{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nMonica Mowdy is a Democratic candidate running for election to the Tennessee House of Representatives to represent District 25 [1]. She is on the ballot in the Democratic primary scheduled for August 6, 2026, with the general election set for November 3, 2026 [1].\n\nMowdy self-describes as a Tennessean for nearly 30 years and a Cumberland County neighbor who previously worked as a public school teacher and teacher trainer before becoming an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church [3]. She currently serves as the church planter of The Wellspring, part of the Upper Cumberland Branch of the Vine UMC in Crossville, and is a member of the Commission on Church and Society for the TWKUMC Conference [7]. Her campaign emphasizes her experience in education, ministry, and advocacy, stating that she is running because residents deserve a representative who listens and fights for them daily [3].\n\nThe candidate maintains an active campaign presence through her website, electmonica.com, where supporters can donate via ActBlue [4]. Campaign communications are handled through the email address mowdytn25@gmail.com or by phone at 931-248-9989 [2].\n\n## Background and education\n\nMonica Mowdy is a native of Oklahoma who grew up in the state, where she watched storms and tornadoes during her youth [5]. She has lived in Tennessee for nearly 30 years and is a neighbor of Cumberland County [3]. Her religious affiliation is with the United Methodist Church, where she serves as an ordained elder [7]. Mowdy states that she was not born into the United Methodist faith; her early church exposure ended after her mother married a Roman Catholic, leading her to seek a church community as an adult at age 23 while living in Oklahoma [6].\n\nMowdy graduated from Oklahoma State University with degrees in Child Development and Early Care and Education [7]. Her professional background includes work in public school teaching, teacher training, and ministry roles spanning 20 years [3]. She previously worked in early childhood education and with childcare centers before becoming the Pastor of Carthage United Methodist Church and later serving as the church planter of The Wellspring in Crossville [5][7].\n\n## Career\n\nMonica Mowdy is a native of Oklahoma who graduated from Oklahoma State University with degrees in Child Development and Early Care and Education [7]. She originally pursued a career in early childhood education before working with childcare centers and families [5]. Mowdy later became a teacher, noting that she was a \"brand new teacher\" while living in a small town in Oklahoma at age 23 [6].\n\nMowdy has served as an ordained elder of the United Methodist Church for approximately 20 years [7]. Her ministry work includes serving as the Pastor of Carthage United Methodist Church and currently acting as the church planter of The Wellspring, which is part of The Upper Cumberland Branch of the Vine UMC in Crossville [7]. She is also a member of the Commission on Church and Society for the Tennessee West Kentucky Conference of the United Methodist Church (TWKUMC) [7].\n\n## Office history\n\nMonica Mowdy has not previously held elected or appointed public office [1]. She is currently running for election to the Tennessee House of Representatives to represent District 25 in the Democratic primary scheduled for August 6, 2026 [1]. The general election for this seat is set for November 3, 2026 [1].\n\nPrior to her current campaign, Mowdy\u2019s professional career has been focused on education and ministry rather than political office. She originally worked in early childhood education before transitioning to roles with childcare centers and families [5]. She later became a public school teacher and teacher trainer [3]. In 2006, she graduated from Oklahoma State University with degrees in Child Development and Early Care and Education [7].\n\nMowdy has spent approximately 20 years serving in various ministry settings within the United Methodist Church [7]. She is an ordained elder who previously served as the Pastor of Carthage United Methodist Church [5][7]. As of the time of her campaign launch, she serves as the church planter of The Wellspring, part of the Upper Cumberland Branch of the Vine UMC in Crossville [7]. She is also a member of the Commission on Church and Society for the Tennessee West Kentucky United Methodist Conference (TWKUMC) [7].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Monica Mowdy](https://ballotpedia.org/Monica_Mowdy)\n[2] [Contact | Monica Mowdy for TN House District 25](https://www.electmonica.com/contact.html)\n[3] [Monica Mowdy for Tennessee House District 25 | For You. For ...](https://www.electmonica.com/)\n[4] [Donate to Monica Mowdy!](https://secure.actblue.com/donate/monica-mowdy-25)\n[5] [The Calling, 14 Jul Meet Monica Mowdy \u00b7 News Talk 94.1 - iono.fm](https://iono.fm/e/717297)\n[6] [Staying in the UMC | Monica Mowdy - TWKUMC](https://twkumc.org/news/staying-in-the-umc-monica-mowdy/)\n[7] [Rev. Monica Mowdy | Profile](https://www.thevineumc.church/profile/7910c4d7-2229-454c-8eb2-3d0f7512179a/profile)","campaigns":[{"contest":"state_house_025","county":"Cumberland","county_count":2,"electiondate":"Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"primary","state":"TN","title":"TN House District 25"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"Monica","fullname":"Monica Mowdy","lastname":"Mowdy","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"state_house_025","contest_title":"TN House District 25","county":"Cumberland","county_count":2,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"state_house_025","office_title":"State Representative District 25","party":"D","pgr":"primary","state":"TN"}],"county":null,"cycles":[{"general":null,"party":"D","primary":{"contest":"state_house_025","contest_title":"TN House District 25","county":"Cumberland","county_count":2,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"state_house_025","office_title":"State Representative District 25","party":"D","pgr":"primary","state":"TN"},"term":null,"year":2026}],"office_key":"state_house_025","office_title":"State Representative District 25","state":"TN","terms":[]}],"summary":"Monica Mowdy is a Democratic candidate for Tennessee House District 25, currently serving as a United Methodist Church pastor and former educator.","terms":[],"token":"SGNfVMjYil"}