]
Residency requirements
To register to vote in Tennessee, you must be a resident of the state.[11]
Verification of citizenship
Tennessee does not require proof of citizenship for voter registration. An individual must attest that they are a U.S. citizen when registering to vote. According to the state's voter registration application, providing false information on an application "is a felony punishable by not less than two (2) years nor more than twelve (12) years imprisonment or a fine of $5,000 or both."[13]
Tennessee law requires election officials to conduct check of voter registration applicants' citizenship status. Section 2-2-141 of the Tennessee Code states the following:
| “ |
‘’’2-2-141. Proof of citizenship for registering to vote.’’’ (a) The coordinator of elections shall compare the statewide voter registration database with the department of safety database to ensure non-United States citizens are not registered to vote in this state. The coordinator of elections is authorized to compare the statewide voter registration database with relevant federal and state agencies and county records for the same purpose. If evidence exists that a particular registered voter is not a citizen of the United States, the coordinator of elections shall notify the county election commission where the person registered to vote that the registered voter may not be a citizen of the United States. (b) After receiving such notice, the county election commission shall send a notice to the registered voter inquiring whether the individual is eligible to be registered to vote. Any registered voter who receives the notice shall, within thirty (30) days of the receipt of such notice, provide proof of citizenship to the county election commission.[14] |
” |
| —Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-2-141[15] | ||
All 49 states with voter registration systems require applicants to declare that they are U.S. citizens in order to register to vote in state and federal elections, under penalty of perjury or other punishment.[16] As of January 2025, six states — Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, and New Hampshire — had passed laws requiring verification of citizenship at the time of voter registration. However, only two of those states' laws were in effect, in Arizona and New Hampshire. In three states — California, Maryland, and Vermont — at least one local jurisdiction allowed noncitizens to vote in some local elections as of November 2024. Noncitizens registering to vote in those elections must complete a voter registration application provided by the local jurisdiction and are not eligible to register as state or federal voters.
Verifying your registration
The Tennessee secretary of state’s office allows residents to check their voter registration status online by visiting this website.
Voter ID requirements
Tennessee requires voters to present photo identification while voting.[17]
Voters can present the following forms of identification:
- Tennessee driver’s license with photo
- United States passport
- Photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security
- Photo ID issued by the federal or Tennessee state government
- United States Military photo ID
- Tennessee handgun carry permit with photo
The following voters are exempt from the photo ID requirements:
- Voters who vote absentee by mail
- Voters who are residents of a licensed nursing home or assisted living center and who vote at the facility
- Voters who are hospitalized
- Voters with a religious objection to being photographed
- Voters who are indigent and unable to obtain a photo ID without paying a fee
Voters can obtain a free photo ID from the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security at any participating driver service center. In order to receive an ID, a voter must bring proof of citizenship (such as a birth certificate) and two proofs of Tennessee residency (such as a voter registration card, a utility bill, vehicle registration or title, or bank statement). Visit the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security's Voter Photo ID page for more information.[17]
Early voting
Tennessee permits early voting. Learn more by visiting this website.
Early voting begins 20 days before an election and ends five days before an election, except for presidential primaries, when early voting closes seven days before the primary. Early voting is held at county election commission offices and satellite voting locations.[18]
Early voting permits citizens to cast ballots in person at a polling place prior to an election. In states that permit no-excuse early voting, a voter does not have to provide an excuse for being unable to vote on Election Day. States that allow voters to cast no-excuse absentee/mail-in ballots in person are counted as no-excuse early voting states.
As of February 2024, 47 states and the District of Columbia permitted no-excuse early voting.
Absentee voting
According to the Tennessee secretary of state's office:[19]
| “ |
You can vote absentee by-mail if you fall under one of the following categories:
NOTE: If you reside in a licensed nursing home, assisted living facility, home for the aged, or an independent living facility on the same property as a licensed nursing home, assisted living facility, or home for the aged inside your county of residence, you may not vote absentee by-mail. Election officials will come to the facility to vote eligible residents, or you may vote during early voting or on Election Day.[14] |
” |
Absentee ballot applications may not be submitted more than 90 days before an election and must be received by the county election commission no later than 10 days before an election. The completed ballot must be returned by mail and received by the county election commission by the close of polls on Election Day.[19][20]
See also
- Tennessee state legislative Democratic primaries, 2018
- Tennessee House of Representatives elections, 2018
- Tennessee State Senate elections, 2018
- Tennessee State Legislature
- Tennessee elections, 2018
Footnotes
- ↑ In Tennessee, most polling places were open between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. All precincts closed at 8:00 p.m. Eastern and 7:00 p.m. Central.
- ↑ In Tennessee, most polling places were open between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. All precincts closed at 8:00 p.m. Eastern and 7:00 p.m. Central.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 WREG, "A look at key primary legislative races in Tennessee," July 30, 2018
- ↑ Lollar died in July 2018.
- ↑ Daily News Journal, "State Rep. Mike Sparks faces GOP competition from Smyrna Town Councilman Tim Morrell," April 9, 2018
- ↑ NCSL,"State Primary Election Types," accessed October 4, 2024
- ↑ Lexis, "Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-7-115," accessed October 4, 2024
- ↑ LexisNexis, "Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-3-201", accessed August 15, 2024
- ↑ LexisNexis, "Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-7-127," accessed August 15, 2024
- ↑ Tennessee Secretary of State, "Everything You Need to Know to #GoVoteTN Tuesday," accessed August 15, 2024
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Tennessee Secretary of State, "Register to Vote," accessed May 3, 2023
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 NCSL, "State Profiles: Elections," accessed August 13, 2024
- ↑ Tennessee Secretary of State, "Tennessee Mail-In Application For Voter Registration," accessed November 15, 2024
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ LexisNexis, “Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-2-141,” accessed November 14, 2024
- ↑ Under federal law, the national mail voter registration application (a version of which is in use in all states with voter registration systems) requires applicants to indicate that they are U.S. citizens in order to complete an application to vote in state or federal elections, but does not require voters to provide documentary proof of citizenship. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the application "may require only the minimum amount of information necessary to prevent duplicate voter registrations and permit State officials both to determine the eligibility of the applicant to vote and to administer the voting process."
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 Tennesse Secretary of State, "What ID is required when voting?" accessed May 3, 2023 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "tvid" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ Tennessee Secretary of State, "How to Early Vote - In Person," accessed August 15, 2024
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 Tennessee Secretary of State, "Guide to Absentee Voting," accessed August 15, 2024
- ↑ Casetext, "Tenn. Code § 2-6-201," accessed November 12, 2024
