{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nMark Pody is a Republican member of the Tennessee State Senate representing District 17, having assumed office on January 9, 2018 [1][2]. His current term is scheduled to end on November 3, 2026 [1]. In the 2026 election cycle, Pody is seeking re-election to the Tennessee State Senate for District 17 and is listed as a candidate on the ballot for the Republican primary scheduled for August 6, 2026 [1][7].\n\nDuring the 2026 legislative session, Pody exerted control over various state matters before the General Assembly adjourned to allow lawmakers to raise funds and campaign for reelection [5]. In May 2026, he stated that he would not be introducing legislation to criminalize women for seeking abortion procedures [5]. Additionally, Pody was appointed to lead the Legislative Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol Tennessee Wing, where he was promoted from major to lieutenant colonel within the organization [9].\n\n## Background and education\n\nMark Allen Pody was born on April 23, 1956, in Spokane, Washington [2]. He resides in Lebanon, Tennessee [3]. Pody is married to Barbara Lynne Pody [2].\n\nSpecific details regarding his upbringing, religious affiliation, and the schools he attended or degrees he earned are not provided in the available sources.\n\n## Career\n\nMark Pody has worked as an insurance producer and owned a financial planning and insurance firm [1][2]. He self-describes as a small business owner who has consistently stood against government overreach [6].\n\nPody served in the Civil Air Patrol, the official civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, where he was promoted from major to lieutenant colonel [9]. He was appointed to lead the Legislative Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol Tennessee Wing to strengthen connections between volunteer service and state government [9].\n\n## Office history\n\nMark Pody served in the Tennessee House of Representatives from District 46 from January 11, 2011, to January 9, 2018 [2][4]. He succeeded Stratton Bone, Jr. in that role and was succeeded by Clark Boyd [2].\n\nPody assumed office in the Tennessee State Senate representing District 17 on January 9, 2018, succeeding Mae Beavers [2]. His current term is scheduled to end on November 3, 2026 [1]. During the 2023\u20132024 legislative session, he served as the Second Vice Chair of the State & Local Government Committee and was a member of the Senate Education Committee [1].\n\nPrior to his election to the Senate, Pody ran in a special election for District 17 after Mae Beavers resigned in August to pursue a gubernatorial campaign [11]. In that race, he defeated Democratic candidate Mary Alice Carfi by 308 votes (5,990 to 5,682) [11].\n\nPody is currently running for re-election to the Tennessee State Senate to represent District 17 [1]. He is on the ballot in the Republican primary scheduled for August 6, 2026 [1].\n\n## Legislative record and accomplishments\n\nMark Pody has served in the Tennessee State Senate since January 9, 2018, representing District 17 [1]. Prior to his election to the Senate, he served in the Tennessee House of Representatives from the 46th district from January 11, 2011, until January 9, 2018 [2]. He assumed the Senate seat following a special election victory over Democratic candidate Mary Alice Carfi by 308 votes (5,990 to 5,682), succeeding Mae Beavers who resigned from the position [11].\n\nDuring the 2023-2024 legislative session, Pody held assignments on the Senate Education Committee and served as Second Vice Chair of the State & Local Government Committee [1]. His legislative portfolio has included involvement with several significant bills, such as SB 16/HB 1 (Tennessee Sports Gaming Act), SB 1257/HB 1029 (Human Life Protection Act), and SB 2196/HB 2263 (Governor Lee's Pro-Life Bill) [8]. In the 2026 session, Pody stated he would not be introducing legislation to criminalize women for seeking abortion procedures [5].\n\nPody\u2019s policy positions emphasize conservative fiscal policies and limiting the size and scope of government, arguing that many initiatives are best handled by individuals, churches, and non-profits rather than the state [10]. He has also been active in civic organizations, notably being appointed to lead the Legislative Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol Tennessee Wing, where he was promoted from major to lieutenant colonel [9].\n\n## Business interests and wealth source\n\nMark Pody has identified himself as a small business owner and insurance producer [2][6]. His professional background includes ownership of a financial planning and insurance firm [1]. He also operated an insurance agency [10].\n\nPody self-describes his career focus as fighting for smaller government and standing against government overreach through his business experience [6]. Specific details regarding the size of his wealth, precise ownership stakes in his businesses, or the sale of any companies are not provided in the available sources.\n\n## Family\n\nMark Pody is married to Barbara Lynne Pody [2]. The couple has two children [3].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Mark Pody - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Mark_Pody)\n[2] [Mark Pody - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Pody)\n[3] [Vote-USA | Mark A. Pody | Currently Elected State Senator District 17, Tennessee](https://vote-usa.org/Intro.aspx?State=TN&Id=TNPodyMark)\n[4] [State Senator Mark Pody | BillTrack50](https://www.billtrack50.com/legislatordetail/6122)\n[5] [Sen. Mark Pody Archives \u2022 Tennessee Lookout](https://tennesseelookout.com/tag/sen-mark-pody/)\n[6] [contact Senator Mark Pody](https://sengov.com/states/tennessee/mark-pody/)\n[7] [Mark Pody | BallotReady](https://www.ballotready.org/people/mark-pody)\n[8] [Sen. Mark Pody - Family Action Council of Tennessee](https://scorecard.factennessee.org/senators/mark-pody)\n[9] [Tennessee State Senator Mark Pody Selected to Lead Civil Air Patrol Legislative Outreach](https://www.cap.news/p/tennessee-state-senator-mark-pody-selected-to-lead-civil-air-patrol-legislative-outreach)\n[10] [Mark Pody Announces Run For Senate Seat - WBRY FM 107.1 AM 1540](https://www.wbry.com/mark-pody-announces-run-for-senate-seat/)\n[11] [State Rep. Mark Pody Archives - Tennessee Star](https://tennesseestar.com/tag/state-rep-mark-pody/)","campaigns":[{"contest":"state_senate_017","county":"Davidson","county_count":2,"electiondate":"Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"primary","state":"TN","title":"TN Senate District 17"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"Mark","fullname":"Mark Pody","lastname":"Pody","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"state_senate_017","contest_title":"TN Senate District 17","county":"Davidson","county_count":2,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"state_senate_017","office_title":"State Senate District 17","party":"R","pgr":"primary","state":"TN"}],"county":null,"cycles":[{"general":null,"party":"R","primary":{"contest":"state_senate_017","contest_title":"TN Senate District 17","county":"Davidson","county_count":2,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"state_senate_017","office_title":"State Senate District 17","party":"R","pgr":"primary","state":"TN"},"term":null,"year":2026},{"general":null,"party":"R","primary":null,"term":{"county":null,"electiondate":"2022-11-08","office_county":null,"office_key":"state_senate_017","office_title":"State Senate District 17","party":"R","state":"tn","term_end":"2026-11-03","term_start":"2022-11-08"},"year":2022}],"office_key":"state_senate_017","office_title":"State Senate District 17","state":"TN","terms":[{"county":null,"electiondate":"2022-11-08","office_county":null,"office_key":"state_senate_017","office_title":"State Senate District 17","party":"R","state":"tn","term_end":"2026-11-03","term_start":"2022-11-08"}]}],"summary":"Mark Pody is a Republican Tennessee State Senator representing District 17 since 2018, previously serving in the State House.","terms":[{"county":null,"electiondate":"2022-11-08","office":"state_senate_017","state":"tn","term_end":"2026-11-03","term_start":"2022-11-08","title":"State Senate District 17"}],"token":"aVpF9tqYPp"}