{"age":49,"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nMichele Reneau is a Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives representing District 27, having assumed office on November 5, 2024 [1][2]. She is seeking re-election to the district in the upcoming 2026 general election cycle [1]. Her current term is scheduled to end on November 3, 2026 [1].\n\nReneau officially announced her bid for a second term during the Make Tennessee Healthy Again Dinner, a grassroots fundraiser held in Chattanooga in December 2025 [10]. In her announcement, she reaffirmed her commitment to defending medical freedom, food freedom, parental rights, and property rights while outlining priorities for the 2026 legislative session [10]. During the current session, Reneau has introduced legislation aligned with the \"Make America Healthy Again\" agenda, including six bills regarding public health and environmental concerns and a joint resolution proposing a constitutional amendment to guarantee the right to food [11].\n\nReneau faces a challenge in the August 6, 2026 Republican primary from Tony Hullender, a former lawyer for the Tennessee Attorney General's Office [12][13]. Hullender stated that he was discouraged from running by the Hamilton County Republican Party chair, which he said motivated his candidacy [13]. The contest follows Reneau\u2019s narrow 2024 victory over incumbent Patsy Hazlewood, a race in which she also faced legal scrutiny regarding campaign mailers; the Tennessee Registry of Election Finance sided with Reneau on a complaint she filed against an attack ad during that prior cycle [15].\n\n## Background and education\n\nMichele Reneau was born in Charleston, South Carolina [6]. She grew up in a working-class family in South Carolina [4][16][18]. Her father served in the U.S. Army for 26 years, where he met her mother, a legal immigrant from South Korea who worked as a seamstress in a rug factory [3][4][16][18]. Reneau self-describes herself as faith-driven, noting that her mother showed her the importance of knowing Jesus and that her faith has been a cornerstone of her life [3][4][16].\n\nReneau earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the College of Charleston in 1999 [2][5][6]. She later obtained a Master of Public Administration from the University of South Carolina in 2003 [2][5][6]. She was the first in her family to graduate college, doing so debt-free [3][4][18].\n\n## Career\n\nMichele Reneau grew up in a working-class family in South Carolina [16]. Her father served in the U.S. Army for 26 years, where he met her mother, a legal immigrant from South Korea who worked as a seamstress in a rug factory [3][4][18]. Reneau became the first in her family to graduate college debt-free [3]. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the College of Charleston in 1999 and a Master of Public Administration from the University of South Carolina in 2003 [5][6].\n\nBefore entering elected office, Reneau worked as a small business owner in real estate [1][3]. She has also held leadership roles in community organizations, serving as the Chattanooga Chapter Leader for the Weston A Price Foundation and as Corresponding Secretary for the Chattanooga Republican Women [5].\n\n## Office history\n\nMichele Reneau first ran for the Tennessee House of Representatives in 2022 but did not secure the nomination.[6] In 2024, she declared her candidacy as a conservative Republican to challenge incumbent Patsy Hazlewood in District 27, citing concerns over Hazlewood\u2019s voting record on issues such as immigration and medical freedom[8]. Reneau defeated Hazlewood in the Republican primary and subsequently won the general election against Democrat Kathy Lennon by fewer than 150 votes[7][9]. She assumed office on November 5, 2024, serving a two-year term that concludes on November 3, 2026[1][2]. As a member of the Tennessee House, she represents District 27, which includes portions of Hamilton County such as Signal Mountain, Lookout Mountain, and Hixson[3][19].\n\nDuring her first term, Reneau has focused on policy areas including medical freedom and food rights, aligning with the \"Make America Healthy Again\" agenda[10]. In February 2026, she introduced six pieces of legislation related to public health and environmental concerns, including a joint resolution to amend the state constitution to guarantee the right to food[11]. She also voted \"present not voting\" on Tennessee\u2019s controversial redistricting plan during a special session, citing concerns about the timing and process of the legislation[14]. Additionally, Reneau filed a complaint regarding a multimedia attack during her 2024 primary campaign; in July 2025, the Tennessee Registry of Election Finance sided with her, rejecting a settlement offer[15].\n\nReneau is currently an incumbent running for re-election to represent District 27 in the 2026 Republican primary scheduled for August 6, 2026[1]. She officially announced her re-election campaign in December 2025 at a fundraiser focused on defending medical freedom and parental rights[10]. Her opponent in the upcoming primary is Tony Hullender, a former lawyer who challenged Reneau\u2019s status as an incumbent and noted that the Hamilton County Republican Party chair had discouraged his candidacy[12][13].\n\n## Legislative record and accomplishments\n\nRepresentative Michele Reneau serves on the Government Operations committee [6]. During her first term, she voted \u201cpresent not voting\u201d on Tennessee\u2019s controversial redistricting plan during a special session, citing concerns regarding the timing and process of the legislation [14]. Legislative tracking data indicates she holds a 95 percent lifetime vote score with an A leadership grade from the Tennessee Legislative Report Card [17].\n\nIn February 2026, Reneau introduced six pieces of legislation aligned with the \"Make America Healthy Again\" agenda, focusing on public health and environmental issues [11]. These measures included House Joint Resolution 0780, which proposes amending the state constitution to guarantee the right to food [11]. She has stated that her legislative priorities include defending medical freedom, food freedom, parental rights, property rights, and limited government [10].\n\nReneau self-describes as a conservative advocate for Tennessee\u2019s food-freedom laws and an opponent of what she characterizes as left-leaning policies on immigration, medical freedom, and transparency [3][8]. In 2024, she filed a complaint with the Tennessee Registry of Election Finance regarding a multimedia attack during the primary; the registry sided with her in July 2025, rejecting a settlement offer [15].\n\n## Documented disputes and controversies\n\nIn the 2024 Republican primary for District 27, Michele Reneau defeated five-term incumbent Patsy Hazlewood by fewer than 150 votes [7]. During that campaign, Reneau characterized Hazlewood as a \"left-leaning candidate\" who frequently voted with Democrats and opposed conservative legislation on issues such as illegal immigration and medical freedom [8]. Hazlewood had previously received the \"RINO of the Year Award\" from the Tennessee Conservative News, a designation Reneau cited to contrast her own conservative record [8].\n\nDuring the 2024 primary cycle, Reneau filed a complaint with the Tennessee Registry of Election Finance regarding a multimedia attack launched against her [15]. The Registry sided with Reneau in July 2025 by rejecting a $2,500 settlement offer she had submitted, leaving the subject of the complaint potentially liable for up to $10,000 per violation depending on the board's final decision [15].\n\nIn February 2026, Tony Hullender announced his candidacy for District 27, challenging Reneau in the upcoming August primary [12]. Hullender stated that Hamilton County Republican Party Chair Gail Greene had discouraged him from running, a move he claimed only strengthened his resolve to seek the nomination [13].\n\nReneau voted \"present not voting\" on Tennessee\u2019s controversial congressional redistricting plan during a special session in 2025 [14]. In a subsequent statement, she explained that her decision reflected serious concerns regarding the timing and process of the legislation, as well as events that occurred inside the Capitol [14].\n\n## Business interests and wealth source\n\nReneau self-describes as a former small business owner who started and ran a successful enterprise in real estate [3]. She states that she became the first in her family to graduate college debt-free before launching her career in business [1][3]. Her educational background includes a bachelor\u2019s degree in political science from the College of Charleston and a master\u2019s degree in public administration from the University of South Carolina [1][2][5].\n\nRegarding her family's financial history, Reneau reports growing up in a working-class family in South Carolina [4][16][18]. Her father served in the U.S. Army for 26 years, and her mother worked as a seamstress in a rug factory before immigrating from South Korea [4][16][18].\n\nSpecific details regarding her current business ownership stakes, sales of businesses, or significant financial-disclosure facts are not provided in the available sources [1][5][6].\n\n## Family\n\nReneau is married to Chris and is a mother of five children [6]. She describes herself as a \"family-focused mom\" who was raised in South Carolina by her father, an Army Vietnam veteran, and her mother, a legal immigrant from South Korea [3][4].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Michele Reneau - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Michele_Reneau)\n[2] [Michele Reneau - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michele_Reneau)\n[3] [Home | Elect Michele Reneau, Conservative for TN House, District 27, Signal Mountain, Lookout Mountain, Lookout Valley, Red Bank, Hixson, Soddy, Mowbray Mountain](https://www.electmichele.com/)\n[4] [Meet Michele | Elect Michele Reneau](https://www.electmichele.com/meet-michele)\n[5] [iVoterGuide - Michele Reneau iVoterGuide Profile](https://ivoterguide.com/candidate/67213/race/15633/election/1116)\n[6] [Vote Smart | Facts For All](https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/biography/206813/michele-reneau)\n[7] [Reneau seeks reelection in 2026, plans to focus on MAHA policy | Chattanooga Times Free Press](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/jan/15/reneau-seeks-reelection-in-2026-plans-to-focus-on/)\n[8] [Michele Reneau Declares Candidacy For House District 27 - Chattanoogan.com](https://www.chattanoogan.com/2024/4/2/485193/Michele-Reneau-Declares-Candidacy-For.aspx)\n[9] [Chattanooga area elects new lawmaker, Michele Reneau | Chattanooga Times Free Press](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2024/nov/05/chattanooga-area-elects-new-lawmaker-michele/)\n[10] [Rep. Michele Reneau Announces Re-Election Campaign At Make Tennessee Healthy Again Dinner - Chattanoogan.com](https://www.chattanoogan.com/2025/12/22/512709/Rep.-Michele-Reneau-Announces.aspx)\n[11] [Reneau introduces slew of bills to Tennessee legislature in line with MAHA agenda | Chattanooga Times Free Press](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/feb/09/reneau-introduces-slew-of-bills-to-tennessee/)\n[12] [Republican running for Tennessee House rejects RINO label | Chattanooga Times Free Press](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/feb/20/republican-running-for-tennessee-house-rejects/)\n[13] [Republican running for Tennessee House says party chair discouraged candidacy | Chattanooga Times Free Press](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/jan/28/republican-running-for-tennessee-house-says-party/)\n[14] [Signal Mountain lawmaker explains her 'present' vote on Tennessee redistricting plan](https://newschannel9.com/news/local/signal-mountain-lawmaker-explains-her-present-vote-on-tennessee-redistricting-plan-michele-reneau-present-vote-redistricting-tn-chattanooga-lawmaker-explains-vote-tennessee-special-session-protests-vote-present-memphis-district-redistricting-reaction)\n[15] [Tennessee campaign finance board sides with lawmaker Reneau | Chattanooga Times Free Press](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2025/jul/23/settlement-rejected-on-tinfoil-hat-mailer/)\n[16] [Representative Michele Reneau \u2014 Tennessee House Republican Caucus](https://tnhousegop.org/members/representative-michele-reneau/)\n[17] [Tennessee House District 27 - Reneau - TLRC](https://tnreportcard.org/representatives/tn-hd27-reneau/)\n[18] [Michele Reneau \u2013 Tennessee State Representative](https://repbio.org/michele-reneau/)\n[19] [State House District 27 (2024-Election Voter Guide) \u2013 Tennessee Lookout](https://tennesseelookout.com/race-details/state-house-district-27/)","birthdate":"Tue, 14 Jun 1977 00:00:00 GMT","campaigns":[{"contest":"state_house_027","county":"Hamilton","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"primary","state":"TN","title":"TN House District 27"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"Michele","fullname":"Michele Reneau","lastname":"Reneau","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"state_house_027","contest_title":"TN House District 27","county":"Hamilton","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"state_house_027","office_title":"State Representative District 27","party":"R","pgr":"primary","state":"TN"}],"county":null,"cycles":[{"general":null,"party":"R","primary":{"contest":"state_house_027","contest_title":"TN House District 27","county":"Hamilton","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"state_house_027","office_title":"State Representative District 27","party":"R","pgr":"primary","state":"TN"},"term":null,"year":2026}],"office_key":"state_house_027","office_title":"State Representative District 27","state":"TN","terms":[]}],"summary":"Michele Reneau is a Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 27, first elected in 2024 and seeking re-election in 2026.","terms":[],"token":"FdHtPubaA5"}