{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nMark Proctor is a Democratic candidate running for election to the Tennessee House of Representatives to represent District 59 [1]. He is on the ballot in the Democratic primary scheduled for August 6, 2026 [1]. The general election for this seat is set to occur on November 3, 2026 [1].\n\nProctor\u2019s campaign focuses on issues including gun safety, strong public schools, and affordable living for working families [2]. He states that he seeks to lower costs by expanding access to affordable housing, reducing healthcare and prescription drug costs, and investing in education [3]. Proctor self-describes as a former Tennessee Highway Patrol officer with more than 25 years of service, during which he led hundreds of troopers and managed critical divisions [2]. He also notes his experience as a business owner [1].\n\nThe race has gained attention following the announcement by outgoing District 59 Representative Caleb Hemmer that he will not seek reelection in 2026 [5]. Proctor received endorsements from former Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen and Rep. Hemmer, who praised Proctor\u2019s integrity and decades of service [4]. Proctor completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey for the 2026 election cycle [1].\n\n## Background and education\n\nMark Proctor is a Democratic candidate running for election to the Tennessee House of Representatives to represent District 59 [1]. He states that he served with the Tennessee Highway Patrol for more than 25 years, during which time he led hundreds of troopers across the state and managed critical divisions [2]. His career experience also includes working as a business owner [1].\n\nSpecific details regarding his birthplace, year of birth, upbringing, religion, schools attended, or degrees earned are not provided in the available sources.\n\n## Career\n\nMark Proctor\u2019s professional background includes more than 25 years of service with the Tennessee Highway Patrol [2]. During his tenure, he worked to keep families safe and led hundreds of troopers across the state while managing critical divisions [2]. In August 2015, he was promoted to the rank of Major upon the creation of the Protective Services and Special Programs Bureau, which oversaw units responsible for the safety of citizens, government officials, state employees, and state facilities [6].\n\nIn addition to his law enforcement career, Proctor is a business owner [1].\n\n## Office history\n\nMark Proctor served for more than 25 years with the Tennessee Highway Patrol, where he led hundreds of troopers across the state and managed critical divisions [2]. He also worked as a business owner [1].\n\nProctor is running for election to the Tennessee House of Representatives to represent District 59 in the Democratic primary on August 6, 2026 [1]. This race follows the announcement by incumbent State Representative Caleb Hemmer that he would not seek reelection in 2026 [5]. Proctor has received endorsements from former Governor Phil Bredesen and outgoing District 59 Representative Caleb Hemmer for this upcoming contest [4].\n\n## Business interests and wealth source\n\nMark Proctor\u2019s professional background includes experience as a business owner [1]. He also self-describes having served for more than 25 years with the Tennessee Highway Patrol, where he led hundreds of troopers and managed critical divisions before retiring from law enforcement [2]. Specific details regarding his business ownership stakes, the nature of those enterprises, or any sales of such businesses are not provided in the available sources.\n\nFinancial disclosure documents or specific figures detailing the source of Proctor\u2019s wealth are not included in the provided reference materials. Consequently, no information can be reported on significant financial-disclosure facts or family wealth sources for this section.\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Mark Proctor (Tennessee)](https://ballotpedia.org/Mark_Proctor_(Tennessee))\n[2] [About \u2014 Mark Proctor for Tennessee](https://www.markproctortn.com/about)\n[3] [Mark Proctor for Tennessee](https://www.markproctortn.com/)\n[4] [Former Governor Phil Bredesen and Rep. Caleb Hemmer Endorse Mark Proctor for State House District 59 \u2013 The Tennessee Tribune](https://tntribune.com/former-governor-phil-bredesen-and-rep-caleb-hemmer-endorse-mark-proctor-for-state-house-district-59/)\n[5] [Rep. Caleb Hemmer won't run again; Democrat Mark Proctor will - Nashville Banner](https://nashvillebanner.com/2025/11/12/caleb-hemmer-mark-proctor-state-legislature/)\n[6] [Tennessee Highway Patrol creates Protective Services and Special Programs Bureau - Clarksville Online - Clarksville News, Sports, Events and Information](https://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2015/08/18/tennessee-highway-patrol-creates-protective-services-and-special-programs-bureau/)","campaigns":[{"contest":"state_house_059","county":"Davidson","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"primary","state":"TN","title":"TN House District 59"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"Mark","fullname":"Mark Proctor","lastname":"Proctor","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"state_house_059","contest_title":"TN House District 59","county":"Davidson","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"state_house_059","office_title":"State Representative District 59","party":"D","pgr":"primary","state":"TN"}],"county":null,"cycles":[{"general":null,"party":"D","primary":{"contest":"state_house_059","contest_title":"TN House District 59","county":"Davidson","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"state_house_059","office_title":"State Representative District 59","party":"D","pgr":"primary","state":"TN"},"term":null,"year":2026}],"office_key":"state_house_059","office_title":"State Representative District 59","state":"TN","terms":[]}],"summary":"Mark Proctor is a Democratic candidate for Tennessee House District 59, formerly a THP Major and business owner.","terms":[],"token":"WoMG13gyoj"}