{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"Monica Mowdy","chatgptsummary":"Monica Mowdy's biography shows nearly thirty years of Tennessee residency and two decades in ministry and education, demonstrating local ties and community engagement relevant to constituent understanding. Her background includes teacher training and church leadership, which may support persuasion skills, though the record does not detail legislative drafting or coalition-building experience. The biography documents no controversies or disciplinary records. Bio does not indicate prior elected office experience or specific policy expertise in infrastructure or healthcare.","notes":null,"party":"D","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nMonica Mowdy is a Democratic candidate running for election to the Tennessee House of Representatives to represent District 25 [1]. She is on the ballot in the Democratic primary scheduled for August 6, 2026, with the general election set for November 3, 2026 [1].\n\nMowdy self-describes as a Tennessean for nearly 30 years and a Cumberland County neighbor who previously worked as a public school teacher and teacher trainer before becoming an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church [3]. She currently serves as the church planter of The Wellspring, part of the Upper Cumberland Branch of the Vine UMC in Crossville, and is a member of the Commission on Church and Society for the TWKUMC Conference [7]. Her campaign emphasizes her experience in education, ministry, and advocacy, stating that she is running because residents deserve a representative who listens and fights for them daily [3].\n\nThe candidate maintains an active campaign presence through her website, electmonica.com, where supporters can donate via ActBlue [4]. Campaign communications are handled through the email address mowdytn25@gmail.com or by phone at 931-248-9989 [2].\n\n## Background and education\n\nMonica Mowdy is a native of Oklahoma who grew up in the state, where she watched storms and tornadoes during her youth [5]. She has lived in Tennessee for nearly 30 years and is a neighbor of Cumberland County [3]. Her religious affiliation is with the United Methodist Church, where she serves as an ordained elder [7]. Mowdy states that she was not born into the United Methodist faith; her early church exposure ended after her mother married a Roman Catholic, leading her to seek a church community as an adult at age 23 while living in Oklahoma [6].\n\nMowdy graduated from Oklahoma State University with degrees in Child Development and Early Care and Education [7]. Her professional background includes work in public school teaching, teacher training, and ministry roles spanning 20 years [3]. She previously worked in early childhood education and with childcare centers before becoming the Pastor of Carthage United Methodist Church and later serving as the church planter of The Wellspring in Crossville [5][7].\n\n## Career\n\nMonica Mowdy is a native of Oklahoma who graduated from Oklahoma State University with degrees in Child Development and Early Care and Education [7]. She originally pursued a career in early childhood education before working with childcare centers and families [5]. Mowdy later became a teacher, noting that she was a \"brand new teacher\" while living in a small town in Oklahoma at age 23 [6].\n\nMowdy has served as an ordained elder of the United Methodist Church for approximately 20 years [7]. Her ministry work includes serving as the Pastor of Carthage United Methodist Church and currently acting as the church planter of The Wellspring, which is part of The Upper Cumberland Branch of the Vine UMC in Crossville [7]. She is also a member of the Commission on Church and Society for the Tennessee West Kentucky Conference of the United Methodist Church (TWKUMC) [7].\n\n## Office history\n\nMonica Mowdy has not previously held elected or appointed public office [1]. She is currently running for election to the Tennessee House of Representatives to represent District 25 in the Democratic primary scheduled for August 6, 2026 [1]. The general election for this seat is set for November 3, 2026 [1].\n\nPrior to her current campaign, Mowdy\u2019s professional career has been focused on education and ministry rather than political office. She originally worked in early childhood education before transitioning to roles with childcare centers and families [5]. She later became a public school teacher and teacher trainer [3]. In 2006, she graduated from Oklahoma State University with degrees in Child Development and Early Care and Education [7].\n\nMowdy has spent approximately 20 years serving in various ministry settings within the United Methodist Church [7]. She is an ordained elder who previously served as the Pastor of Carthage United Methodist Church [5][7]. As of the time of her campaign launch, she serves as the church planter of The Wellspring, part of the Upper Cumberland Branch of the Vine UMC in Crossville [7]. She is also a member of the Commission on Church and Society for the Tennessee West Kentucky United Methodist Conference (TWKUMC) [7].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Monica Mowdy](https://ballotpedia.org/Monica_Mowdy)\n[2] [Contact | Monica Mowdy for TN House District 25](https://www.electmonica.com/contact.html)\n[3] [Monica Mowdy for Tennessee House District 25 | For You. For ...](https://www.electmonica.com/)\n[4] [Donate to Monica Mowdy!](https://secure.actblue.com/donate/monica-mowdy-25)\n[5] [The Calling, 14 Jul Meet Monica Mowdy \u00b7 News Talk 94.1 - iono.fm](https://iono.fm/e/717297)\n[6] [Staying in the UMC | Monica Mowdy - TWKUMC](https://twkumc.org/news/staying-in-the-umc-monica-mowdy/)\n[7] [Rev. Monica Mowdy | Profile](https://www.thevineumc.church/profile/7910c4d7-2229-454c-8eb2-3d0f7512179a/profile)","firstname":"Monica","lastname":"Mowdy","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"SGNfVMjYil"},"token":"monica_mowdy"},{"candidatename":"Cameron Sexton","chatgptsummary":"Cameron Sexton's biography shows extensive legislative craft and coalition-building experience as a long-serving Tennessee House member and current Speaker, including drafting statutes on gaming and education while managing partisan leadership roles. Records document controversies involving his review of criminal cases by a Shelby County judge, exploration of impeachment against a district attorney, and proposals to take over a local school system. Bio does not indicate prior executive management experience or direct constituent service outside the legislature.","notes":null,"party":"R","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nCameron Sexton is a Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives representing District 25, which includes Cumberland and Van Buren Counties, as well as the City of Monterey in Putnam County[3]. He assumed office on January 11, 2011, and his current term ends on November 3, 2026[1][4]. Sexton also serves as the Speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives, a position he was first elected to on August 23, 2019, after replacing Glen Casada[1][3]. He has been reelected to continue serving in this leadership role[3].\n\nSexton is running for reelection in the 2026 Republican primary for Tennessee House District 25[5]. As of May 2026, he remains an active legislator and party leader, having previously initiated reviews of judicial conduct and explored impeachment proceedings against local officials during his tenure as Speaker[6][7]. He has also advocated for state intervention in local school systems, such as proposing a takeover of Memphis-Shelby County Schools following the dismissal of its superintendent[8]. Sexton self-describes as a pragmatic conservative and an eighth-generation Tennessean[3].\n\n## Background and education\n\nCameron Allen Sexton was born on November 11, 1970, in Lake City, Tennessee, which is located in Scott County [1][4][9]. He spent his childhood and early teenage years in Farragut, a suburb west of Knoxville, where his family resided during that period [9]. Sexton grew up as the son of two educators; his father, Dwight Sexton, taught chemistry and biology at Farragut High School in the early 1980s, while his mother also worked as a teacher [9]. He was raised in a Baptist household [9][5].\n\nSexton attended the University of Tennessee, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Administration between 1989 and 1994 [1][5].\n\n## Career\n\nCameron Sexton received a degree in Public Administration from the University of Tennessee in 1994 [1][2]. Prior to his entry into elected office, he worked at Cumberland County Bank, where he was involved in business development and served on the bank's board of directors [1]. He has also been identified as having lived in Cumberland County since the late 1990s [12].\n\nSexton is an eighth-generation Tennessean who was born in Lake City, Tennessee, on November 11, 1970 [1][4]. He spent his childhood and early teenage years in Farragut, where his father taught chemistry and biology at Farragut High School and his mother worked as a teacher [9]. He is married to Lacey McRae and has three children: Nathaniel, Olivia, and Greer [5]. Sexton identifies as Baptist [5].\n\n## Office history\n\nCameron Sexton was first elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives in 2010, assuming office on January 11, 2011, following the resignation of his predecessor Eric Swafford [4]. He represents District 25, which includes Cumberland and Van Buren Counties as well as the City of Monterey in Putnam County [3]. Members of the Tennessee House serve two-year terms without term limits [2]. Sexton has been re-elected to this seat multiple times; he is currently serving his sixth term, with his current term ending on November 3, 2026 [1].\n\nIn August 2019, Sexton was elected as the 83rd Speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives, replacing Glen Casada who had resigned from the position [1]. He assumed the speakership on August 23, 2019, and has been reelected to continue serving in this role [3]. As Speaker, Sexton exercises significant legislative authority, including instructing staff to review judicial cases and exploring impeachment proceedings against local officials such as a Shelby County judge and district attorney [6][7]. He also publicly stated that the state would take over Memphis-Shelby County Schools following the termination of its superintendent [8].\n\nPrior to becoming Speaker, Sexton served as House Republican Caucus Chairman for the first half of the 111th General Assembly, a role in which he expanded conservative initiatives [3]. His legislative career has been characterized by his work on issues such as sports gaming, business protection, and pro-life legislation, earning him high scores from conservative advocacy groups like the Family Action Council of Tennessee [11]. Sexton self-describes as a pragmatic conservative and an eighth-generation Tennessean [3].\n\n## Legislative record and accomplishments\n\nCameron Sexton has served in the Tennessee House of Representatives since January 11, 2011, representing District 25 [1]. On August 23, 2019, he was elected as the 83rd Speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives, succeeding Glen Casada after Casada resigned [1]. Sexton has been reelected to continue serving in this leadership role [3]. Prior to becoming speaker, he served as House Republican Caucus Chairman for the first half of the 111th General Assembly, where he expanded conservative initiatives [3].\n\nAs a legislator, Sexton is identified with conservative policy positions. The Family Action Council of Tennessee\u2019s scorecard highlights his support for several key measures, 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) [11]. His legislative record also includes support for SB 1297/HB 1151 regarding single-sex restroom laws, SB 1304/HB 836 concerning conscience provisions for child-placing agencies, and SB 1373/HB 307 on elective religious courses [11]. Additionally, he supported SB 1499/HB 1274 (School Protection Act), SB 1736/HB 1689 on single-sex student athletics, and SB 2196/HB 2263 (Governor Lee's Pro-Life Bill) [11].\n\nIn his capacity as Speaker, Sexton has engaged in significant oversight actions. In November 2023, he instructed staff to review all criminal cases handled by Shelby County General Sessions Criminal Court Judge Bill Anderson following controversial bail decisions [6]. Later that year, in October 2023, Sexton explored the possibility of impeaching Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy due to disagreements over juvenile crime policies [7]. In January 2024, he stated that the state planned to take over Memphis-Shelby County Schools after the board fired superintendent Dr. Marie Feagins, proposing a new board of individuals from Shelby County to oversee the system [8].\n\n## Documented disputes and controversies\n\nIn November 2019, Sexton instructed his staff to review all criminal cases handled by Shelby County General Sessions Criminal Court Judge Bill Anderson following controversial bail decisions that drew criticism from Republican leadership and community members [6]. Sexton publicly criticized Anderson on social media, stating the judge \"stands with violent criminals rather than law enforcement, victims, families and pr[obably]...\" [6].\n\nIn October 2023, Sexton explored the possibility of impeaching Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy due to disagreements over decreasing juvenile crime at the state level [7]. Sexton first discussed this idea during a telephone town hall in August 2023 and reiterated it days before the WMC News report [7]. The Tennessee Lookout reported that any impeachment charges would need to be brought by the Tennessee Attorney General [7].\n\nIn January 2024, following the Memphis-Shelby County Schools board's termination of superintendent Dr. Marie Feagins, Sexton stated on KWAM\u2019s \"Wake Up Memphis\" program that the state planned to take over the school system [8]. He proposed placing a new board made up of Shelby County individuals to oversee the schools or hiring a new director to restore control [8].\n\n## Business interests and wealth source\n\nCameron Sexton\u2019s professional background includes work in business development at Cumberland County Bank, where he also served on the bank's board of directors [1]. He holds a degree in Public Administration from the University of Tennessee, which he received in 1994 [1][2]. Sexton is an eighth-generation Tennessean and describes himself as a pragmatic conservative [3].\n\nPublic financial disclosure records for Tennessee legislators are maintained by LegiStorm, which tracks personal financial disclosures for Sexton [10]. However, the specific details of his wealth sources, business ownership stakes, or significant asset sales are not provided in the available source material.\n\n## Family\n\nCameron Sexton is married to Lacey McRae[4]. The couple has three children: Nathaniel, Olivia, and Greer[5]. Sexton describes himself as an eighth-generation Tennessean[3]. He was raised in a Baptist household[9].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Cameron Sexton - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Cameron_Sexton)\n[2] [Tennessee House of Representatives District 25 - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Tennessee_House_of_Representatives_District_25)\n[3] [Speaker of the House of Representatives Cameron Sexton](https://www.capitol.tn.gov/house/speaker.html)\n[4] [Cameron Sexton - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cameron_Sexton)\n[5] [Vote Smart | Facts For All](https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/biography/125418/cameron-sexton)\n[6] [Sexton reviewing Shelby County judge's criminal cases - Memphis Local, Sports, Business & Food News | Daily Memphian](https://dailymemphian.com/subscriber/article/48081/tennessee-house-of-representatives-speaker-cameron-sexton)\n[7] [Tenn. House Speaker explores impeachment of Shelby County DA](https://www.actionnews5.com/2023/10/17/tenn-house-speaker-explores-impeachment-shelby-county-da/)\n[8] [Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton says state plans to take over MSCS after firing of superintendent](https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/education/tennessee-house-speaker-cameron-sexton-state-takeover-mscs-after-firing-of-superintendent/522-b9b7078b-3d88-4a8b-988c-6881ad18ef85)\n[9] [Cameron Sexton \u2014 Grokipedia](https://grokipedia.com/page/Cameron_Sexton)\n[10] [Tennessee State Rep. Cameron Sexton - Biography | LegiStorm](https://www.legistorm.com/person/bio/54700/Cameron_A_Sexton.html)\n[11] [Speaker Cameron Sexton - Family Action Council of Tennessee](https://scorecard.factennessee.org/representatives/cameron-sexton)\n[12] [About Cameron Sexton, The Tennessee Speaker Of The House | by William Spivey | The Polis | Medium](https://medium.com/the-polis/about-cameron-sexton-the-tennessee-speaker-of-the-house-96dc6d0687c6)","firstname":"Cameron","lastname":"Sexton","middlename":"Speaker","suffix":null,"token":"CUWR8XqumT"},"token":"cameron_sexton"}],"choices":null,"description":null,"district":"025","districtgroup":"state_house","districtgroupname":"State House","districtname":"District 25","job_type":"state_representative","o.office":"state_house_025","office":"state_house_025","officedescription":"The Tennessee House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the state legislature, with 99 members elected from single-member districts to two-year terms. Representatives pass state laws, originate revenue bills, approve the state budget, and \u2014 together with the Senate \u2014 confirm gubernatorial appointments and propose constitutional amendments. Candidates must be at least 21 years old, U.S. citizens, Tennessee residents for at least three years, and district residents for at least one year.","officequalities":"- **Integrity** \u2014 Acts in the interest of constituents and the public good rather than for personal gain, and remains independent of undue influence from donors, lobbyists, and party leadership.\n- **Understanding of the constituency** \u2014 Grasps both the economic-development needs of the district and the day-to-day concerns of individual residents \u2014 safety, healthcare, education, infrastructure.\n- **Persuasion** \u2014 Engages, listens to, and persuades both fellow legislators and constituents. Can change minds and explain votes honestly.\n- **Legislative craft** \u2014 Reads, drafts, and amends statute with care. Understands how specific bill language translates to outcomes, and knows the body of law being modified.\n- **Coalition-building** \u2014 Finds common ground across partisan and factional lines, brokers compromises that hold, and forms working majorities even when consensus is hard to reach.","officeterm":2,"officetitle":"State Representative District 25","partisan":1,"pgr":"primary","quantity":null,"referendum":null,"source":{"retrieved_at":"2026-06-01","title":"TN SoS \u2014 Candidates for Tennessee House of Representatives (2026)","url":"https://sos-prod.tnsosgovfiles.com/s3fs-public/document/TNHouse_2026.pdf"},"title":"TN House District 25"}