Chris Todd

Current office and 2026 campaign

Chris Todd is a Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives representing District 73, having assumed office on November 6, 2018 ¹³. His current term concludes on November 3, 2026 ¹. Todd is seeking re-election to represent District 73 in the upcoming general election ¹. He appears on the ballot for the Republican primary scheduled for August 6, 2026 ¹.

During his tenure, Todd has served as Chairman of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, alongside assignments on the Calendar and Rules and Civil Justice Committees ¹⁴. In March 2026, he proposed House Bill 1300 to eliminate daylight saving time in Tennessee and require year-round standard time ¹¹. He has also sponsored legislation expanding protections for children from adult entertainment under the Tennessee Adult Entertainment Act ¹⁰. Todd states that his legislative priorities include promoting efficiency in state government, educating and attracting workers to Madison County, and preserving conservative values ⁴.

Background and education

Chris Todd was born on November 26, 1966 ³. He self-describes as being born and raised in West Tennessee, specifically noting his upbringing in Paris ⁷⁸. His family has a background in agriculture, with his grandfather raising hogs, cattle, beans, and corn ⁷. Todd identifies as Baptist ⁵.

Todd earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Union University between 1985 and 1989 ⁵⁸. He is also a certified hydrologist in the state of Tennessee ⁵.

Career

Chris Todd was born on November 26, 1966, and is a native of West Tennessee ³. He earned a Bachelor of Science in biology from Union University between 1985 and 1989 ⁵. Professionally, Todd is a certified hydrologist in the State of Tennessee ⁵.

Todd founded and operated a local erosion control business for over 27 years, creating numerous jobs in Madison County ⁴⁸. He grew up on a family farm where his grandfather raised hogs, cattle, beans, and corn ⁷. Todd resides in Jackson with his wife, Melissa, and their three children ⁵.

Office history

Chris Todd first ran for the Tennessee House of Representatives in 2018, seeking to represent District 73 as a Republican candidate ⁵. He was elected in that race and assumed office on November 6, 2018, succeeding Jimmy Eldridge ¹³. Following redistricting or subsequent elections, he has continued to represent the 73rd district since January 8, 2019 ³. Members of the Tennessee House of Representatives serve two-year terms and are not subject to term limits ².

Todd was re-elected in 2020 and again in 2022, continuing his service in the state legislature ⁵. He is currently serving a term that ends on November 3, 2026 ¹. In addition to his legislative duties, Todd has served as Chairman of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, as well as a member of the Calendar and Rules Committee, Civil Justice Committee, and Education Instruction Committee ¹⁴⁸.

Todd has also run for other offices. He was a candidate in the 2024 Tennessee State House election for District 73 ⁵. Additionally, he ran for the Tennessee Senate, though specific details regarding the year or outcome of that particular race are not provided in the available sources ⁵.

Legislative record and accomplishments

Chris Todd serves as Chairman of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, a role he holds alongside assignments to the Calendar and Rules Committee, Civil Justice Committee, Education Instruction Committee, Judiciary Committee, and Transportation Committee ¹⁴⁸. He self-describes his legislative priorities as promoting efficiency in state government, educating and attracting workers to fill jobs in Madison County, and preserving conservative values ⁴.

In 2026, Todd proposed House Bill 1300 to eliminate daylight saving time in Tennessee by requiring the observance of standard time year-round, stating that the change would provide consistency and improve health and productivity ¹¹. Previously, he sponsored House Bill 884, which expanded protections for children from adult entertainment by amending the Tennessee Adult Entertainment Act; Todd described the measure as a "common sense step" ¹⁰.

Todd has supported legislation to lower the age requirement to buy or carry a handgun in public from 21 to 18, arguing that the U.S. Constitution supports his position ⁶. His legislative record includes voting for SB 16/HB 1 (Tennessee Sports Gaming Act), SB 364/HB 563 (Business Protection Act), and SB 1257/HB 1029 (Human Life Protection Act) ⁹. He also voted in favor of SB 1297/HB 1151 regarding indecent exposure laws in single-sex restrooms, SB 1304/HB 836 concerning conscience provisions for child-placing agencies, and SB 1373/HB 307 allowing elective religious courses for credit ⁹.

Further notable votes include support for SB 1499/HB 1274 (School Protection Act), SB 1736/HB 1689 (Single-Sex Student Athletics), SB 2196/HB 2263 (Governor Lee's Pro-Life Bill), and SB 2465/HB 2568 (Chemical Abortion Reversal Information) ⁹. Todd also voted for HJR 17, which acknowledges God as the source of liberties ⁹.

Business interests and wealth source

Todd self-describes as a biologist who started and operated a local small business for over 27 years, creating numerous jobs in Madison County ⁴⁸. His family background is rooted in agriculture; his grandfather raised hogs, cattle, beans, and corn ⁷. Todd holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Union University and is a certified hydrologist in the state of Tennessee ³⁵.

Specific details regarding his business ownership stakes, sales of businesses, or family wealth sources are not provided in the available records. While LegiStorm notes that personal financial disclosures have been added to its database for Todd, the specific contents of those disclosures are not included in the source material ¹².

Family

Todd is married to Melissa, and they have three children ⁵. His family has a background in agriculture; his grandfather raised hogs, cattle, beans, and corn ⁷. Todd self-describes as Baptist ⁵.

Sources