Michael Lankford

Current office and 2026 campaign

Michael Lankford is a Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives representing District 75 ¹. He assumed office on January 13, 2026, following his appointment by the Montgomery County Commission to fill the seat vacated by the death of Representative Jeff Burkhart ³⁸. Lankford was selected in a tie-breaking vote after the commission failed to reach a majority in earlier rounds of voting ⁹¹⁰. He is required under state law to vacate his position as Montgomery County Commissioner for District 6 to serve in the General Assembly ¹³.

Lankford is running for re-election to the Tennessee House of Representatives in the 2026 Republican primary for District 75 ¹. He qualified for the ballot by meeting the filing deadline of March 10, 2026 ². As an incumbent, he continues his legislative work, which has included participation in budget hearings and support for legislation such as House Bill 1649, known as Matthew Davenport’s Law, which bans kratom ¹⁵¹⁷.

Background and education

Michael Lankford was born on April 16, 1995 ³. He is a native of Montgomery County, Tennessee ¹². Professionally, he has worked as a financial officer with Farm Credit Mid America, serving farmers and rural landowners in Montgomery, Cheatham, Houston, Stewart, and Davidson counties ¹².

Lankford earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Austin Peay State University and a Master of Science degree from the University of Tennessee at Martin, both in agriculture business and risk management ³¹².

Career

Michael Lankford was born on April 16, 1995 ³. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Austin Peay State University and a Master of Science in agriculture business and risk management from UT Martin ³¹². Prior to his appointment to the state legislature, Lankford worked as a financial officer with Farm Credit Mid America, where he served farmers and rural landowners in Montgomery, Cheatham, Houston, Stewart, and Davidson counties ¹².

Lankford previously served as a commissioner for District 6 of the Montgomery County Commission ³⁶. He was appointed to the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 75 on December 8, 2025, following a tie-breaking vote by the Montgomery County Commission to fill the seat left vacant by the death of Representative Jeff Burkhart ⁴⁵⁸¹⁰. State law required him to vacate his county commissioner position upon accepting the state appointment ¹³. Lankford was sworn in as the representative for District 75 on January 13, 2026 ³⁷¹¹.

Office history

Michael Lankford served as a Montgomery County Commissioner for District 6 ³. He was elected to this position and assumed office prior to his appointment to the state legislature ¹². As a commissioner, he participated in county governance, including casting tie-breaking votes on personnel matters such as the appointment of the county clerk ⁶.

Lankford’s tenure on the Montgomery County Commission ended in December 2025 when he was appointed to fill a vacancy in the Tennessee House of Representatives. Following the death of State Representative Jeff Burkhart, the Montgomery County Commission held votes to select a replacement ⁸. After an initial 9-9 tie among commissioners, Mayor Wes Golden cast the deciding vote to appoint Lankford to the seat ¹⁰. This appointment required Lankford to vacate his county commission role, triggering a search for his successor in District 6 ¹³.

Lankford was sworn in as the Republican representative for Tennessee House District 75 on January 13, 2026, succeeding Jeff Burkhart ³. He assumed office for the remainder of Burkhart’s term ¹¹. In this capacity, he serves on committees and participates in legislative processes such as budget analysis and committee hearings ¹⁷.

Lankford has run for elected office previously. He announced a campaign for the Republican nomination to the Montgomery County Commission, District 6, where he was successful in his election to that body ¹². There is no record in the provided sources of other specific races won or lost by Lankford prior to his county commission service.

Legislative record and accomplishments

Michael Lankford assumed office in the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 75 on January 13, 2026, following an appointment by the Montgomery County Commission to fill the seat vacated by the death of Jeff Burkhart ³¹¹. Prior to his state legislative service, Lankford served as a Montgomery County Commissioner for District 6, where he worked on fiscal and policy matters alongside colleagues such as Joe Smith ⁶¹⁴.

During his initial months in the General Assembly, Lankford has focused on budgetary oversight and public safety legislation. He participated in hearings before the Finance, Ways and Means Committee regarding state agency funding requests and spending priorities ¹⁷. On issues of public health and safety, he supported House Bill 1649, known as Matthew Davenport’s Law, which bans the use, sale, and distribution of kratom and establishes criminal penalties for offenders ¹⁵.

Lankford’s policy positions emphasize fiscal conservatism and support for rural agricultural interests. As a former county commissioner, he endorsed candidates who demonstrated strong understanding of local government and fiscal responsibility, including Joe Smith for State Representative District 68 ¹⁴. He has also publicly supported Matt Van Epps for Congress, arguing that Tennessee’s rural future depends on leadership that understands the economic realities of farming, such as input costs and regulatory burdens ¹⁶.

Business interests and wealth source

Michael Lankford’s professional background is rooted in agriculture and finance. He has worked as a financial officer for Farm Credit Mid America, a role in which he serves farmers and rural landowners across Montgomery, Cheatham, Houston, Stewart, and Davidson counties ¹². His education includes a Bachelor of Science from Austin Peay State University and a Master of Science in agricultural business and risk management from UT Martin ¹².

Prior to his appointment to the Tennessee House of Representatives, Lankford served as a commissioner for Montgomery County District 6. He was required by state law to vacate this county seat upon being appointed to the state legislature ⁸¹³. During his time in local government, he held positions on multiple committees and described himself as fiscally conservative ¹⁴.

Public financial disclosure records for Lankford are not included in the provided source materials. Consequently, specific details regarding his personal wealth sources, ownership stakes in private businesses, or proceeds from any business sales cannot be detailed here.

Sources