Joe Towns Jr.

Current office and 2026 campaign

Joe Towns Jr. is a Democratic member of the Tennessee House of Representatives representing District 84 ¹. He assumed office in January 1995 and his current term ends on November 3, 2026 ³. As of the 2020 Census, the district contains approximately 69,868 residents ².

Towns is running for re-election to the Tennessee House of Representatives to represent District 84 ¹. He is listed on the ballot in the Democratic primary scheduled for August 6, 2026 ³. Earlier in the 2026 election cycle, Towns also sought the Democratic nomination for Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk, appearing on that primary ballot on May 5, 2026 ¹. In that clerk’s race, he edged out Wanda Halbert by 121 votes, receiving 27.53% of the vote in a five-candidate field ⁶.

Background and education

Joe Towns Jr. was born on May 4 in Memphis, Tennessee ⁴⁵. He is a member of the Mississippi Boulevard Church ⁴. Towns earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from LeMoyne-Owen College and his Master of Science degree in operational management from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville ³⁴⁵.

Career

Joe Towns Jr. describes his occupation as a business entrepreneur and former college instructor ⁴. He operates a management, consulting, and entertainment company ⁴. Professionally, he holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from LeMoyne-Owen College and a Master of Science in operational management from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville ⁴⁵.

Prior to his legislative career, Towns served as a former college instructor ⁴. He is also a co-founder of the C.U.T.E.C. Anti-Crime Organization ⁴.

Office history

Joe Towns Jr. was first elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives in 1994, assuming office in January 1995 to represent District 84 ⁵. He succeeded Bret Thompson and has held this seat continuously since then ⁵. As a member of the Democratic Party, he serves two-year terms without term limits ². His current term is scheduled to end on November 3, 2026 ¹.

In addition to his legislative service, Towns ran for Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk in the Democratic primary held on May 5, 2026 ³. He won that primary by a narrow margin of 121 votes over Wanda Halbert, receiving 27.53% of the vote ⁶. This victory placed him on the ballot to face Republican Edquardo Jamison in the general election scheduled for August 6, 2026 ⁶. He is also running for re-election to the Tennessee House of Representatives in the Democratic primary on August 6, 2026 ¹.

Towns previously ran for election as Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk but lost that bid in an earlier cycle ³. Specific details regarding the year and outcome of that prior loss are not provided in the available sources.

Legislative record and accomplishments

Joe Towns Jr. has served in the Tennessee House of Representatives since January 1995, representing District 84 ¹³⁵. As a member of the Democratic Party, he holds a seat in a chamber where members serve two-year terms without term limits ². His legislative career includes efforts to revive the Tennessee Horse Racing Commission, with legislation aimed at bringing horse racing back to Memphis to retain gambling revenue within Shelby County ⁸.

Towns has sponsored bills addressing various policy areas, including the revival of state horse racing commissions ⁸. On social media platforms, he has engaged with constituents on legislative matters, though specific bill text is not detailed in available summaries ⁹. His legislative activity is tracked by organizations such as LegiStorm and FastDemocracy, which provide contact information for his Capitol office in Nashville ¹⁰¹².

Voting records from the Family Action Council of Tennessee indicate Towns’s positions on several key pieces of legislation during recent sessions. He voted on bills including SB 16/HB 1 (Tennessee Sports Gaming Act) and SB 364/HB 563 (Business Protection Act) ¹³. His voting record also includes measures such as SB 1257/HB 1029 (Human Life Protection Act), SB 1297/HB 1151 (Indecent Exposure Law in Single-Sex Restrooms), and SB 1499/HB 1274 (School Protection Act) ¹³. Additionally, he voted on SB 2196/HB 2263 (Governor Lee's Pro-Life Bill) and HJR 17 (Acknowledging God as the Source of Our Liberties) ¹³.

In response to federal policy impacts, Towns commented on the effects of a 43-day government shutdown that ended in November 2025, noting that its consequences would extend beyond Washington to affect Shelby County residents ⁷. He has also been associated with broader political strategies aimed at influencing election outcomes and promoting effective government through collective action ¹¹. His current term is scheduled to end on November 3, 2026 ¹³.

Business interests and wealth source

Joe Towns Jr. self-describes his occupation as a business entrepreneur and former college instructor, noting that he operates a management, consulting, and entertainment company ⁴. He holds a B.A. in political science from LeMoyne-Owen College and an M.S. in operational management from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville ⁴⁵.

Specific details regarding his business ownership stakes, sales of businesses, or the precise sources of his wealth are not detailed in the provided source materials. While financial disclosure reports are tracked for Tennessee legislators ¹⁰, the specific contents of Towns' disclosures are not included in the available texts.

Family

The provided sources indicate that Joe Towns Jr. is single ⁴. The documents do not mention any spouse or children.

Sources