Kerry Roberts

Current office and 2026 campaign

Kerry Roberts is a Republican member of the Tennessee State Senate representing District 23, having assumed office on November 8, 2022 ¹. His current term concludes on November 3, 2026 ¹. He previously served in the chamber from 2011 to 2012, representing District 18 ¹.

Roberts is seeking re-election to the Tennessee State Senate for District 23 as a Republican candidate ¹. He appears on the ballot for the Republican primary scheduled for August 6, 2026 ¹.

Background and education

Kerry Roberts was born in Bedford, Indiana, on September 24, 1961 ². He is a member of the Main Street Church of Christ ². Roberts earned a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Lipscomb University in 1983 ². He is a certified public accountant by profession ².

Career

Kerry Roberts earned a Bachelor of Science in accounting from Lipscomb University in 1983 and became a Certified Public Accountant ²³. He served as president of The Resource Network and owned The Bike Pedlar, while also serving as former president and chairman of the National Bicycle Dealers Association ².

Roberts describes himself as a part-time farmer and small business owner who experienced significant financial hardship, including losing his business after the Nashville flood of 2010 and nearly facing foreclosure on his home and farm ⁴. He has stated that these experiences inform his perspective on economic uncertainty for families ⁴.

Office history

Kerry Roberts first entered the Tennessee State Senate in 2011, winning a special election on March 8, 2011, to fill the vacancy created by Diane Black’s departure ¹. He served in District 18 from that date until January 8, 2013, succeeding Ferrell Haile and being succeeded by Haile after the term ended ³. Roberts was subsequently elected to the Senate in 2014, representing District 25 from January 13, 2015, through 2023 ³. He was re-elected to this seat in 2018 and again in 2022 ⁷.

In November 2022, Roberts assumed office representing Tennessee State Senate District 23, a district comprising Cheatham, Dickson, Hickman, Humphreys, and Robertson counties along with a portion of Montgomery County ⁷. His current term is scheduled to end on November 3, 2026 ¹. During his tenure in the Senate, he has served as Vice Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and previously chaired the Government Operations Committee, which oversees nearly 260 state departments and entities ⁸. He also requested a special session of the General Assembly in September 2021 to address issues including mask mandates and immunity recognition ⁵.

Roberts is currently running for re-election to the Tennessee State Senate to represent District 23 in the Republican primary scheduled for August 6, 2026 ¹. As this election date is after the current date of May 11, 2026, the outcome of this race is unknown ¹⁰.

Legislative record and accomplishments

Senator Kerry Roberts serves as Vice Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and was previously the Chairman of the Government Operations Committee, a role in which he oversaw nearly 260 state departments, boards, and entities ⁷⁸. During his tenure, he has been recognized by colleagues and media for his diplomacy and effectiveness ⁷⁸.

In the 113th General Assembly, Roberts sponsored legislation focused on public safety and community protection. His legislative highlights included strengthening bail restrictions to keep violent criminals off the streets, passing "Jillian’s Law" which mandates involuntary commitment for criminal defendants found mentally incompetent to stand trial, and increasing penalties for child rape to death or life without parole ⁶. He also supported measures that created a new felony offense for repeat misdemeanor offenders, protected citizens’ right to bear arms, and shielded property owners from squatters ⁶.

Roberts has consistently advocated for conservative social policies. The Family Action Council of Tennessee awarded him a scorecard reflecting support for bills such as SB 16/HB 1 (Tennessee Sports Gaming Act), SB 1257/HB 1029 (Human Life Protection Act), and SB 1499/HB 1274 (School Protection Act) ¹¹. He also supported SB 1297/HB 1151 regarding indecent exposure laws in single-sex restrooms and SB 1304/HB 836 concerning conscience provisions for child-placing agencies ¹¹.

On fiscal and regulatory matters, Roberts has addressed constituent concerns regarding government efficiency. He sent a letter to Lt. Governor Randy McNally in September 2021 requesting a special session to consider topics including prohibitions on mask mandates in public buildings and schools, as well as the recognition of acquired immunity ⁵. His office describes itself as a "help desk" for residents dealing with issues ranging from TennCare and SNAP benefits to TDOT road repairs and EPA regulations affecting local farmers ¹².

Business interests and wealth source

Kerry Roberts is a Certified Public Accountant and small business owner who has held various executive roles in the retail and service sectors ². He served as President of The Resource Network and was the owner of The Bike Pedlar, a bicycle retail business ². Additionally, he previously served as President and Chairman of the National Bicycle Dealers Association ².

Roberts’ financial history includes significant setbacks that he cites as formative to his economic perspective. He states that he lost his business in the aftermath of the Nashville flood of 2010 and nearly faced foreclosure on his home and small farm ⁴. In self-reported accounts, he describes experiencing periods of financial uncertainty, including having a "nearly-bare cupboard" and driving a car with over 300,000 miles ⁴.

As a state senator, Roberts is subject to Tennessee’s financial disclosure requirements for legislators ⁹. His professional background in accounting and business ownership remains central to his public profile as he seeks re-election to the Tennessee State Senate representing District 23 ¹.

Family

Kerry Roberts is married to Dianne Roberts ². The couple has three children ³. Roberts self-describes his family as including a wife and kids who share his experiences with financial hardship, such as losing a business and facing foreclosure ⁴.

Sources