Jimmy Matlock

Current office and 2026 campaign

Jimmy Matlock is a Republican candidate running for election to the Tennessee State Senate to represent District 5 ¹. He is listed on the ballot for the Republican primary scheduled for August 6, 2026 ¹.

Matlock previously served as a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives, representing District 21, from 2007 until leaving office in 2018 ¹⁶. He was a Republican candidate for Tennessee's 2nd Congressional District in the U.S. House, losing the primary on August 2, 2018 ¹.

Background and education

Jimmy Matlock was born on February 5, 1959, in Loudon, Tennessee ²³⁴⁶. He is a Christian who attends the Church of Nazarene ²³⁴⁵. Matlock attended Middle Tennessee State University from 1978 to 1979 and also attended the University of Tennessee ¹⁶. He did not complete his college education, having been forced to leave school shortly before graduating to run the family business following the death of his father ⁸.

Career

Jimmy Matlock is a business owner who was forced to leave Middle Tennessee State University shortly before graduating to run his family’s business following the death of his father ⁸. He attended the University of Tennessee and has self-describes as having never finished college ¹⁸. Prior to his political career, he served as the past president of the Tennessee / Kentucky Tire Dealers Association ²³.

Matlock has held various board positions in the private and non-profit sectors. He is a former board member of BB & T Bank in the Tennessee Region and currently serves on the board of the Tellico Reservoir Development Agency ²³. He also serves as a board member of the East Tennessee Church of the Nazarene Advisory Board and was the chair of the Loudon County Habitat for Humanity Capital Campaign ². Additionally, he has been a board member of the Loudon County United Way and the Eaton Crossroads Ruritan Club ²³.

In 2023, Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally appointed Matlock to the Tennessee Higher Education Commission Board, where he advises the state’s colleges and universities ⁸.

Office history

Jimmy Matlock served in the Tennessee House of Representatives from District 21 from January 9, 2007, to January 8, 2019 ¹⁶. He assumed office in 2007 following a victory in the 2006 general election, succeeding Russell Johnson ¹⁶. Matlock represented parts of Loudon and Monroe counties as a Republican member during his tenure ⁴.

During his time in the state legislature, Matlock held several committee assignments. He served as Chair of the House Transportation Committee and was a member of the House Calendar & Rules Committee, the House Insurance and Banking Committee, and the House Transportation Subcommittee ¹⁰. He also served on the House State and Local Committee ⁴.

Matlock ran for Tennessee's 2nd Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2018 ¹. He lost the Republican primary election held on August 2, 2018 ¹⁷. Following his departure from the state House, he was appointed to the Tennessee Higher Education Commission Board by Lt. Gov. and State Sen. Randy McNally ⁸.

Legislative record and accomplishments

During his tenure in the Tennessee House of Representatives from 2007 to 2019, Matlock served on several key committees, including the House State and Local Committee, the House Transportation Committee, and the House Insurance and Banking Committee ⁴. He also held leadership roles within the chamber, serving as Chair of the House Transportation Committee and as a member of the House Calendar & Rules Committee and the House Transportation Subcommittee ¹⁰.

Matlock was a vocal advocate for transportation infrastructure, emphasizing the economic benefits of rail efficiency in reducing road congestion ¹⁰. His legislative focus extended to insurance and banking issues through his committee assignments ⁴¹⁰. Following his time in the state legislature, he was appointed by Lt. Gov. Randy McNally to the Tennessee Higher Education Commission Board to advise on matters regarding the state’s colleges and universities ⁸.

Business interests and wealth source

Matlock identifies himself as a business owner ²³⁴. He left Middle Tennessee State University before graduating to run his family’s business following the death of his father ⁸. While he attended the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, sources do not specify the nature or current status of his business holdings beyond this general description ⁶.

Matlock served as a board member for BB & T Bank in the Tennessee region and was a past president of the Tennessee / Kentucky Tire Dealers Association ²³⁵. He also held board positions with the Tellico Reservoir Development Agency, the Eaton Crossroads Ruritan Club, and Loudon County United Way ²³⁵.

In 2023, Matlock was appointed to the Tennessee Higher Education Commission Board by Lt. Gov. Randy McNally ⁸. LegiStorm records indicate that personal financial disclosures for Matlock have been filed, though specific details regarding his wealth source or asset values are not provided in the available sources ⁹.

Family

Jimmy Matlock is married to Dean ⁶. The couple has three children ². His wife accompanied him during his campaign activities for congressional office ¹¹.

Sources