Terri R. Nicholson

Current office and 2026 campaign

Terri Nicholson currently serves as a State Executive Committeewoman for District 17 on the Tennessee Republican Party executive committee ¹. In the 2026 election cycle, she is running for re-election to this position, seeking to represent Wilson, Smith, Macon, DeKalb, Clay, and Cannon counties ¹. Nicholson states that her campaign focuses on bringing fiscal responsibility, community involvement, and transparency to voters ¹.

Prior to this current bid, Nicholson served as the chairman of the Wilson County Republican Party and previously held the role of treasurer for the executive committee ¹. During her tenure as party chair, she engaged in local political disputes, including requesting a formal reprimand of State Representative Susan Lynn following an incident at the annual county fair ⁵. She also publicly opposed Governor Bill Lee’s decision to bring more refugees to Tennessee, asking the Wilson County Commission to pass a resolution against the move ⁴.

Nicholson previously sought elected office in Wilson County District 18 for the County Commission as a Republican candidate ³. In that race, she challenged incumbent Lauren Breeze, who ran as an Independent ³. Nicholson lost the election, receiving 435 votes to Breeze’s 461 ². Following that loss, Nicholson returned to her role on the state party executive committee ².

Background and education

Terri Nicholson is a resident of Wilson County, Tennessee ¹. She serves as the chairman of the Wilson County Republican Party and is a member of the State Republican Executive Committee for District 17, which encompasses Wilson, Smith, Macon, DeKalb, Clay, and Cannon counties ¹. In her political career, she has previously served as the treasurer of the executive committee ¹.

Specific details regarding Nicholson’s birthplace, year of birth, upbringing, religious affiliation, or formal educational background are not provided in the available source material.

Career

Nicholson has served as chairman of the Wilson County Republican Party and previously held the position of treasurer for the executive committee ¹. In her capacity as party leadership, she has advocated for fiscal responsibility, community involvement, and transparency among voters ¹. She also sent a letter to State GOP Chairman Scott Golden requesting a formal reprimand of State Representative Susan Lynn following an incident at the annual county fair, stating that she was "deeply troubled" by the representative's conduct ⁵.

In January 2020, Nicholson appeared on The Tennessee Star Report to discuss legalities regarding refugee resettlement and criticized Governor Lee for not consulting with the General Assembly or local officials regarding his decisions ⁴. She has also asked the County Commission to pass a resolution opposing the governor's decision to bring more refugees to Tennessee ⁴.

Nicholson ran as a Republican candidate for Wilson County Commission District 18 against incumbent Lauren Breeze, who was running as an Independent ³. Nicholson stated that she supported full transparency, fiscal responsibility including low taxes and limited government, and constitutional freedoms in her campaign ³. Incumbent Lauren Breeze retained the seat, defeating Nicholson with 461 votes to 435 ².

Office history

Nicholson served as the chairman of the Wilson County Republican Party ⁴. During her tenure, she sent a letter to State GOP Chairman Scott Golden requesting a formal reprimand of State Representative Susan Lynn following an incident at the annual county fair ⁵. She also publicly opposed Governor Lee’s decision to bring more refugees to Tennessee, asking the Wilson County Commission to pass a resolution against the move ⁴.

Nicholson was elected as a member of the Tennessee Republican Party State Executive Committee for District 17, which encompasses Wilson, Smith, Macon, DeKalb, Clay, and Cannon counties ¹. As a member, she previously served as treasurer of the executive committee ¹. She states that her goal in this role is to bring fiscal responsibility, community involvement, and transparency to voters ¹.

Nicholson ran for Wilson County Commission District 18 as a Republican against incumbent Independent Lauren Breeze ³. In that race, Nicholson lost, receiving 435 votes to Breeze’s 461 ².

Legislative record and accomplishments

As a member of the Tennessee Republican Party State Executive Committee, Nicholson has focused on party governance and fiscal conservatism ¹. She previously served as chairman of the Wilson County Republican Party and former treasurer of the executive committee ¹. In these roles, she self-describes as bringing years of conservative leadership to promote fiscal responsibility, community involvement, and transparency for voters ¹.

Nicholson has taken public policy positions on state-level issues, including opposing Governor Bill Lee’s decision to accept more refugees in Tennessee. She argued that such decisions should be left to state and local governments rather than the executive branch, noting that Lee did not consult with the General Assembly or local officials ⁴. Additionally, as Wilson County GOP Chairman, she sent a letter to State GOP Chairman Scott Golden requesting an immediate formal reprimand of State Representative Susan Lynn following an incident at the county fair, demanding an apology and assurances against unprofessional behavior ⁵.

Regarding legislative records, available sources do not cite specific bills sponsored or votes cast by Nicholson in the Tennessee General Assembly. Her documented political activities are limited to her service within the Republican Party structure and her candidacy for Wilson County Commission District 18, where she lost to incumbent Lauren Breeze ².

Documented disputes and controversies

In January 2020, Nicholson asked the Wilson County Commission to pass a resolution opposing Governor Bill Lee’s decision to bring more refugees to Tennessee ⁴. During an appearance on The Tennessee Star Report, Nicholson outlined her view that the state and local government should have authority over such decisions, noting that Lee did not consult with the Tennessee General Assembly or local officials when making his determination ⁴.

Nicholson engaged in a public dispute with State Representative Susan Lynn (R-Mt. Juliet) following an incident between Lynn and Wilson County Republican Party volunteers at the annual county fair ⁵. Nicholson sent a letter signed “Deeply troubled” to State GOP Chairman Scott Golden, requesting that an immediate formal reprimand be issued to Lynn ⁵. The letter further requested that Lynn provide a formal apology to the party along with an agreement that she and her husband would not behave unprofessionally or disrespectfully toward WCRP members in the future ⁵.

Nicholson ran for Wilson County Commission District 18 against incumbent Lauren Breeze, who was running as an Independent ³. Nicholson stated she was running as a Republican because she supports full transparency, fiscal responsibility including low taxes and limited government, and constitutional freedoms ³. Breeze retained her seat, defeating Nicholson by 461 votes to 435 ².

Sources