Bob Freeman

Current office and 2026 campaign

Bob Freeman is a Democratic member of the Tennessee House of Representatives representing District 56, a portion of Davidson County ³. He assumed office on November 6, 2018, following his initial election in 2018 ¹. His current term is scheduled to end on November 3, 2026 ¹.

Freeman is seeking re-election to the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 56 as a Democrat ¹. He appears on the ballot for the Democratic primary scheduled for August 6, 2026 ¹. His campaign office is located at 425 John Lewis Way North Suite 592 in the Cordell Hull Building in Nashville ⁴.

In his current role, Freeman serves as Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus in the Tennessee House ⁴. He has advocated for issues including public education, local business support, reproductive health access, and gun safety reform, which he states reflect the community's shared vision ⁵. Additionally, Freeman introduced legislation to legalize recreational marijuana in Tennessee, known as the "Free All Cannabis for Tennesseans Act" (HB1968) ⁷.

Background and education

Bob Freeman was born on July 3, 1975, in Nashville, Tennessee ³. He is the oldest of three children and resides in Nashville with his wife, Rachel, and their three children ³⁴. Freeman self-describes as Presbyterian ⁴.

Freeman earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Management and Land Development from Middle Tennessee State University between 2002 and 2006 ⁴. He later obtained a Master of Science in Sustainability from Lipscomb University's Institute for Sustainable Practice, graduating in 2012 with a grade point average of 3.7 ⁴.

Career

Bob Freeman was born in Nashville, Tennessee, and is the son of Bill Freeman, a noted real estate executive and fundraiser for both the Tennessee and national Democratic parties ⁶. He earned a bachelor’s degree in construction management and land development from Middle Tennessee State University between 2002 and 2006 ⁴. He later obtained a master’s degree in sustainability from Lipscomb University's Institute for Sustainable Practice, graduating in 2012 with a grade point average of 3.7 ⁴.

Professionally, Freeman serves as the president of Freeman Webb Company ⁶. His political career began when he assumed office as a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives representing District 56 on January 8, 2019, succeeding Beth Harwell ³. He is a Democrat and currently holds the position of Democratic Caucus Vice Chair within the Tennessee legislature ⁴.

Office history

Bob Freeman first ran for office in 2018, winning election to the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 56 as a Democrat ¹⁵. He assumed office on November 6, 2018, succeeding Beth Harwell ³. Members of the Tennessee House serve two-year terms and are not subject to term limits ². Freeman was subsequently re-elected in 2020, 2022, and 2024, continuing his tenure as the representative for District 56, which is located in Davidson County ¹⁶. His current term is scheduled to end on November 3, 2026 ¹.

As a state representative, Freeman’s key responsibilities include legislative duties such as introducing bills and serving on committees. He has served as the Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus ⁴. Notable legislative actions include co-sponsoring bills for marijuana regulation and introducing the "Free All Cannabis for Tennesseans Act" (HB1968) to legalize recreational marijuana, which he sought to have heard in the Agriculture Committee ⁷. He also advocates on issues including public education, local business support, reproductive health access, and gun safety reform ⁵.

Freeman is currently on the ballot for re-election to the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 56 in the Democratic primary scheduled for August 6, 2026 ¹. The outcome of this upcoming election is unknown.

Legislative record and accomplishments

Rep. Freeman serves as Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus in the Tennessee House of Representatives ⁴. His legislative priorities include protecting public education, supporting local businesses, advocating for reproductive health access, and promoting responsible gun safety reform, positions he self-describes as reflecting his community’s shared vision ⁵.

In 2025, Freeman introduced the “Free All Cannabis for Tennesseans Act” (HB1968), legislation that would legalize the growth, sale, and possession of marijuana in Tennessee ⁷. He advocated for the bill to be heard by the Agriculture Committee, arguing that farmers would support the measure, having previously co-sponsored a different bill focused on cannabis regulation ⁷.

The Family Action Council of Tennessee’s 2020 legislative scorecard indicates Freeman voted against several key conservative measures during that session. These votes included opposition to SB 16/HB 1 (Tennessee Sports Gaming Act), SB 1257/HB 1029 (Human Life Protection Act), and SB 2196/HB 2263 (Governor Lee's Pro-Life Bill) ⁸. He also voted against SB 1499/HB 1274 (School Protection Act) and SB 1736/HB 1689 (Single-Sex Student Athletics) ⁸.

Business interests and wealth source

Bob Freeman serves as the president of Freeman Webb Company ⁶. He is the son of Bill Freeman, a noted real estate executive and fundraiser for both the Tennessee and national Democratic parties ⁶. Bill Freeman is also the owner of FW Publishing, the parent company of the Nashville Scene ⁶.

Freeman holds a bachelor’s degree in construction management and land development from Middle Tennessee State University and a master’s degree in sustainability from Lipscomb University's Institute for Sustainable Practice ⁴. His educational background in construction and land development aligns with his family's real estate business interests ⁴.

Family

Bob Freeman was born in Nashville, Tennessee, as the oldest of three children to Bill Freeman, a noted real estate executive and fundraiser for both the Tennessee and national Democratic parties³⁶. He is married to Rachel, and they have three children⁴.

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