Tom Stinnett

Current office and 2026 campaign

Tom Stinnett currently serves as a Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 20, having assumed office on November 5, 2024 ¹¹⁰. His current term is scheduled to end on November 3, 2026 ¹. Stinnett is seeking re-election to represent the district in the 2026 Tennessee House of Representatives election ¹⁸. He is listed as a candidate on the ballot for the Republican primary, which is scheduled to take place on August 6, 2026 ¹.

Stinnett’s campaign website states that he and his wife Patricia have been married for 41 years and that he has dedicated his life to serving the community while protecting conservative values ⁴. He self-describes as a lifetime educator who spent nearly 40 years teaching Career and Technical Education and coaching sports teams in the Maryville City School System before serving ten years on the Blount County Commission ¹¹. During his tenure in the state legislature, Stinnett has been active in the Agriculture & Natural Resources and Civil Justice subcommittees of the Judiciary Committee ⁶. In May 2025, he announced plans to meet with District Attorney General Ryan Desmond regarding public outcry over the sentencing of a former Blount County teacher ¹².

Background and education

Tom Stinnett is a resident of Friendsville, Tennessee ⁹. He earned degrees from East Tennessee State University and the University of Tennessee ⁶. His professional background includes nearly 40 years spent educating children in Career and Technical Education and coaching sports teams within the Maryville City School System ². Most recently, he worked as a STEM teacher ¹.

Career

Tom Stinnett earned degrees from East Tennessee State University and the University of Tennessee ⁴⁶. He spent nearly 40 years working in Career and Technical Education as a STEM teacher within the Maryville City School System ²¹¹. During his tenure, he also coached several sports teams ²¹¹.

Prior to his election to the state legislature, Stinnett served for ten years as a Blount County Commissioner representing District 7, Seat A ¹¹. He resigned from this position effective November 11, 2024 ⁹¹⁴.

Office history

Stinnett served as a Blount County Commissioner for District 7, Seat A, for ten years before resigning effective November 11, 2024 ¹¹¹⁴. He was elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 20 in the general election on November 5, 2024, assuming office on January 14, 2025 ¹²¹⁰. In this role, he serves on the Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee and its subcommittees, as well as the Civil Justice Subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee ⁶. His current term is scheduled to end on November 3, 2026 ¹⁸.

Stinnett is running for re-election to the Tennessee House of Representatives in District 20 in the upcoming Republican primary on August 6, 2026 ¹⁸. He previously sought the Republican nomination for the same seat in the 2024 election cycle, where he defeated incumbent Bryan Richey in the primary before winning the general election ⁵.

Legislative record and accomplishments

Tom Stinnett serves on the Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee and its subcommittees on Agriculture and Civil Justice, as well as the Judiciary Committee ⁶. He assumed office in the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 20 on November 5, 2024, following his election to the 114th General Assembly ¹⁰.

During his tenure, Stinnett has engaged with high-profile local issues, including meeting with Blount County District Attorney General Ryan Desmond to discuss the sentencing of former teacher Joseph Dalton and public concerns regarding student safety ¹². He also publicly supported Dr. Naramore’s operation of Blount Memorial Hospital, voting against a super-majority of county commissioners who sought to return the hospital to profitability ³.

Stinnett has pledged support for congressional term limits by signing the Term Limits Pledge through U.S. Term Limits ¹³. While his legislative record is active, specific sponsored bill numbers are not detailed in the available source material ¹⁹.

Documented disputes and controversies

In August 2024, Stinnett faced a competitive Republican primary for District 20 against incumbent Representative Bryan Richey and other candidates ¹. Following the primary, an advertisement produced by a group supporting another candidate questioned Stinnett’s voting record on Blount Memorial Hospital, alleging that he consistently voted "NO" to oppose the super-majority of Blount County Commissioners regarding the hospital's management ³. The ad further claimed that Stinnett supported Dr. Naramore’s operation of the community hospital, which it characterized as a money-losing enterprise, while opposing actions that resulted in the hospital returning to profitability ³.

Prior to his election to the state legislature, Stinnett served on the Blount County Board of Commissioners for ten years ¹¹. His tenure ended when he resigned from District 7, Seat A effective November 11, 2024, to assume office in the Tennessee House of Representatives ⁹. During his time as a commissioner, he participated in board meetings and sponsored legislation within the county government structure ¹⁴.

As a state representative, Stinnett has engaged in public advocacy regarding specific legal cases. In May 2025, following community outcry over the sentencing of former Blount County teacher Joseph Dalton, Stinnett announced plans to meet with District Attorney General Ryan Desmond to discuss the case and concerns for student safety ¹².

Stinnett has also participated in national political advocacy efforts. In April 2024, he pledged support for congressional term limits by signing a commitment from U.S. Term Limits, an organization seeking to apply for an amendment proposal convention on the issue ¹³.

Business interests and wealth source

Tom Stinnett’s professional background is rooted in education rather than private business ownership or family wealth. He spent nearly 40 years working as a STEM teacher and coach within the Maryville City School System ¹²¹¹. Prior to his election to the state legislature, he served for ten years as a member of the Blount County Board of Commissioners, representing District 7 Seat A before resigning effective November 11, 2024 ⁹¹¹¹⁴.

Public financial disclosure records and biographical summaries do not identify significant private business holdings, sales of enterprises, or sources of substantial personal wealth beyond his public service and teaching careers. LegiStorm tracks his legislative activity and notes the existence of personal financial disclosures, but specific details regarding assets, income sources, or business stakes are not provided in the available records ⁷. His campaign materials emphasize his "lifetime of community service" and conservative values rather than commercial achievements ⁴⁶.

Family

Tom Stinnett is married to Patricia, and the couple has been married for 41 years ⁴. He states that he is a father and grandfather ¹¹.

Stinnett’s family members are not described as public figures or holding political office in the available sources.

Sources