← Back to Shelby County, Tennessee: Election on 2026-08-06
Contest for Tennessee House District 98
State House District 98
primary - Partisan - State Representative District 98
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 — together with the Senate — 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 — 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 — Grasps both the economic-development needs of the district and the day-to-day concerns of individual residents — safety, healthcare, education, infrastructure.
- Persuasion — Engages, listens to, and persuades both fellow legislators and constituents. Can change minds and explain votes honestly.
- Legislative craft — 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 — 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
Antonio Parkinson
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Serving since the 107th General Assembly, the candidate holds seats on Finance, Ways, and Means; Education Administration; and Civil Justice committees, including subcommittees for higher education and civil justice. This committee work provides direct exposure to budget literacy, legislative process, and policy judgment on criminal justice and education matters. As Chair of the Tennessee Black Caucus and Vice Chairman of the Democratic Caucus, he demonstrates coordination with party leadership. His founding of community initiatives like Fresh Starts and ABetterMemphis.Com reflects constituent relations experience in Shelby County.
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