Paul Sherrell

Current office and 2026 campaign

Paul Sherrell is a Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives representing District 43, having assumed office on November 8, 2016 ¹². His current term concludes on November 3, 2026 ¹. Sherrell is seeking re-election to the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 43 and appears on the ballot for the Republican primary scheduled for August 6, 2026 ¹⁴.

During his tenure, Sherrell has served as Floor Leader for the Tennessee House Republican Caucus and holds assignments on the Government Operations, Health, Population Health, Private Acts, and Transportation committees ¹⁰. In early 2026, he advocated for a federal grant to fund the Upper Cumberland State Veterans Cemetery in White County ¹⁷. Later that year, he sponsored House Bill 2221, which was unanimously passed by the General Assembly to enhance transparency in the criminal justice process and prepare the state for the implementation of Marsy’s Law ¹⁸.

Background and education

Paul Sherrell was born on March 28, 1959, in White County, Tennessee, where he grew up on a farm ²⁹. He attended White County High School, graduating in 1977 ⁹. Following high school, Sherrell obtained a commercial driver's license at the age of eighteen and worked as a construction worker and heavy equipment operator ³⁹.

Sherrell furthered his education by attending the Tennessee Law Enforcement Academy, after which he served as a law enforcement officer ⁹¹⁵. He also completed training at the Tennessee Real Estate Educational Systems Real Estate School, becoming a licensed real estate agent ¹⁵.

Career

Paul Sherrell was born on March 28, 1959, in White County, Tennessee, and grew up on a farm ²⁹. He graduated from White County High School in 1977 ⁹. Following graduation, he obtained a commercial driver's license at age eighteen ³⁹. His early professional career included work as a construction worker and heavy equipment operator ³⁹.

Sherrell attended the Tennessee Law Enforcement Academy and served as a law enforcement officer ⁹¹⁵. He later completed training at the Tennessee Real Estate Educational Systems Real Estate School and worked as a real estate agent ¹⁵. Additionally, Sherrell has owned an auto parts business ³.

Office history

Paul Sherrell first entered elected office in 2016 when he won election to the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 43, becoming the first Republican ever elected to that seat ²³. He assumed office on November 8, 2016, following a two-year term cycle typical for the chamber ¹². Sherrell has since been re-elected to represent District 43 in subsequent general elections, serving continuously through the 2021–2022 and 2023–2024 legislative sessions ¹¹⁶. His current term is scheduled to end on November 3, 2026 ¹.

During his tenure, Sherrell has held various committee assignments. In the 2023–2024 session, he served as Floor Leader and was assigned to the Government Operations Committee, Health Committee, Population Health Subcommittee, Private Acts Committee, and Transportation Committee ¹⁰. Prior sessions saw him assigned to other committees, though specific details for earlier years are less detailed in available records ¹.

Sherrell is currently on the ballot for re-election to the Tennessee House of Representatives in District 43. He is listed as a candidate in the Republican primary scheduled for August 6, 2026 ¹⁴. As this election date is after the current date of May 11, 2026, the outcome of this race is unknown ¹.

Legislative record and accomplishments

Sherrell’s legislative portfolio includes significant work on criminal justice reform and veterans' affairs. In April 2026, he sponsored House Bill 2221, which was unanimously passed by the General Assembly to prepare Tennessee for the passage of Marsy’s Law; this legislation requires criminal court clerks to provide data to the Tennessee Sheriff’s Association for the Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE) system ¹⁸. Earlier in his tenure, he advocated for federal funding that led to a grant for the Upper Cumberland State Veterans Cemetery in White County ¹⁷.

On fiscal policy, Sherrell voted in favor of HB534/SB1221 regarding gas taxes and supported HB1782/SB2656 to repeal emissions tests ¹¹. He also backed HB2021/SB1987 for CAF reform and HB2143 (SB1877) for CAF transparency ¹¹. In the area of business regulation, he supported HB2248/SB2465, known as the Fresh Start Act, and HB1020/SB1086 concerning Air B&B regulations ¹¹.

Sherrell has consistently voted against marijuana decriminalization efforts. He voted in favor of HB0173/SB0173, which clarifies that state law preempts local government enactments regarding drug regulation and sanctions ¹². His voting record also includes support for HB1716/SB1759 to ban car smoking and HB306/SB1194 to repeal shampoo licensing requirements ¹¹.

Regarding social issues, Sherrell supported SB 16/HB 1 (Tennessee Sports Gaming Act), SB 364/HB 563 (Business Protection Act), and SB 1257/HB 1029 (Human Life Protection Act) ⁵. He also voted for SB 1297/HB 1151 regarding single-sex restroom laws, SB 1304/HB 836 on conscience provisions for child-placing agencies, and SB 1373/HB 307 allowing elective religious courses for credit ⁵. Additionally, he supported SB 1499/HB 1274 (School Protection Act), SB 1736/HB 1689 on single-sex student athletics, and SB 2196/HB 2263 (Governor Lee's Pro-Life Bill) ⁵.

Sherrell’s committee assignments have included the Government Operations Committee, Health Committee, Population Health Subcommittee, Private Acts Committee, and Transportation Committee ¹⁰. He has served as Floor Leader for the Tennessee House Republican Caucus ¹⁰.

In February 2023, Sherrell sparked controversy during a debate on HB1245, which would allow electrocution as an alternative to lethal injection. While discussing an amendment to add execution by firing squad, he asked if he could include an amendment for "hanging by a tree," a comment that drew criticism from the Tennessee Black Caucus and the NAACP before he issued an apology ⁶⁷⁸.

Documented disputes and controversies

In February 2023, during a Criminal Justice Subcommittee meeting regarding HB1245, which would allow electrocution as an alternative to lethal injection and include an amendment for execution by firing squad, Representative Sherrell suggested adding hanging from a tree as another method ⁶⁷. He stated, “I was just wondering, could I put an amendment on that that would include hanging by a tree, also” ⁶¹³. The remark drew criticism from the NAACP and members of the Tennessee Black Caucus, who labeled the comment "wrong, unjust, and racist" and called for his resignation ⁸. Sherrell subsequently issued an apology for the remarks ⁷¹³.

Sherrell has faced a petition on Change.org with over 42,000 signatures calling for his removal from office, citing concerns over his public service record ¹⁵. In March 2023, he sponsored legislation to rename a portion of Rep. John Lewis Way in Nashville to President Donald Trump Boulevard, a proposal that intersected with Dr. Martin L. King Jr. Blvd and drew commentary linking the move to the earlier lynching comment controversy ¹⁴.

Business interests and wealth source

Sherrell states that he grew up on a farm in White County, Tennessee, and obtained a commercial driver's license at age 18 ³⁹. His professional background includes work as a construction worker, heavy equipment operator, real estate agent, and law enforcement officer ³⁹. He also owned an auto parts business, which he has since sold ³.

Sherrell self-describes his career history as diverse, encompassing roles in real estate and law enforcement to gain insights into community needs ¹⁵. Specific details regarding the value of his assets, ownership stakes in current ventures, or the financial terms of his past business sales are not provided in the available sources.

Family

Sherrell is married to Miranda and they have two children ².

Sources