Joni Cochran

Joni Cochran is a Democratic candidate running for the Tennessee State Senate to represent District 17 in the primary election scheduled for August 6, 2026 [1]. She resides in Wilson County and moved to the area in 2002 [6]. Born in Bellefontaine, Ohio, Cochran earned a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Louisville in 1993 and an MBA from Strayer University in 2009 [1][6]. She also graduated from the Center for Guided Montessori Studies in 2021 [1].

Cochran’s professional background includes work in the retail tax business, which led her to Tennessee in the early 1980s [18]. After living in California for four years, she returned to Tennessee and opened a UPS franchise in Mt. Juliet, which she operated for eight years before selling it [18]. Following the sale of her business, she took a year off to volunteer at a Montessori school, eventually earning an early childhood education degree and working as a full-time Montessori teacher [18].

Prior to this Senate run, Cochran served as a candidate for the Tennessee House of Representatives District 46 in 2024. She advanced from the Democratic primary with 100% of the vote on August 1, 2024 [1]. In the general election on November 5, 2024, she was defeated by incumbent Republican Clark Boyd, receiving 25.1% of the vote (9,508 votes) compared to Boyd’s 74.9% (28,319 votes) [1].

Cochran is active in various political and community organizations. She has served on the boards of the Mt. Juliet Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Wilson, and Habitat for Humanity, and currently serves on the Executive Committee of the NAACP [6]. Her political affiliations include the Wilson County Democratic Party, Wilson County Democratic Women, the Tennessee Federation of Democratic Women, and the National Women's Political Caucus [1]. She is also a graduate of the Demand A Seat and Everytown for Gun Safety Victory Fund programs [18].

For her 2026 Senate campaign, Cochran describes herself as a mother, grandmother, businesswoman, community volunteer, and podcaster [6]. She lists her priorities as defending public education, advocating for responsible gun safety laws while supporting the Second Amendment, and protecting constitutional freedoms [20]. Her campaign website is jonicochranfortennessee.com [6].

Sources

• [1] Joni Cochran - Ballotpedia
• [2] Tennessee elections, 2026 - Ballotpedia
• [3] Tennessee gubernatorial election, 2026 - Ballotpedia
• [5] Candidate Lists | Tennessee Secretary of State
• [6] Joni Cochran TN Senate 17
• [7] Endorsements for Joni Cochran - Tennessee Democratic Party Candidate
• [14] East Nash Beer Works on X: "-Joni Cochran - TN House District 46 Candidate @Joni4TN46 -Ailina Carolina - TN House District 57 Candidate -Shaundelle Bess Brooks - Community Leader & Gun Safety Advocate @Natrixdreammom 5-6PM: Social Happy Hour 6-8PM: Panel & Speakers" / X
• [16] TLO Wilson County | Joni Cochran
• [18] Joni Cochran: Common Sense in Wilson County
• [20] Joni Cochran - Tennessee House of Representatives District 46, Tennessee — Political Candidate Directory

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 — search by last name on each.

Tennessee — campaign finance

• State offices (Governor, US Senate, US Rep, TN Senate, TN House, State Executive Committee) — Tennessee Registry of Election Finance. Click Search for Candidates and PACs, enter last name “Cochran”, and submit.
• Shelby County and municipal offices (County Mayor, Commissioner, Sheriff, School Board, court clerks, municipal alderman, etc.) — Shelby County Public Campaign Finance Portal. Select the election year and search by candidate name (“Cochran”).

Tennessee — statement of interest

• Required for state and local officials and candidates — Tennessee Ethics Commission Conflict of Interest Search. Enter last name “Cochran”and, if needed, select the applicable position.