{"age":72,"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nDennis 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].\n\nPowers 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.\n\n## Background and education\n\nDennis Powers was born on September 14, 1953, in LaFollette, Tennessee [2][4]. 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 [2][4].\n\nHe earned a Bachelor of Science in business administration from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville [1][4]. Powers identifies as a member of the First Baptist Church of Jacksboro [2][7].\n\n## Career\n\nDennis Powers holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Tennessee [1][2][4]. Prior to his legislative service, he worked as an insurance agent [2][7]. He also served as a golf coach at Jacksboro Middle School and was an adopter for the school's program [2].\n\nPowers 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].\n\n## Office history\n\nDennis Powers assumed office as a Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 36 on November 2, 2010 [1][6]. 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].\n\nDuring 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].\n\nPrior 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 [1][2]. He also served as president of the Campbell County Young Republicans and was a past president of the South Campbell County Rotary Club [2].\n\nThe provided sources do not contain information regarding any prior races run by Dennis Powers that he lost.\n\n## Legislative record and accomplishments\n\nRepresentative Dennis Powers has served in the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 36 since assuming office on November 2, 2010 [1][6]. 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].\n\nPowers 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].\n\nWhile 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].\n\n## Business interests and wealth source\n\nDennis 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].\n\nPowers 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.\n\n## Family\n\nDennis Powers is married to Tracy [2][7]. The couple attends the First Baptist Church of Jacksboro [2][7].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Dennis Powers (Tennessee) - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Dennis_Powers_(Tennessee))\n[2] [Rep. Dennis Powers - Representatives - TN General Assembly](https://www.capitol.tn.gov/house/archives/107GA/members/h36.html)\n[3] [Dennis Powers | Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts](https://www.tncourts.gov/programs/mediation/find-mediator/dennis-powers)\n[4] [Dennis Powers - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dennis_Powers)\n[5] [Dennis Powers for State Representative](https://www.dennispowersfortn.com/)\n[6] [State Representative Dennis Powers | BillTrack50](https://www.billtrack50.com/legislatordetail/6544)\n[7] [Representative Dennis Powers \u2014 Tennessee House Republican Caucus](https://tnhousegop.org/members/representative-dennis-powers/)\n[8] [Rep. Dennis Powers - Family Action Council of Tennessee](https://scorecard.factennessee.org/representatives/dennis-powers)\n[9] [Dennis Powers - Tennessee Representative Republican - Bill Sponsor](https://www.billsponsor.com/politicians/7083/dennis-powers)","birthdate":"Mon, 14 Sep 1953 00:00:00 GMT","campaigns":[{"contest":"state_house_036","county":"Campbell","county_count":3,"electiondate":"Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"primary","state":"TN","title":"TN House District 36"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"Dennis","fullname":"Dennis Powers","lastname":"Powers","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"state_house_036","contest_title":"TN House District 36","county":"Campbell","county_count":3,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"state_house_036","office_title":"State Representative District 36","party":"R","pgr":"primary","state":"TN"}],"county":null,"cycles":[{"general":null,"party":"R","primary":{"contest":"state_house_036","contest_title":"TN House District 36","county":"Campbell","county_count":3,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"state_house_036","office_title":"State Representative District 36","party":"R","pgr":"primary","state":"TN"},"term":null,"year":2026},{"general":null,"party":"R","primary":null,"term":{"county":null,"electiondate":"2022-11-08","office_county":null,"office_key":"state_house_036","office_title":"State Representative District 36","party":"R","state":"tn","term_end":"2024-12-31","term_start":"2023-01-01"},"year":2023}],"office_key":"state_house_036","office_title":"State Representative District 36","state":"TN","terms":[{"county":null,"electiondate":"2022-11-08","office_county":null,"office_key":"state_house_036","office_title":"State Representative District 36","party":"R","state":"tn","term_end":"2024-12-31","term_start":"2023-01-01"}]}],"summary":"Dennis Powers is a Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 36, first elected in 2010.","terms":[{"county":null,"electiondate":"2022-11-08","office":"state_house_036","state":"tn","term_end":"2024-12-31","term_start":"2023-01-01","title":"State Representative District 36"}],"token":"5QAVc9u9og"}