Dennis Powers

Current office and 2026 campaign

Dennis Powers is a Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives representing District 36, which encompasses Campbell County, Union County, and part of Claiborne County ⁴. He assumed office on November 2, 2010, and his current term is scheduled to end on November 3, 2026 ¹, ⁶.

Powers is seeking re-election to the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 36 in the upcoming 2026 election cycle ¹. He is listed as a candidate on the ballot for the Republican primary, which is scheduled to be held on August 6, 2026 ¹. As of May 11, 2026, the outcome of this election remains unknown.

Background and education

Dennis Powers was born on September 14, 1953, in LaFollette, Tennessee ²⁴. He is a lifelong Tennessean who grew up in LaFollette, where he states that he learned the effectiveness of faith, family, fiscal responsibility, and limited government ⁵. Powers graduated from LaFollette High School ²⁴.

He earned a Bachelor of Science in business administration from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville ¹⁴. Powers identifies as a member of the First Baptist Church of Jacksboro ²⁷.

Career

Dennis Powers holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Tennessee ¹²⁴. Prior to his legislative service, he worked as an insurance agent ²⁷. He also served as a golf coach at Jacksboro Middle School and was an adopter for the school's program ².

Powers is listed as an attorney and mediator with the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts, serving in Gallatin, Tennessee ³. His professional biography notes that he built his career on conservative principles and practical results before entering state government ⁵.

Office history

Dennis Powers assumed office as a Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 36 on November 2, 2010 ¹⁶. The district encompasses Campbell County, Union County, and part of Claiborne County ⁴. He is currently serving a term that ends on November 3, 2026, and is running for re-election in the Republican primary scheduled for August 6, 2026 ¹.

During his tenure, Powers has held several committee assignments. He serves as Chairman of the Private Acts Committee ⁷. His other committee memberships include the Calendar & Rules Committee, the Children & Family Affairs Subcommittee, the Department & Agencies Subcommittee, the Judiciary Committee, and the State & Local Government Committee ⁷. In the 2023-2024 session, he held these specific assignments ¹.

Prior to his election to the state legislature, Powers did not hold elected public office. He worked as an insurance agent and served as a golf coach at Jacksboro Middle School ¹². He also served as president of the Campbell County Young Republicans and was a past president of the South Campbell County Rotary Club ².

The provided sources do not contain information regarding any prior races run by Dennis Powers that he lost.

Legislative record and accomplishments

Representative Dennis Powers has served in the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 36 since assuming office on November 2, 2010 ¹⁶. He is a member of the Republican Party and currently holds several key committee assignments within the General Assembly. His service includes membership on the Calendar & Rules Committee, the Children & Family Affairs Subcommittee, the Department & Agencies Subcommittee, the Judiciary Committee, and the State & Local Government Committee ⁷. Additionally, Powers serves as the Chairman of the Private Acts Committee ⁷.

Powers identifies as a conservative advocate who emphasizes fiscal responsibility, limited government, and accountability in his legislative approach ⁵. His policy positions have been tracked by organizations such as the Family Action Council of Tennessee, which highlights his support for various social and religious liberty measures. These include the Tennessee Sports Gaming Act (SB 16/HB 1), the Human Life Protection Act (SB 1257/HB 1029), the School Protection Act (SB 1499/HB 1274), Governor Lee's Pro-Life Bill (SB 2196/HB 2263), and a constitutional amendment acknowledging God as the source of liberties (HJR 17) ⁸.

While specific bill numbers sponsored by Powers are not detailed in the provided source materials, his legislative activity is documented through his committee leadership and voting record on major social issues ⁹. He continues to represent District 36, which encompasses Campbell County, Union County, and part of Claiborne County ⁴.

Business interests and wealth source

Dennis Powers holds a Bachelor of Science in business administration from the University of Tennessee ¹. His professional background includes work as an insurance agent and as a golf coach at Jacksboro Middle School ¹. He is also listed as an attorney and mediator serving Gallatin, Tennessee ³.

Powers self-describes his career as being built on conservative principles and practical results, emphasizing fiscal responsibility in both his personal and professional life ⁵. Specific details regarding his family wealth source, ownership stakes in businesses, sales of businesses, or significant financial-disclosure facts are not provided in the available sources.

Family

Dennis Powers is married to Tracy ²⁷. The couple attends the First Baptist Church of Jacksboro ²⁷.

Sources