Jay D. Reedy

Current office and 2026 campaign

Jay Reedy is a Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives representing District 74, having assumed office on November 4, 2014 ¹²⁵. His current term concludes on November 3, 2026 ¹. Reedy is seeking re-election to the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 74 and appears on the ballot in the Republican primary scheduled for August 6, 2026 ¹.

Reedy previously announced a campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives to represent Tennessee's 7th Congressional District, filing paperwork with the Federal Election Commission after the seat was vacated by U.S. Rep. Mark Green ⁸¹⁰. However, he withdrew from that congressional race and will not appear on the ballot for the Republican primary for that seat ¹¹⁰.

Background and education

Jay D. Reedy was born on June 23, 1963 ³. He resides in Erin, Tennessee, and identifies as Christian ⁴. Reedy self-describes as attending the church of Christ in Erin ⁷.

He earned a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Austin Peay State University between 1986 and 1990 ⁴.

Career

Jay Reedy was born on June 23, 1963 ³. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Austin Peay State University between 1986 and 1990 ⁴. Reedy is married to Vickie, a teacher at Houston County High School, and they have three children: Jordan, Emily, and Anna ⁴⁷. The family resides in Erin, Tennessee, and attends the Erin Church of Christ ⁷.

Prior to his legislative service, Reedy served as a commissioner for the Houston County Election Board ⁴⁷. He has also been identified as a farmer ³.

Office history

Jay Reedy served as a commissioner for the Houston County Election Board prior to his election to the state legislature ⁴. He was elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives in 2014 and assumed office on November 4, 2014, representing District 74 ¹³⁵. The district covers parts of Houston, Humphreys, Benton, Stewart, and Henry counties ¹¹. As a state representative, he serves on the Agriculture & Natural Resource Committee, the Education Committee (including its Administration and Instruction subcommittees), and the Government Operations Committee ⁷. He is currently serving his term, which ends on November 3, 2026 ¹.

Reedy ran for election to the U.S. House of Representatives to represent Tennessee's 7th Congressional District in a special election triggered by the vacancy left by U.S. Rep. Mark Green ⁸¹⁰. He filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission and announced his candidacy in July 2025 ¹⁰. However, he withdrew from that race before appearing on the ballot for the Republican primary ¹¹⁰. He is currently running for re-election to the Tennessee House of Representatives in District 74 and appears on the ballot for the Republican primary scheduled for August 6, 2026 ¹.

Legislative record and accomplishments

Representative Jay Reedy serves on the Agriculture & Natural Resource Committee, the Education Committee, and the Government Operations Committee, along with the Education Administration and Education Instruction subcommittees ⁷. He has sponsored legislation targeting municipalities that act as sanctuary cities or counties, specifically HB2315 and SB2332, which sought to penalize such jurisdictions across Tennessee ⁶. Reedy also requested corrections from The Tennessean regarding coverage of this anti-sanctuary city legislation, citing the newspaper’s own principles of ethical conduct ¹².

On social issues, Reedy has supported or sponsored bills including 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. His legislative portfolio also includes 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. Additionally, he has backed SB 1499/HB 1274 (School Protection Act), SB 1736/HB 1689 on single-sex student athletics, SB 2196/HB 2263 (Governor Lee's Pro-Life Bill), and SB 2465/HB 2568 regarding chemical abortion reversal information ⁹. He also supported HJR 17, which acknowledges God as the source of liberties ⁹.

Documented disputes and controversies

Jay Reedy sponsored HB2315, legislation designed to penalize municipalities that acted as sanctuary cities and counties across Tennessee ⁶. The bill sought to impose penalties on local governments that ignored state immigration enforcement, a measure that was passed by the Tennessee General Assembly with overwhelming majorities in both chambers ¹². Following the law's passage, Reedy criticized Memphis, Shelby County, and Davidson County for ignoring the statute, while also criticizing Nashville Mayor John Cooper for leading an "illegal charge" against the policy ⁶.

Reedy requested a correction from The Tennessean’s editor regarding two articles written about his sanctuary city legislation, arguing that the newspaper’s reporting contained "incomplete and misleading information" ¹². In support of his request, Reedy cited the publication's own Principles of Ethical Conduct for Newsrooms, specifically the commitment to seeking and reporting the truth with context and thoroughness ¹².

Reedy announced a candidacy for Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District, which was being vacated by U.S. Rep. Mark Green ⁸. He filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission to enter the race for the seat ¹⁰. However, Reedy later withdrew from the Republican primary for the 7th Congressional District and will not appear on the ballot for that election ¹.

Family

Jay Reedy is married to Vickie Reedy, who works as a teacher at Houston County High School ⁷. The couple has three children: Jordan, Emily, and Anna ⁴. The family attends the Erin Church of Christ ⁷.

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