Kip Capley

Current office and 2026 campaign

Kip Capley is a Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives representing District 71 ¹. He assumed office on November 8, 2022, following his victory in the 2022 general election ¹. As of 2023, he was noted as the youngest member of the State House ³. His current term is scheduled to end on November 3, 2026 ¹.

Capley is seeking re-election to the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 71 in the 2026 cycle ¹. He is listed on the ballot for the Republican primary election scheduled for August 6, 2026 ¹. The general election for this seat has not yet occurred as of May 11, 2026, and its outcome remains unknown.

Capley’s campaign website describes him as a seventh-generation Tennessean with conservative values who advocates for lowering taxes to reduce inflation burdens on families and protecting small businesses ⁴. He states that he will work to reduce healthcare costs and ensure access to care ⁴. The candidate has received endorsements, including support from Chief Beecham, whom he praised for his grace and respect as a civil servant ⁵.

Background and education

Kip Capley was born on March 18, 1997, in Tennessee ³¹². He is a seventh-generation Tennessean who was born and raised in Middle Tennessee ⁴⁷. Capley self-describes as having been raised with Christian and conservative values, noting that his family took important decisions to God in prayer ⁵. He is a member of Mars Hill Baptist Church in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee ⁷.

Capley earned a Bachelor of Science in history and political science from Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro in 2019 ¹³⁶⁷. He subsequently received a Master of Business Administration and Healthcare Administration from Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville in 2021 ¹³⁶⁷.

Career

Kip Capley earned a Bachelor of Science in political science and history from Middle Tennessee State University in 2019 ¹³⁶. He subsequently obtained a Master of Business Administration in healthcare management from Trevecca Nazarene University in 2021 ¹³⁶.

Capley identifies as a business owner and part-time minister, stating that he is not a career politician but has volunteered his time in service ¹⁴. He is a seventh-generation Tennessean born and raised in Middle Tennessee ⁴⁷. Capley is a member of Mars Hill Baptist Church in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee ⁷.

Regarding military service and affiliations, sources do not list specific prior military service for Capley ⁶. He holds associate membership with the Tennessee Firearms Association and Friends of the NRA, and he was a founding member of the Turning Point USA chapter at Middle Tennessee State University and the National Rifle Association chapter there ⁶. He also volunteers with Operation Christmas Child ⁶.

Office history

Kip Capley first held elected office when he won the Republican primary and general election for Tennessee House District 71 in 2022 ¹³¹⁴. He assumed office on November 8, 2022, succeeding David Byrd, who did not seek re-election ³¹³. As a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives, Capley serves two-year terms without term limits ². His district covers portions of Hardin, Maury, Wayne, and Lawrence counties ⁴. During his tenure, he has served as Secretary for the Tennessee House Republican Caucus ⁷ and holds membership on the Finance, Ways, and Means Committee; the Health Subcommittee; and the Private Acts Committee ⁷.

Capley is currently serving his second term, which ends on November 3, 2026 ¹. He is a candidate for re-election in the Republican primary scheduled for August 6, 2026 ¹.

Legislative record and accomplishments

Representative Kip Capley serves as Secretary of the Tennessee House Republican Caucus ⁷. His committee assignments include the Finance, Ways, and Means Committee, where he also serves on the Health Subcommittee, as well as the Private Acts Committee ⁷.

Capley has voted in support of legislation to ban state and local government entities from enforcing or recognizing mandates from international organizations such as the World Health Organization, the United Nations, and the World Economic Forum (SB263) ¹¹. He also supported SB207, which created a $25 million Farmland Preservation Fund managed by the Department of Agriculture ¹¹. Additionally, Capley voted for HB1237, which ended the ability of state regulatory and health agencies to require race-based membership ¹¹.

Capley self-describes his legislative priorities as lowering taxes to reduce inflation burdens on families, protecting small businesses and entrepreneurs, and reducing healthcare costs to ensure access to care ⁴. He has received a lifetime vote score of 89 from the Tennessee Legislative Report Card (TLRC) ⁸.

Business interests and wealth source

Capley’s professional background includes an MBA in healthcare management from Trevecca Nazarene University and a B.S. in political science and history from Middle Tennessee State University ¹³. He self-describes as a business owner and part-time minister ¹⁴. His campaign materials state that he advocates for protecting small businesses and entrepreneurs while working to reduce healthcare costs ⁴.

Capley does not provide specific details regarding his current employment, ownership stakes, or the sources of his personal wealth in available biographical profiles ⁶¹⁰. He is identified as a resident of Summertown, Tennessee ⁸. As of 2023, he was noted as the youngest member of the State House ³.

Family

Capley is a seventh-generation Tennessean who was born and raised in Middle Tennessee ⁴⁷. He states that he was raised with Christian and conservative values, noting that his family took important decisions to God in prayer ⁵. As of 2023, Capley is the youngest member of the State House ³⁹.

The provided sources do not contain information regarding Capley's spouse, children, or other family members in politics.

Sources