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JODIE ANN BELL
Office history
Current office and 2026 campaign
Jodie Ann Bell is the incumbent Davidson County General Sessions Court judge for Division VI, seeking a full term in the 2026 election. The Metro Nashville Council elected Bell, a longtime Nashville defense attorney, to fill a vacant seat on the court in November 2025, choosing her over four other candidates, including attorney Michael Robinson 1. Bell was re-elected in the May 5, 2026 Democratic primary, defeating Michael Johnson; no Republican candidate qualified for the seat, so the primary result determines the office 2.
Background and education
Bell graduated with her law degree from Golden Gate University in 1994 and has practiced law in Tennessee since 1997 1.
Career
Before taking the bench, Bell spent nearly 30 years in litigation as a Nashville defense attorney. She is a member of the Nashville Bar Association, the National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys, the Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and the Lawyer's Association for Women. She has also served as a board member for Reconciliation Prison Ministries and the Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers 1.
Family
Bell is married to former Nashville Mayor David Briley, who currently serves as a Davidson County Circuit Court judge 1.
Sources
Public filings
Candidates and officeholders are required by law to file campaign finance reports and statements of economic interest. The sites below don't support direct links to an individual record — search by last name on each.
Tennessee — campaign finance (search)
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State offices (Governor, TN Senate, TN House, State Executive Committee, statewide judiciary) —
Tennessee Registry of Election Finance.
Click Search for Candidates and PACs, enter last name “BELL”, and submit.
US House, US Senate, and Presidential candidates file with the FEC — see the federal section below. - County and municipal offices (County Mayor, Commissioner, Sheriff, School Board, court clerks, municipal alderman, etc.) — most major TN counties use the EasyVote portal. Select the relevant county and search by candidate name (“BELL”).
Tennessee — statement of interest
- Required for state and local officials and candidates — Tennessee Ethics Commission Conflict of Interest Search. Enter last name “BELL”and, if needed, select the applicable position.