Bryan Terry

Current office and 2026 campaign

Bryan Terry is a Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives representing District 48, which is based in Rutherford County ¹². He assumed office on November 4, 2014, and his current term concludes on November 3, 2026 ¹¹⁰. As of May 2026, Terry is seeking re-election to the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 48 ¹.

Terry is listed on the ballot for the Republican primary scheduled for August 6, 2026 ¹. In February 2026, he proposed the Tennessee Secondary Aluminum Waste Management Act (House Bill 2133), legislation aimed at regulating how solid waste landfill operators handle secondary aluminum waste to protect public health and the environment ⁹.

During his tenure, Terry has served as Chairman of the Health Committee and holds membership on the Calendar and Rules, Insurance, Naming and Designating, and Population Health subcommittees ¹⁸. He self-describes his legislative approach as applying principles through a five-step process involving premise, goals, options, consequences, and feasibility ⁵.

Background and education

Bryan Terry was born on October 27, 1968 ⁴. He is a tribal member of the Choctaw Nation and grew up in south Oklahoma City, attending school in Moore, a suburb of Oklahoma City ¹¹. Terry self-describes as an interdenominational Christian ¹².

Terry earned a Bachelor of Science in psychology from the University of Oklahoma and a medical degree from the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine ⁴¹². He subsequently completed his anesthesiology residency at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville ¹².

Career

Bryan Terry is a physician specializing in anesthesiology who works in Murfreesboro, Tennessee ⁸. He earned a Bachelor of Science in psychology from the University of Oklahoma and a medical degree from the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine ⁴. His anesthesiology residency was completed at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville ¹². Terry self-describes as an interdenominational Christian ¹².

Terry is a member of the Choctaw Nation and grew up in south Oklahoma City, attending school in Moore, Oklahoma ¹¹. He spent much of his childhood visiting hospitals due to severe asthma and allergies, and he also spent time at his parents’ auto salvage business ¹¹. Terry resides in Murfreesboro with his wife, Cheryl, whom he has been married to since 1991, and their two children, Brayden and Breeley ⁸. The family owns rescue dogs ⁸.

Office history

Bryan Terry assumed office in the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 48 on January 13, 2015, following his election on November 4, 2014 ¹⁴. He serves two-year terms and is not subject to term limits ². As of 2026, his current term ends on November 3, 2026 ¹. In the 2022 general election, Terry defeated Matt Ferry to retain his seat in District 48 ³.

During his tenure, Terry has held several key committee assignments. He serves as the Chair of the Health Committee and is a member of the Calendar and Rules Committee, the Insurance Committee, and the Naming and Designating Committee ¹⁸. He also sits on the Population Health Subcommittee ⁸. In February 2026, Terry proposed the Tennessee Secondary Aluminum Waste Management Act (House Bill 2133) to regulate landfill practices regarding aluminum recycling waste ⁹.

Terry has not held any other elected or appointed offices prior to his service in the State House. He is currently running for re-election to the Tennessee House of Representatives in the Republican primary scheduled for August 6, 2026 ¹.

Legislative record and accomplishments

Representative Bryan Terry has served in the Tennessee House of Representatives since assuming office on November 4, 2014 ¹¹⁰. A member of the Republican Party, he represents District 48, which is based in Rutherford County ⁴⁸. As of the 2023-2024 legislative session, Terry held several committee assignments, including service on the Calendar and Rules Committee, the Insurance Committee, the Naming and Designating Committee, and the State Government Committee ¹. He also served as the Chair of the Health Committee ¹⁸.

Terry’s legislative approach is defined by a five-step process he describes as "Premise, Goals, Options, Consequences, and Feasibility," which he applies alongside his personal principles to evaluate policy ⁵. In 2026, he proposed the Tennessee Secondary Aluminum Waste Management Act (House Bill 2133), legislation designed to prohibit solid waste landfill operators from mixing household trash with secondary aluminum waste to protect public health and the environment ⁹.

On social issues, Terry has consistently supported pro-life measures. The Family Action Council of Tennessee awarded him an "E" rating for his support of bills including SB 16/HB 1 (Tennessee Sports Gaming Act), SB 364/HB 563 (Business Protection Act), SB 1257/HB 1029 (Human Life Protection Act), and Governor Lee's Pro-Life Bill (SB 2196/HB 2263) ⁶. Conversely, a House committee rejected an anti-abortion bill in 2026 that would have criminalized women for seeking abortion procedures; the measure failed for lack of support in the Population Health Subcommittee ⁷. Terry also voted against decriminalization efforts, supporting HB0173/SB0173 to clarify that state law preempts local government enactments regarding such regulations ¹².

Business interests and wealth source

Bryan Terry is a physician who works as an anesthesiologist in Murfreesboro, Tennessee ⁸. He holds a medical degree from the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine and a Bachelor of Science in psychology from the University of Oklahoma ⁴. Terry states that he applies a "business-like process" to his legislative work, utilizing a framework of premise, goals, options, consequences, and feasibility ⁵.

Terry grew up in south Oklahoma City and spent much of his childhood at his parents' auto salvage business ¹¹. He is a member of the Choctaw Nation and identifies as Native American ⁴, ¹¹. Terry resides in Murfreesboro with his wife, Cheryl, whom he has been married to since 1991, and their two children, Brayden and Breeley ⁸.

Family

Terry is married to his wife, Cheryl, whom he has been married to since 1991 ⁸. The couple has two children, Brayden and Breeley ⁸¹². Terry self-describes as an interdenominational Christian ¹².

Sources