Yusuf Hakeem

Current office and 2026 campaign

Yusuf A. Hakeem (Democratic Party) currently serves as a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 28, having assumed office on November 6, 2018 ¹¹⁵. His current term is scheduled to end on November 3, 2026 ¹. Hakeem is seeking re-election to represent District 28 in the upcoming 2026 election cycle ⁶. He has secured a spot on the ballot for the Democratic primary, which is scheduled to take place on August 6, 2026 ¹⁶.

During the early stages of the 2026 campaign, Hakeem has engaged in constituent outreach through town hall meetings held at the Bessie Smith Cultural Center in Chattanooga ⁸⁹. These events were designed to preview topics for the 2026 legislative session, including school funding, public safety, and voting rights ⁸⁹. In January 2026, Hakeem also raised questions regarding transparency in a state partnership with Turning Point USA and the introduction of "Club America" into Tennessee's public high schools ¹⁴¹⁷.

As lawmakers reconvened for a special session to redraw congressional districts mid-decade, Hakeem issued statements criticizing the new maps as "flat-out un-American," citing concerns over the weakening of Voting Rights Act protections ¹³. His campaign has characterized his re-election bid as necessary to oppose what it describes as "extreme, out-of-touch bills" proposed by Republican leaders during the upcoming legislative session ⁶. Hakeem self-describes as a fierce advocate for public education, equitable community investment, and funding for quality, accessible healthcare ⁶.

Background and education

Yusuf A. Hakeem was born on December 5, 1948, in Chattanooga, Tennessee ²³. He was born and raised in Chattanooga ⁵. Hakeem is a graduate of Howard High School and Chattanooga State ¹⁰. He attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga to study political science and government from 1985 to 2004 ³. In 2012, he attended the Second Missionary Baptist Church School of Evangelism ³. Hakeem is certified in electronics ³.

Hakeem resides in Chattanooga with his wife, Baseemah, whom he has been married to for fifty years as of 2024 ⁵. The couple has four children: Aaliyah, Sandra, Malika, and Malik ³⁵.

Career

Yusuf A. Hakeem was born and raised in Chattanooga ⁵. He attended Second Missionary Baptist Church School of Evangelism, graduating in 2012, and studied Political Science and Government at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga from 1985 to 2004 ³. He is a graduate of Howard High School and Chattanooga State ¹⁰. Hakeem holds a certification in Electronics from Chattanooga State ³.

Hakeem’s professional background includes service on the Tennessee Board of Probation and Parole, where he served for seven years ¹⁰. He also served six years on the Tennessee Human Rights Commission ¹⁰. Prior to his state legislative career, Hakeem served 19 years on the Chattanooga City Council ¹⁰. During his tenure on the city council, he passed "Ban the Box" legislation, which required employers to remove questions about criminal history from initial job applications ¹⁸. He also served ten years on the Chattanooga Public School Board ¹⁰.

Office history

Yusuf A. Hakeem served on the Chattanooga City Council from the 9th district for two non-consecutive terms, first from 1990 to 2006 and again from 2013 to 2017 ². During his tenure as a city council member, he passed "Ban the Box" legislation, which required employers to remove questions about criminal history from initial job applications ¹⁸. In 2006, Hakeem was unseated from the Chattanooga City Council by Demetrus Coonrod ¹⁰¹².

Prior to his state legislative service, Hakeem served on the Tennessee Board of Probation and Parole for seven years ¹⁰¹⁸. He also served six years on the Tennessee Human Rights Commission and ten years on the Chattanooga Public School Board ¹⁰.

Hakeem was first elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives in 2018, defeating four competitors in the Democratic primary for District 28 ¹⁰. He assumed office on November 6, 2018, succeeding Joanne Favors ¹². In the 2024 general election, Hakeem won re-election to a second term, defeating independent candidate Dr. Thomas J. Brooks III ¹¹.

As of May 2026, Hakeem is serving his current term in the Tennessee House of Representatives, which ends on November 3, 2026 ¹. He serves as a member of the Education Instruction Committee, the Senate Government Operations Committee, and the Health Committee ¹. In January 2026, he announced his intention to seek re-election to represent District 28 in the upcoming August Democratic primary and November general election ⁶.

Legislative record and accomplishments

Rep. Yusuf Hakeem has served in the Tennessee House of Representatives since November 6, 2018, representing District 28 ¹. During the 2023-2024 legislative session, he held assignments on the Education Instruction Committee, Senate Government Operations Committee, Health Committee, and Government Operations Committee ¹. His legislative history includes voting against several measures identified by the Family Action Council of Tennessee, including SB 16/HB 1 (Tennessee Sports Gaming Act), SB 1257/HB 1029 (Human Life Protection Act), SB 1373/HB 307 (Elective Religious Courses for Credit), and SB 2196/HB 2263 (Governor Lee's Pro-Life Bill) ¹⁶.

Hakeem has positioned himself as an advocate for public education, equitable community investment, and healthcare funding ⁶. In January 2026, he raised questions regarding the transparency of a state partnership with Turning Point USA and the introduction of "Club America" into public high schools, sending a letter to Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds to clarify that his concerns were not based on opposition to civic engagement ¹⁴¹⁷. He also criticized the Tennessee Board of Regents for removing the Chattanooga Eastdale site from consideration as a future hospital location ¹⁷.

In May 2026, Hakeem issued a statement opposing new congressional maps drawn during a special session, describing them as "flat-out un-American" and citing the weakening of Voting Rights Act protections as a catalyst for the redistricting effort ¹³. He has also engaged in broader political discourse, noting that increased voter registration efforts in Memphis have created legislative challenges for the city by prompting state laws that counter local initiatives ⁴. Prior to his state service, Hakeem was credited with passing "Ban the Box" legislation while serving on the Chattanooga City Council ¹⁸.

Documented disputes and controversies

In 2018, Hakeem defeated four competitors in the Democratic primary for District 28, a race that included former Chattanooga City Council member Demetrus Coonrod, whom Hakeem had previously unseated from city council ¹⁰. Hakeem secured the nomination with the endorsement of former representative JoAnne Favors ¹⁰.

In 2024, Coonrod announced her challenge to Hakeem in the Democratic primary for District 28 ¹². The contest also featured independent candidate Dr. Thomas J. Brooks III, a physician from Nashville ¹¹. Following the election, Coonrod stated that the Hamilton County Democrat Party had impeded her campaign and that she faced threats to supporters and negative campaigning ⁷. Hakeem won the seat, defeating both Coonrod and Brooks ⁷.

In May 2026, Hakeem issued a statement criticizing new congressional maps being drawn during a special session, describing them as "flat-out un-American" and linking the redistricting to the weakening of Voting Rights Act protections ¹³.

Also in 2026, Hakeem sent a letter to Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds questioning the transparency of a state partnership with Turning Point USA and the introduction of its "Club America" program into public high schools ¹⁷. Hakeem stated that his concerns were not based on opposition to civic engagement ¹⁷.

Family

Yusuf A. Hakeem is married to Baseemah ³. The couple celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2024 ⁵. They have four children: Aaliyah, Sandra, Malika, and Malik ³. Hakeem also has four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren ⁵.

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