Michele Carringer

Current office and 2026 campaign

Michele Carringer is a Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives representing District 16, having assumed office on November 3, 2020 ¹². Her current term concludes on November 3, 2026 ¹. She is seeking re-election to represent District 16 in the upcoming general election ¹. Carringer appears on the ballot for the Republican primary scheduled for August 6, 2026 ¹.

During the 2026 legislative session, which adjourned sine die following a productive period for the Republican supermajority, Carringer served as Chairlady of the Population Health Subcommittee ¹¹¹³. She participated in legislative activities including discussions on an interim forensic audit of Memphis-Shelby County Schools and celebrations of Tennessee’s agricultural heritage ¹⁰¹². Carringer also encouraged residents to utilize the state’s annual back-to-school sales tax holiday, citing strong fiscal policies as a benefit for families ⁷.

Background and education

Michele Carringer was born on February 4, 1962 ²¹⁸. She is a life-long resident of Knoxville, Tennessee, and describes herself as a native who believes the area is an ideal place to live, work, and raise a family ⁴⁵. Carringer identifies as a Southern Baptist ¹³.

Carringer graduated from Central High School in 1980 ¹. She later earned a degree from the University of Tennessee’s College of Communications ¹³.

Career

Michele Carringer is a life-long resident of Knoxville, Tennessee ⁴. She graduated from Central High School in 1980 and attended the University of Tennessee’s College of Communications ¹¹³. Prior to her legislative service, she served on the Knox County Commission, having been elected in August 2016 to represent the Second District ³. Her tenure on the commission concluded in September 2020 after completing a four-year term, during which she also served as Vice Chairperson of the Commission ³⁴. Carringer previously held a seat on the Knox County Commission from January 2009 through August 2010 ³.

During her time in local government, Carringer focused on fiscal conservatism and education funding ⁴. She states that she helped vote to keep taxes low, fully fund the school budget, and create the Knox County Employee Insurance Committee ⁴. Before her county commission service, she worked as an advertising professional ¹³.

Office history

Michele Carringer served on the Knox County Commission, representing Seat 7A from January 2009 through August 2010 ³. She was subsequently elected to represent the Second District in an August 2016 election, completing a four-year term that concluded in September 2020 ³. During her tenure as a county commissioner, she served as Vice Chairperson for two years and focused on initiatives such as keeping taxes low, fully funding the school budget, and creating the Knox County Employee Insurance Committee ³⁴⁵.

Carringer ran for the Tennessee House of Representatives in District 16 in 2020 to succeed retiring Representative Bill Dunn ⁸⁹. She won the Republican primary on August 6, 2020, defeating Patti Bounds with 58% of the vote ⁶¹⁷. She then defeated Democrat Elizabeth Rowland in the general election on November 3, 2020 ⁹. Carringer assumed office on January 12, 2021 ², or alternatively noted as November 3, 2020 in some records ¹¹⁵, and her current term is scheduled to end on November 3, 2026 ¹.

As a state representative, Carringer serves District 16, which includes the Fountain City, Halls, Powell, and Heiskell communities ³. She holds committee assignments including service on the Social Committees, Departments & Agencies Subcommittee, Health Committee, Population Health Subcommittee (which she chairs), and State & Local Government Committee ¹³. In April 2026, she participated in discussions regarding a forensic audit of Memphis-Shelby County Schools that identified significant operational deficiencies ¹⁰.

Carringer is currently running for re-election to the Tennessee House of Representatives to represent District 16 ¹. She is on the ballot for the Republican primary scheduled for August 6, 2026 ¹.

Legislative record and accomplishments

Michele Carringer serves in the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 16, a seat she assumed on January 12, 2021, succeeding retiring Speaker Pro Tempore Bill Dunn ². During her tenure, she has held several committee assignments, including service on the Social Committees - Departments & Agencies Subcommittee, the Health Committee, and the State & Local Government Committee ¹³. Carringer also serves as the Chairlady of the Population Health Subcommittee ¹³.

Carringer’s legislative priorities have centered on fiscal conservatism, public safety, and education. She has advocated for low taxes and school funding, noting that during her prior service on the Knox County Commission, she helped vote to keep taxes low and fully fund the school budget ⁴⁵. In the state legislature, she supports expanding educational opportunity through school choice and accountability measures ¹⁶. During the 2026 legislative session, which concluded with the adjournment of the 114th General Assembly, Carringer supported policies aimed at enhancing public safety and driving healthcare reform ¹¹.

On fiscal policy, Carringer has promoted tax relief initiatives, such as encouraging Tennesseans to utilize the annual back-to-school sales tax holiday to reduce costs for families ⁷. She has also engaged in oversight of public institutions, joining House and Senate Republican leaders to review an interim forensic audit of Memphis-Shelby County Schools that identified widespread operational deficiencies and waste ¹⁰.

Business interests and wealth source

Michele Carringer’s professional background prior to her legislative career includes service on the Knox County Commission and the Knox County Board of Education ³. She states that she has spent her life as a resident of Knoxville, focusing on local governance issues such as tax policy and school funding during her tenure on the county commission ⁴. Carringer graduated from Central High School in 1980 and attended the University of Tennessee’s College of Communications ¹.

Specific details regarding Carringer’s private business interests, ownership stakes, or the sources of personal wealth are not detailed in the provided source materials. While financial disclosure data is tracked by legislative monitoring services, the specific contents of these disclosures are not included in the available references ¹⁴. Consequently, there is no public information in the provided texts detailing significant sales of businesses or specific asset holdings for Carringer.

Family

Michele Carringer is married to Michael ². They have two children, Christie and Kent ². Carringer also has three grandchildren: Emma Grace, Oliva Scarlett, and Jack Michael ¹³.

Sources