{"age":71,"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nSteve Southerland is a Republican member of the Tennessee State Senate representing District 9, which encompasses Cocke County, Greene County, Hamblen County, and parts of Jefferson County [5]. He assumed office on November 8, 2022, after previously serving in the Senate from 2003 to 2022 [1][5]. His current term is scheduled to end on November 3, 2026 [1].\n\nSoutherland is seeking re-election to the Tennessee State Senate for District 9 as a Republican candidate [1][7]. He is listed on the ballot for the Republican primary election scheduled for August 6, 2026 [1]. As of May 2026, the outcome of this upcoming election remains unknown [1].\n\n## Background and education\n\nSteve Southerland was born on March 8, 1955, in Morristown, Tennessee [3][5][7]. He is a Baptist who attends Buffalo Trail Baptist Church [3][7]. Southerland attended Walters State Community College [3][5][7].\n\n## Career\n\nBefore entering public office, Steve Southerland worked as a mortgage broker[1]. He is also a licensed real estate broker and the principal owner of Southerland Real Estate[13]. Southerland attended Walters State Community College[3].\n\nSoutherland has served on the Tennessee Council for Career and Technical Education. He was first appointed to the council in 2018, with his term effective until June 30, 2019[11]. He was subsequently reappointed by Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally, with a term continuing through June 30, 2027[14].\n\n## Office history\n\nSteve Southerland served in the Tennessee Senate from January 14, 2003, to November 7, 2022, representing the 1st district [5]. During this tenure, he held leadership roles including Senate Deputy Speaker and Chaplain of the Senate Republican Caucus [3]. He also chaired the Senate Energy and Environment Committee and served as Vice Chair of the Senate Transportation and Safety Committee [3]. In 2018, he was appointed to the Tennessee Council for Career and Technical Education by Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, with his term effective until June 30, 2019 [11].\n\nSoutherland assumed office in the Tennessee State Senate representing District 9 on November 8, 2022, following a victory in the 2022 election [1]. His current term is scheduled to end on November 3, 2026 [1]. He serves as Vice Chair of the Commerce and Labor Committee [7].\n\nPrior to his legislative career, Southerland worked as a mortgage broker [1]. In 2014, he ran for Florida's 2nd Congressional District as an incumbent Republican but lost the general election to Democrat Gwen Graham, receiving 49.3% of the vote [2].\n\n## Legislative record and accomplishments\n\nSteve Southerland has served in the Tennessee State Senate since 2003, representing District 1 from 2003 to 2023 and District 9 since 2023 [5]. He assumed his current term on November 8, 2022, following a victory in the general election that year [1]. During his tenure, he has held significant leadership roles, including serving as Senate Deputy Speaker and Chaplain of the Senate Republican Caucus [3].\n\nSoutherland\u2019s committee assignments have shifted with redistricting and chamber leadership changes. In the 2023-2024 session, he was assigned to the Commerce and Labor Committee [1]. Previously, he served as Vice Chair of the Senate Transportation and Safety Committee and Chair of the Senate Energy and Environment Committee [3]. He also held the position of Second Vice Chair of the Commerce and Labor Committee in earlier years [7].\n\nIn terms of legislative priorities, Southerland has been a consistent supporter of pro-life legislation. The Family Action Council of Tennessee awarded him a perfect score on its 2020 Legislative Scorecard, citing his support for bills such as SB 16/HB 1 (Tennessee Sports Gaming Act), SB 1257/HB 1029 (Human Life Protection Act), and SB 2196/HB 2263 (Governor Lee's Pro-Life Bill) [10]. He has also supported measures related to conscience provisions for child-placing agencies and prohibitions on abortion advocacy in schools [10].\n\nSoutherland has advocated for workforce development, notably being appointed by Lt. Gov. Randy McNally to serve on the Tennessee Council for Career and Technical Education [11]. This council was established to advocate for quality programs that prepare students for postsecondary education and careers [11]. Additionally, he has supported legislation aimed at improving recycling markets, including bills that boost the state's role in connecting recycling programs with private buyers [8].\n\nSoutherland is currently running for re-election to represent District 9 in the Republican primary scheduled for August 6, 2026 [1]. As of May 2026, this election has not yet occurred, and its outcome remains unknown [1].\n\n## Business interests and wealth source\n\nSteve Southerland\u2019s professional background includes work as a mortgage broker [1]. He self-describes his career experience in this field prior to and during his time in public office [3].\n\nSoutherland resides in Morristown, Tennessee, where he maintains a personal address at 4648 Harbor Drive [4][6]. His financial disclosures are tracked by LegiStorm, which notes the addition of thirty-five new personal financial disclosures for him in its database updates [9]. Specific details regarding his business ownership stakes, family wealth sources, or significant sales of businesses are not provided in the available records.\n\n## Family\n\nSteve Southerland is married to Cheri[3][5][7]. The couple has two children, Mattea and Mara[5][12]. While some sources list only one child, Mattea[3][7], other records confirm the existence of both daughters[5][12].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Steve Southerland (Tennessee) - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Steve_Southerland_(Tennessee))\n[2] [Florida's 2nd Congressional District elections, 2014 - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Florida's_2nd_Congressional_District_elections,_2014)\n[3] [Senator Steve Southerland - Tennessee General Assembly](https://www.capitol.tn.gov/senate/archives/107GA/members/s1.html)\n[4] [Senator Steve Southerland](https://www.capitol.tn.gov//senate/archives/110GA/members/s1.html)\n[5] [Steve Southerland (Tennessee politician) - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Southerland_(Tennessee_politician))\n[6] [Vote-USA | Steve Southerland | Currently Elected State Senator District 9, Tennessee](https://vote-usa.org/Intro.aspx?State=TN&Id=TNSoutherlandSteve)\n[7] [Vote Smart | Facts For All](https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/biography/48766/steve-southerland)\n[8] [Sen. Steve Southerland Archives \u2022 Tennessee Lookout](https://tennesseelookout.com/tag/sen-steve-southerland/)\n[9] [Tennessee State Sen. Steve Southerland - Biography | LegiStorm](https://www.legistorm.com/person/bio/194750/Steve_Southerland.html)\n[10] [Sen. Steve Southerland - Family Action Council of Tennessee](https://scorecard.factennessee.org/senators/steve-southerland)\n[11] [Southerland appointed to council for Career and Technical Education | Local News | citizentribune.com](https://www.citizentribune.com/news/local/southerland-appointed-to-council-for-career-and-technical-education/article_482c30ac-02b8-11e8-a36a-63b9baee585a.html)\n[12] [Steve Southerland (Tennessee politician) - WikiMili, The Best Wikipedia Reader](https://wikimili.com/en/Steve_Southerland_(Tennessee_politician))\n[13] [Steve Southerland | Southerland Real Estate](https://southerlandre.com/about-us/steve-southerland-2/)\n[14] [Sen. Southerland reappointed to Tennessee Council for Career and Technical Education | News | themountainpress.com](https://www.themountainpress.com/news/sen-southerland-reappointed-to-tennessee-council-for-career-and-technical-education/article_ffe2cabe-571c-5652-b84d-54eb46882a17.html)","birthdate":"Tue, 08 Mar 1955 00:00:00 GMT","campaigns":[{"contest":"state_senate_009","county":"Cocke","county_count":5,"electiondate":"Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"primary","state":"TN","title":"TN Senate District 9"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"Steve","fullname":"Steve Southerland","lastname":"Southerland","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"state_senate_009","contest_title":"TN Senate District 9","county":"Cocke","county_count":5,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"state_senate_009","office_title":"State Senate District 9","party":"R","pgr":"primary","state":"TN"}],"county":null,"cycles":[{"general":null,"party":"R","primary":{"contest":"state_senate_009","contest_title":"TN Senate District 9","county":"Cocke","county_count":5,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"state_senate_009","office_title":"State Senate District 9","party":"R","pgr":"primary","state":"TN"},"term":null,"year":2026},{"general":null,"party":"R","primary":null,"term":{"county":null,"electiondate":"2022-11-08","office_county":null,"office_key":"state_senate_009","office_title":"State Senate District 9","party":"R","state":"tn","term_end":"2026-11-03","term_start":"2022-11-08"},"year":2022}],"office_key":"state_senate_009","office_title":"State Senate District 9","state":"TN","terms":[{"county":null,"electiondate":"2022-11-08","office_county":null,"office_key":"state_senate_009","office_title":"State Senate District 9","party":"R","state":"tn","term_end":"2026-11-03","term_start":"2022-11-08"}]}],"summary":"Steve Southerland is a Republican Tennessee State Senator representing District 9 since 2022, previously serving in the Florida House and U.S. House.","terms":[{"county":null,"electiondate":"2022-11-08","office":"state_senate_009","state":"tn","term_end":"2026-11-03","term_start":"2022-11-08","title":"State Senate District 9"}],"token":"xxLWSBzieo"}