{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nJohn Gillespie is a Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives representing District 97, which includes most of East Memphis and parts of Cordova [1][3][7]. He assumed office on January 12, 2021, succeeding Jim Coley [4]. His current term is scheduled to end on November 3, 2026 [1].\n\nGillespie is seeking re-election to the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 97 as a Republican [1]. He is listed on the ballot for the Republican primary election scheduled for August 6, 2026 [1]. In his campaign communications, he self-describes violent crime combatting as his top priority and states that his work focuses on community safety, supporting small businesses, and improving schools [8].\n\nDuring his tenure, Gillespie has served as Vice Chairman of the Finance, Ways, and Means Committee and is a member of the Health Committee [9][10]. He sponsored legislation known as the MSTF Accountability Act, which passed the House with 74 ayes and 21 noes before heading to the Senate [6]. Gillespie was previously re-elected in 2022 [4].\n\n## Background and education\n\nJohn Gillespie was born on January 17, 1987, in Memphis, Tennessee [4][5]. He is a native Memphian and the son of Elizabeth and the late Trow Gillespie [9][10]. Gillespie self-describes as having two brothers, two nieces, and a nephew, and he is engaged to be married to Mackenzie Daniel, a college counselor [9].\n\nGillespie earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from High Point University in North Carolina [1][2][9][10]. He is a longtime member of Saint John the Divine Episcopal Church [10].\n\n## Career\n\nJohn Gillespie earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from High Point University [1][2][9]. Prior to his legislative service, he worked as a financial professional [1]. He is a native Memphian and the son of Elizabeth and the late Trow Gillespie [9][10].\n\nGillespie self-describes his career focus as supporting small businesses and combating violent crime, which he states is the greatest challenge facing Memphis [8]. He serves as Vice Chairman of the Finance, Ways, and Means Committee and is a member of the Health Committee [9][10].\n\n## Office history\n\nJohn Gillespie was first elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives in 2020, representing District 97, which includes most of East Memphis and parts of Cordova[7]. He assumed office on January 12, 2021, succeeding Jim Coley[4]. Members of the Tennessee House serve two-year terms[3]. Gillespie was re-elected to a second term in 2022[4].\n\nAs of 2026, Gillespie is serving his third term in the Tennessee House of Representatives[9]. He currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Finance, Ways, and Means Committee and is a member of the Health Committee[9]. His legislative priorities include combating violent crime, supporting small businesses, and improving schools[8].\n\nGillespie is on the ballot for re-election to represent District 97 in the Republican primary scheduled for August 6, 2026[1]. The outcome of this upcoming election is unknown[1].\n\n## Legislative record and accomplishments\n\nGillespie has identified combating violent crime as his top priority, a stance he self-describes on his campaign website [8]. In support of this goal, he sponsored legislation requiring violent felons to be registered sex offenders [7]. He also supported the Memphis Safe Task Force Accountability Act, which passed the Tennessee House with 74 ayes and 21 noes before heading to the Senate; Gillespie was among two Republican members demanding greater transparency from entities involved in the task force [6].\n\nIn terms of legislative service, Gillespie serves as Vice Chairman of the Finance, Ways, and Means Committee and is a member of the Health Committee [9]. He also sits on the Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee and the Population Health Subcommittee [10]. His policy focus includes fighting to make communities safer, supporting small businesses, and improving schools [8].\n\n## Family\n\nGillespie is a native Memphian and the son of Elizabeth and the late Trow Gillespie [9][10]. He has two brothers, two nieces, and a nephew [9][10]. He is engaged to be married to Mackenzie Daniel, who works as a college counselor [9].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [John Gillespie - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/John_Gillespie)\n[2] (source #2 not in master list)\n[3] [Tennessee House of Representatives District 97 - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Tennessee_House_of_Representatives_District_97)\n[4] [John Gillespie (Tennessee politician) - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Gillespie_(Tennessee))\n[5] [John Gillespie (Tennessee politician) - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Gillespie_(Tennessee_politician))\n[6] [John Gillespie - Memphis Local, Sports, Business & Food News | Daily Memphian](https://dailymemphian.com/index/tag?tag=John+Gillespie)\n[7] [John Gillespie wins Tennessee House District 97 after Jesse Huseth concedes](https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/politics/elections/tennessee-house-district-97-whos-on-the-ballot/522-9c110695-4ac6-4711-bc41-63b8accbe478)\n[8] [Home - John Gillespie for Tennessee House District 97](https://repjohngillespie.com/)\n[9] [About - John Gillespie for Tennessee House District 97](https://repjohngillespie.com/about/)\n[10] [Representative John Gillespie \u2014 Tennessee House Republican Caucus](https://tnhousegop.org/members/representative-john-gillespie/)","campaigns":[{"contest":"tennessee_house_district_97","county":"shelby","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"primary","state":"TN","title":"Tennessee House District 97"},{"contest":"state_representative_district_97","county":"Shelby","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Tue, 05 Nov 2024 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"TN","title":"State Representative District 97"},{"contest":"state_representative_district_97","county":"Shelby","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Thu, 01 Aug 2024 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"primary","state":"TN","title":"State Representative District 97"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"John","fullname":"John Gillespie","lastname":"Gillespie","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"tennessee_house_district_97","contest_title":"Tennessee House District 97","county":"shelby","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"state_house_97","office_title":null,"party":"R","pgr":"primary","state":"TN"},{"contest":"state_representative_district_97","contest_title":"State Representative District 97","county":"Shelby","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2024-11-05","office_county":null,"office_key":"state_house_97","office_title":null,"party":"R","pgr":"general","state":"TN"},{"contest":"state_representative_district_97","contest_title":"State Representative District 97","county":"Shelby","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2024-08-01","office_county":null,"office_key":"state_house_97","office_title":null,"party":"Republican","pgr":"primary","state":"TN"}],"county":null,"cycles":[{"general":null,"party":"R","primary":{"contest":"tennessee_house_district_97","contest_title":"Tennessee House District 97","county":"shelby","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"state_house_97","office_title":null,"party":"R","pgr":"primary","state":"TN"},"term":null,"year":2026},{"general":{"contest":"state_representative_district_97","contest_title":"State Representative District 97","county":"Shelby","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2024-11-05","office_county":null,"office_key":"state_house_97","office_title":null,"party":"R","pgr":"general","state":"TN"},"party":"R","primary":{"contest":"state_representative_district_97","contest_title":"State Representative District 97","county":"Shelby","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2024-08-01","office_county":null,"office_key":"state_house_97","office_title":null,"party":"Republican","pgr":"primary","state":"TN"},"term":null,"year":2024}],"office_key":"state_house_97","office_title":"Tennessee House District 97","state":"TN","terms":[]},{"campaigns":[],"county":null,"cycles":[{"general":null,"party":"Republican","primary":null,"term":{"county":null,"electiondate":"2024-08-01","office_county":null,"office_key":"state_house_097","office_title":"State Representative District 97","party":"Republican","state":"TN","term_end":"2026-08-01","term_start":"2024-08-01"},"year":2024},{"general":null,"party":"R","primary":null,"term":{"county":null,"electiondate":"2022-11-08","office_county":null,"office_key":"state_house_097","office_title":"State Representative District 97","party":"R","state":"tn","term_end":"2024-12-31","term_start":"2023-01-01"},"year":2023}],"office_key":"state_house_097","office_title":"State Representative District 97","state":"TN","terms":[{"county":null,"electiondate":"2024-08-01","office_county":null,"office_key":"state_house_097","office_title":"State Representative District 97","party":"Republican","state":"TN","term_end":"2026-08-01","term_start":"2024-08-01"},{"county":null,"electiondate":"2022-11-08","office_county":null,"office_key":"state_house_097","office_title":"State Representative District 97","party":"R","state":"tn","term_end":"2024-12-31","term_start":"2023-01-01"}]}],"summary":"John Gillespie is a Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 97, serving since January 2021.","terms":[{"county":null,"electiondate":"2022-11-08","office":"state_house_097","state":"tn","term_end":"2024-12-31","term_start":"2023-01-01","title":"State Representative District 97"},{"county":null,"electiondate":"2024-08-01","office":"state_house_097","state":"tn","term_end":"2026-08-01","term_start":"2024-08-01","title":"State Representative District 97"}],"token":"1TJ5SGdWu8"}