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Dave Wright
born 1945-09-03 (Age 80)
Office history
Current office and 2026 campaign
Dave Wright is a Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives representing District 19, having assumed office on November 6, 2018 16. His current term is scheduled to end on November 3, 2026 1. Wright is seeking re-election to represent District 19 in the upcoming Republican primary election on August 6, 2026 1. He has been listed as a candidate for this race by Vote Smart and other tracking organizations 24.
Background and education
Dave Wright was born on September 3, 1945 4. He is a resident of Corryton, Tennessee, and self-describes as Christian 46. He attended Gibbs High School before earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville 46. Additionally, Wright completed training at the United States Army Officer Candidate School in the Signal Corps at Fort Gordon, Georgia 46.
Career
Dave Wright was born on September 3, 1945, and is a resident of Corryton, Tennessee 4. He attended Gibbs High School before earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville 6. His professional background includes service as a retired representative for AT&T 6.
Wright served in the United States Army, completing Officer Candidate School and serving in the Signal Corps at Fort Gordon, Georgia 46. He is married and has one son named William 46.
Office history
Dave Wright was first elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives in 2018, representing District 194. He assumed office on November 6, 201815. As a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives, he serves two-year terms without term limits3.
During the 2023-2024 legislative session, Wright served as Vice Chair of the Local Government Committee and was assigned to the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee and the Transportation Committee1. He is also a member of the Cities & Counties Subcommittee, the Elections & Campaign Finance Subcommittee, and the State & Local Government Committee within the Tennessee House Republican Caucus6.
Wright has run for re-election to the Tennessee House of Representatives multiple times. He was a candidate in the 2018 election for District 194. He subsequently ran for re-election in 2022 and 20244.
As of May 2026, Wright is on the ballot for the Republican primary election on August 6, 2026, to represent District 191. His current term is scheduled to end on November 3, 20261.
Legislative record and accomplishments
Representative Dave Wright has served on several key committees during his tenure in the Tennessee House of Representatives. For the 2023-2024 legislative session, he was assigned to the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, the Local Government Committee where he served as Vice Chair, and the Transportation Committee 1. His committee portfolio also includes membership on the Cities & Counties Subcommittee, the Elections & Campaign Finance Subcommittee, the State & Local Government Committee, and the Transportation Subcommittee 6.
Wrightโs legislative voting record reflects a consistent alignment with conservative policy priorities. According to the Family Action Council of Tennesseeโs scorecard, he supported SB 16/HB 1 (the Tennessee Sports Gaming Act) and SB 364/HB 563 (the Business Protection Act) 7. He also voted in favor of SB 1257/HB 1029 (the Human Life Protection Act), SB 1297/HB 1151 (regarding indecent exposure laws in single-sex restrooms), and SB 1304/HB 836 (conscience provisions for child-placing agencies) 7.
On issues regarding education and religious freedom, Wright supported SB 1373/HB 307 (elective religious courses for credit) and SB 1499/HB 1274 (the School Protection Act) 7. He also voted for SB 1736/HB 1689 (single-sex student athletics), SB 2196/HB 2263 (Governor Lee's Pro-Life Bill), and SB 2465/HB 2568 (chemical abortion reversal information) 7. Additionally, he supported HJR 17, which acknowledges God as the source of the nation's liberties 7.
Business interests and wealth source
Dave Wright is a retired employee of AT&T and holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville 6. He also attended the United States Army Officer Candidate School in the Signal Corps at Fort Gordon, Georgia 6.
Publicly available biographical profiles do not provide specific details regarding Wright's personal wealth source, business ownership stakes, or significant financial disclosures beyond his employment history with AT&T and his educational background 4.
Family
Dave Wright is married and has one son named William 4. He self-describes as Christian 6.
Sources
Public filings
Candidates and officeholders are required by law to file campaign finance reports and statements of economic interest. The sites below don't support direct links to an individual record โ search by last name on each.
Tennessee โ campaign finance (search)
- State offices (Governor, US Senate, US Rep, TN Senate, TN House, State Executive Committee) โ Tennessee Registry of Election Finance. Click Search for Candidates and PACs, enter last name “Wright”, and submit.
- County and municipal offices (County Mayor, Commissioner, Sheriff, School Board, court clerks, municipal alderman, etc.) โ most major TN counties use the EasyVote portal. Select the relevant county and search by candidate name (“Wright”).
Tennessee โ statement of interest
- Required for state and local officials and candidates โ Tennessee Ethics Commission Conflict of Interest Search. Enter last name “Wright”and, if needed, select the applicable position.