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Lowell Russell
born 1975-08-25 (Age 50)
Office history
Current office and 2026 campaign
Lowell Russell is a Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives representing District 21, which encompasses parts of Loudon County and Monroe County 3. He assumed office on November 6, 2018, succeeding Jimmy Matlock 12. His current term is scheduled to end on November 3, 2026 1. Russell serves as the chair of the Civil Justice Subcommittee within the Tennessee House Republican Caucus 57.
Russell is seeking re-election to represent District 21 in the 2026 general election 1. He has secured his party's nomination and appears on the ballot for the Republican primary, which is scheduled to be held on August 6, 2026 1. As of May 2026, the outcome of this upcoming election remains unknown.
Background and education
Lowell Russell was born on August 25, 1975, in Maryville, Tennessee 3. He is the son of Larry Rex Russell 3. Russell identifies as a Christian and self-describes as Baptist, attending First Baptist of Madisonville 7.
Russell earned an Associate of Science degree in criminal justice from Roane State Community College 7. His professional training includes attendance at the Tennessee Highway Patrol Academy, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Academy, and the Basic Police Academy in Cleveland 7.
Career
Lowell Russell served as a Tennessee State Trooper for 14 years before entering politics 4. His tenure with the Tennessee Highway Patrol spanned from 1998 until 2012 5. During his service, he survived a near-fatal car crash 5. He completed training at the Tennessee Highway Patrol Academy and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Academy 7.
Russell holds an Associate of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Roane State Community College 7. He also attended the Basic Police Academy in Cleveland 7.
Office history
Lowell Russell served as a Tennessee State Trooper for 14 years before entering elected office 4. He was first elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives in November 2018, succeeding Jimmy Matlock 35. Russell assumed office on January 8, 2019, representing District 21, which encompasses parts of Loudon County and Monroe County 35. He was reelected to the Tennessee House in November 2020 5.
Russell is currently serving his third term in the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 21 1. His current term ends on November 3, 2026 1. During his tenure, he has held various committee assignments, including service on the Ethics Committee, Judiciary Committee, and Transportation Committee 7. He also serves as the chair of the Civil Justice Subcommittee 57.
Russell is running for re-election to the Tennessee House of Representatives in the Republican primary scheduled for August 6, 2026 1.
Legislative record and accomplishments
Lowell Russell has served in the Tennessee House of Representatives since January 8, 2019, succeeding Jimmy Matlock 3. He represents District 21, which encompasses parts of Loudon County and Monroe County 3. As a member of the Republican Party, Russell self-describes as a conservative who supports public safety, a strong economy, small government, the Second Amendment, and pro-life policies 4.
Russellβs committee assignments have evolved during his tenure. During the 2019β2020 term, he served on several committees 1. In the 2021β2022 term, he was assigned to additional panels 1. By the 2023β2024 term, he continued to serve on multiple committees, including the Civil Justice Subcommittee, where he serves as chair, as well as the Criminal Justice Subcommittee, Ethics Committee, Judiciary Committee, Transportation Committee, and Transportation Subcommittee 7.
Legislatively, Russell has supported measures aligned with his stated policy positions. According to the Family Action Council of Tennesseeβs 2020 scorecard, he voted in favor of SB 16/HB 1 (the Tennessee Sports Gaming Act), SB 364/HB 563 (the Business Protection Act), and SB 1257/HB 1029 (the Human Life Protection Act) 6. He also supported 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 6.
Further legislative actions supported by Russell include SB 1499/HB 1274 (the School Protection Act), SB 1736/HB 1689 regarding single-sex student athletics, and SB 2196/HB 2263 (Governor Lee's Pro-Life Bill) 6. He also voted for HJR 17, which acknowledges God as the source of liberties 6.
Family
Lowell Russell is single 7. He is a Baptist who attends First Baptist of Madisonville 7.
Sources
Public filings
Candidates and officeholders are required by law to file campaign finance reports and statements of economic interest. The sites below don't support direct links to an individual record β search by last name on each.
Tennessee β campaign finance (search)
- State offices (Governor, US Senate, US Rep, TN Senate, TN House, State Executive Committee) β Tennessee Registry of Election Finance. Click Search for Candidates and PACs, enter last name “Russell”, and submit.
- County and municipal offices (County Mayor, Commissioner, Sheriff, School Board, court clerks, municipal alderman, etc.) β most major TN counties use the EasyVote portal. Select the relevant county and search by candidate name (“Russell”).
Tennessee β statement of interest
- Required for state and local officials and candidates β Tennessee Ethics Commission Conflict of Interest Search. Enter last name “Russell”and, if needed, select the applicable position.