Ballot Project

← Back to Shelby County, Tennessee: Election on 2026-08-06

Contest for Tennessee House District 88

State House District 88
primary - Partisan - State Representative District 88

About this office

The Tennessee House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the state legislature, with 99 members elected from single-member districts to two-year terms. Representatives pass state laws, originate revenue bills, approve the state budget, and β€” together with the Senate β€” confirm gubernatorial appointments and propose constitutional amendments. Candidates must be at least 21 years old, U.S. citizens, Tennessee residents for at least three years, and district residents for at least one year.

Term length: 2 years.

This role calls for

  • Integrity β€” Acts in the interest of constituents and the public good rather than for personal gain, and remains independent of undue influence from donors, lobbyists, and party leadership.
  • Understanding of the constituency β€” Grasps both the economic-development needs of the district and the day-to-day concerns of individual residents β€” safety, healthcare, education, infrastructure.
  • Persuasion β€” Engages, listens to, and persuades both fellow legislators and constituents. Can change minds and explain votes honestly.
  • Legislative craft β€” Reads, drafts, and amends statute with care. Understands how specific bill language translates to outcomes, and knows the body of law being modified.
  • Coalition-building β€” Finds common ground across partisan and factional lines, brokers compromises that hold, and forms working majorities even when consensus is hard to reach.

Derived from the office's statutory duties and operational reality. Candidate summaries below map each candidate's documented experience to these requirements.

Campaigns

Democratic Primary 1 candidate
Larry J. Miller

Larry J. Miller

πŸ‘ πŸ‘Ž 🀑 😑 🀷
Miller serves as House Democrat Leader Pro Tempore and sits on the Finance, Ways, and Means Committee, addressing budget literacy and legislative process. His tenure from the 98th through 113th General Assemblies demonstrates sustained experience in drafting and voting on bills. He coordinates with local governments via the Memphis-Shelby County New Arena Public Building Authority, aiding constituent relations in Shelby County. Miller’s role as Region IV Director for the National Black Caucus of State Legislators supports coordination with other officials. Bio does not indicate specific policy judgment on criminal justice or health matters, nor detailed statutory training.
Know something about this race we don't? Submit a contribution →