Deanna McLaughlin

Current office and 2026 campaign

Deanna McLaughlin is a candidate for the Republican State Executive Committee, District 22 (part of Montgomery County), on the ballot for the August 6, 2026 Republican primary ¹⁰. The Tennessee Secretary of State's certified candidate list shows McLaughlin, of Clarksville, as the committeewoman candidate for that seat, having met the March 10, 2026 qualifying deadline ¹⁰. She does not currently hold elected office: she ran for the Tennessee House of Representatives, District 75, in 2022 and lost the Republican primary to Jeff Burkhar on August 4, 2022 ¹. McLaughlin previously served three terms on the Clarksville City Council representing Ward 2, resigning effective January 10, 2026 to accept a position as Deputy District Director for U.S. Congressman Matt Van Epps ²³⁹.

Background and education

Deanna McLaughlin was born in Portland, Oregon ¹. She has been a resident of Clarksville-Montgomery County since 1993, when her husband David was stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky ⁸. Her career experience includes working as an office manager ¹.

Career

Deanna McLaughlin’s professional background includes work as an office manager ¹. She has been a resident of Clarksville-Montgomery County since 1993, when her husband David was stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky ⁸. Her community involvement began through military-affiliated organizations ⁸.

In December 2025, McLaughlin resigned from her position as Ward 2 City Councilman in Clarksville to accept a professional role as Deputy District Director for Congressman Matt Van Epps, who represents Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District ²³⁹. She had previously served three terms on the Clarksville City Council, having first been elected in 2006 and re-elected twice ⁸.

Office history

Deanna McLaughlin began her elected service on the Clarksville City Council, representing Ward 2, after successfully running for the seat in 2006 ⁸. She was re-elected to two subsequent terms, serving a total of three terms in that role ²³. During her tenure, she served as an advocate for citizens and engaged in community endorsements, such as supporting Carlos Peters for Ward 3 ⁷.

McLaughlin resigned from the Clarksville City Council effective January 10, 2026, to accept a position as Deputy District Director for Congressman Matt Van Epps, who represents Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District ²³⁹. Prior to her resignation, she was recognized by Mayor Joe Pitts with a special proclamation at her final council meeting on January 8, 2026 ²³. Following the vacancy, seven candidates competed to replace her in Ward 2 ⁵.

In addition to her city council service, McLaughlin ran for election to the Tennessee House of Representatives to represent District 75 as a Republican candidate ¹. She officially launched this campaign in February 2022 ⁸. In the Republican primary held on August 4, 2022, she lost the race to Jeff Burkhar ¹.

After leaving the city council, McLaughlin sought to return to that body by filing as a write-in candidate for the open Ward 2 seat, which had become vacant due to residency questions regarding incumbent Vondell Richmond ⁶.

Legislative record and accomplishments

During her tenure on the Clarksville City Council, McLaughlin served three terms representing Ward 2 ². She resigned from the council in January 2026 to accept a position as Deputy District Director for Congressman Matt Van Epps ⁹. Prior to this resignation, she had been recognized by Mayor Joe Pitts with a special proclamation honoring her service ³.

McLaughlin’s legislative focus included community engagement and public safety initiatives. She organized volunteer efforts for Clarksville’s 911 services and participated in the September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance to support local parks ⁴. In her capacity as a council member, she publicly endorsed candidates for other municipal seats, such as recommending Carlos Peters for Ward 3 City Council ⁷.

In 2022, McLaughlin launched a campaign for the Tennessee House of Representatives to represent District 75 ⁸. She lost in the Republican primary on August 4, 2022 ¹. Following her resignation from the Clarksville City Council in January 2026, she announced a write-in bid for the open Ward 2 seat after incumbent Vondell Richmond was declared ineligible ⁶.

Family

McLaughlin has been a resident of Clarksville-Montgomery County since 1993, when her husband David was stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky ⁸.

Sources