{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nTelisa Franklin is a candidate for the Tennessee House of Representatives representing District 96 [1]. She is running as a member of the Democratic Party and appears on the ballot for the Democratic primary scheduled for August 6, 2026 [1]. The general election for this seat is set to take place on November 3, 2026 [1].\n\nFranklin has received endorsements from organizations featured in the Blue Voter Guide, which supports pro-democracy choices through its candidate profiles [2]. In recent months, she has remained active in local media and community engagement. On February 24, 2026, Franklin joined the Action News 5 Digital Desk to discuss upcoming city events, including the Black Women\u2019s Health Expo and a Shelby County Mayoral Candidate Forum [11]. Prior to that, in March 2026, she participated in a video discussion with the Junior League of Memphis [10].\n\nHer public appearances have frequently focused on highlighting community activities across the Mid-South. In December 2025, she highlighted events such as a New Year\u2019s Eve Party for the Homeless and the Mickell Lowery New Year\u2019s Day Prayer Breakfast [12]. Earlier in her career, Franklin was known for her work with WAVN The Trend, where she discussed topics ranging from housing crises to local parades [4] [5] [6] [7] [9]. She has also been involved in business ownership, previously operating a flower shop in Highland Heights before closing it due to repeated break-ins [8].\n\n## Career\n\nDr. Telisa Franklin is a business owner who previously operated Flowers & More, a flower shop located on Summer Avenue in the Highland Heights neighborhood of Memphis [8]. She was forced to close the business permanently after it suffered at least twenty break-ins over a six-month period, with thieves stealing equipment and causing vandalism despite boarded-up windows [8].\n\nIn the media sector, Franklin has served as a host for WAVN The Trend (FM 104/AM 1240), where she appeared weekdays at 10 a.m. to discuss local events and community issues in the Memphis area [5] [6] [9]. She also regularly joined Action News 5\u2019s Digital Desk to highlight upcoming events across the Mid-South, covering topics ranging from housing crises and political forums to cultural celebrations and health expos [3] [4] [7] [11] [12] [13].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Telisa Franklin - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Telisa_Franklin)\n[2] [Endorsements for Telisa Franklin - Tennessee Democratic Party Candidate](https://bluevoterguide.org/TN/candidate_Telisa_Franklin/548370)\n[3] [Digital Desk: Dr. Telisa Franklin highlights events across the Mid-South](https://www.actionnews5.com/2025/07/08/digital-desk-dr-telisa-franklin-highlights-events-across-mid-south/)\n[4] [What\u2019s trending in Memphis with WAVN\u2019s Telisa Franklin](https://www.actionnews5.com/2021/10/19/whats-trending-memphis-with-wavns-telisa-franklin/)\n[5] [WAVN\u2019s Telisa Franklin talks what\u2019s happening in the 901](https://www.actionnews5.com/2023/11/21/wavns-telisa-franklin-talks-whats-happening-901/)\n[6] [WAVN\u2019s Telisa Franklin talks Music for the Masses featuring Tennessee Mass Choir](https://www.actionnews5.com/2023/08/29/wavns-telisa-franklin-talks-music-masses-featuring-tennessee-mass-choir/)\n[7] [Telisa Franklin talks upcoming events in March across the Mid-South](https://www.actionnews5.com/2024/03/19/telisa-franklin-talks-upcoming-events-march-across-mid-south/)\n[8] [Flower shop in Highland Heights closing for good after 20 break-ins](https://wreg.com/news/local/flower-shop-in-highland-heights-closing-for-good-after-20-break-ins/)\n[9] [Telisa Franklin talks what\u2019s happening in the 901](https://www.actionnews5.com/2025/03/11/telisa-franklin-talks-whats-happening-901/)\n[10] [Dr. Telisa Franklin chats with Junior League of Memphis](https://www.actionnews5.com/video/2026/03/17/catching-up-with-dr-telisa-franklin/)\n[11] [Telisa Franklin discusses upcoming events around the city](https://www.actionnews5.com/2026/02/24/telisa-franklin-discusses-upcoming-events-around-city/)\n[12] [Telisa Franklin talks upcoming events in the 901](https://www.actionnews5.com/2025/12/30/telisa-franklin-talks-upcoming-events-901/)\n[13] [Telisa Franklin talks about Memphis mayor, a Women\u2019s Goal Setting Workshop](https://www.actionnews5.com/2024/01/30/telisa-franklin-talks-about-memphis-mayor-womens-goal-setting-workshop/)","campaigns":[{"contest":"tennessee_house_district_96","county":"shelby","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"primary","state":"TN","title":"Tennessee House District 96"},{"contest":"state_representative_district_96","county":"shelby","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Thu, 01 Aug 2024 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"primary","state":"TN","title":"State Representative District 96"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"Telisa","fullname":"Telisa Franklin","lastname":"Franklin","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"tennessee_house_district_96","contest_title":"Tennessee House District 96","county":"shelby","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"state_house_96","office_title":null,"party":"D","pgr":"primary","state":"TN"},{"contest":"state_representative_district_96","contest_title":"State Representative District 96","county":"shelby","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2024-08-01","office_county":null,"office_key":"state_house_96","office_title":null,"party":"Democratic","pgr":"primary","state":"TN"}],"county":null,"cycles":[{"general":null,"party":"D","primary":{"contest":"tennessee_house_district_96","contest_title":"Tennessee House District 96","county":"shelby","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"state_house_96","office_title":null,"party":"D","pgr":"primary","state":"TN"},"term":null,"year":2026},{"general":null,"party":"Democratic","primary":{"contest":"state_representative_district_96","contest_title":"State Representative District 96","county":"shelby","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2024-08-01","office_county":null,"office_key":"state_house_96","office_title":null,"party":"Democratic","pgr":"primary","state":"TN"},"term":null,"year":2024}],"office_key":"state_house_96","office_title":"Tennessee House District 96","state":"TN","terms":[]}],"summary":"Dr. Telisa Franklin is a Democratic candidate for Tennessee House District 96 and former WAVN radio host.","terms":[],"token":"g854LrD13R"}