Michael Hale

Current office and 2026 campaign

Michael Hale serves as a Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 40, having assumed office on November 8, 2023 ¹³. His current term is scheduled to end on November 3, 2026 ¹⁸. In the upcoming 2026 election cycle, Hale is seeking re-election to represent District 40 in the Tennessee House of Representatives ¹⁸. He is listed as a candidate on the ballot for the Republican primary scheduled for August 6, 2026 ¹.

During the 114th General Assembly's second session, which reconvened in January 2026, Hale participated in legislative activities focused on fiscal conservatism and budget approval ⁷. He serves as the Chairman of the TennCare Subcommittee and holds membership on the Banking & Consumer Affairs Subcommittee, Commerce Committee, Finance, Ways and Means Committee, and Insurance Committee ⁶. In April 2026, Hale joined House and Senate Republican leaders in reviewing an interim forensic audit of Memphis-Shelby County Schools that identified significant operational deficiencies ¹⁰. He also supported the passage of Matthew Davenport’s Law (House Bill 1649) in April 2026, which bans the use and distribution of kratom ¹³.

Hale self-describes as a conservative leader for Cannon, DeKalb, Jackson, Smith, and Wilson Counties, emphasizing principles of faith, family, and freedom ⁴. He is a small business owner who established DeKalb Funeral Chapel in 1999 after graduating from John A. Gupton Mortuary College ¹⁵. Hale has received a 90% lifetime rating from CPAC ¹¹.

Background and education

Michael Hale was born on July 17, 1974, in DeKalb County, Tennessee ³. He was born and raised in the county, where his family moved from the community of Gassaway to Liberty when he was 10 years old ⁵⁶. Hale self-describes as having grown up on a family farm, working with local farmers by hauling hay and laboring in tobacco fields ⁵. He began working at Prichard’s Grocery at age 11 and started working at a funeral home at age 14 ⁵⁶.

Hale graduated from DeKalb County High School ¹³⁵. He subsequently earned an associate degree from John A. Gupton Mortuary College ¹³.

Career

Michael Hale was born and raised in DeKalb County, Tennessee, where his family moved from Gassaway to Liberty when he was ten years old ⁵. He attended DeKalb County High School before earning an associate degree from John A. Gupton Mortuary College ¹³.

Hale’s early work experience began at age 11 with a job at Prichard’s Grocery, where he learned the value of hard work ⁵⁶. At age 14, he began working at a funeral home and also worked on the family farm, hauling hay and working in tobacco fields ⁵⁶. In 1999, after completing his education, Hale opened DeKalb Funeral Chapel in DeKalb County ⁵. He self-describes as a small business owner who built his funeral business from the ground up ⁴.

Office history

Michael Hale has held only one elected office to date. He assumed office as a Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 40 on November 8, 2022 ¹³. The district covers Cannon, DeKalb, Jackson, Smith, and Wilson Counties ⁴. Under Tennessee law, state representatives serve two-year terms without term limits, with members assuming office on the day they are elected in the general election ². Hale’s current term is scheduled to end on November 3, 2026 ¹⁸.

In the chamber, Hale serves as Chairman of the TennCare Subcommittee and holds membership on the Banking & Consumer Affairs Subcommittee, Commerce Committee, Finance, Ways, and Means Committee, and Insurance Committee ⁶. His legislative responsibilities include participating in budget reviews and committee hearings, such as those involving fiscal year 2025-26 supplemental budgets and forensic audits of school districts during the 114th General Assembly ⁷¹⁰¹².

Regarding prior electoral history, the provided sources do not document any previous elected or appointed offices held by Hale, nor do they list specific prior races run but lost. The sources indicate he is currently running for re-election to the Tennessee House of Representatives in the Republican primary scheduled for August 6, 2026 ¹⁸.

Legislative record and accomplishments

Representative Michael Hale serves on several key committees within the Tennessee House, including the Commerce Committee, the Insurance Committee, and the Finance, Ways, and Means Committee ⁶. He also holds the position of Chairman for the TennCare Subcommittee ⁶. His legislative voting record reflects a conservative alignment; he holds a 70% Vote Score and an 83% Lifetime Score from the Tennessee Legislative Research Council (TLRC) ⁹. Additionally, Hale has received a 90% lifetime rating from CPAC ¹¹.

During the 2026 legislative session, Hale participated in efforts to address fiscal conservatism and government oversight. He attended House Finance, Ways and Means Committee meetings to review agency performance and financial status as part of the Republican priority to approve a fiscally conservative spending plan ⁷. In March 2026, he was briefed on Governor Bill Lee’s proposed supplemental budget amendment, which included funding for infrastructure, health services, and grants to faith-based nonprofits ¹².

Hale supported House Bill 1649, known as Matthew Davenport’s Law, which bans the use, sale, and distribution of kratom ¹³. The legislation, sponsored by State Rep. Esther Helton-Haynes, establishes criminal penalties for offenders and aims to protect the public from the substance ¹³. He also joined House and Senate Republican leaders in reviewing an interim forensic audit of Memphis-Shelby County Schools that identified widespread operational deficiencies and internal control weaknesses between fiscal years 2022 and 2024 ¹⁰.

Hale self-describes his legislative approach as guided by the principles of faith, family, and freedom ⁴. He emphasizes his background as a small business owner who built his funeral business from the ground up in DeKalb County, stating that this experience provides him with a heart for service and unwavering conservative values ⁴.

Business interests and wealth source

Michael Hale is a small business owner who founded DeKalb Funeral Chapel in 1999 ⁵. He states that he built his funeral business from the ground up in DeKalb County and has always had a heart for service ⁴. Hale’s entry into the industry began at age 14 when he started working at a funeral home, following an earlier work history that included employment at Prichard’s Grocery starting at age 11 ⁵. He earned an associate degree from John A. Gupton Mortuary College prior to opening his business ¹.

Specific details regarding the current ownership structure of DeKalb Funeral Chapel, any sales of the business, or specific financial disclosure figures are not provided in the available sources ¹⁴⁵. While Hale serves on the House Finance, Ways and Means Committee, which reviews the financial status of state agencies, no further personal wealth source information is detailed in the provided texts ⁶¹².

Family

Michael Hale was born in DeKalb County, Tennessee, and raised there before his family moved from Gassaway to Liberty when he was 10 years old ⁵⁶. He is married to Tara Webb and they have three children ³. His campaign materials emphasize that his decisions are guided by principles of faith, family, and freedom ⁴.

Sources