← Back to Hamblen County, Tennessee: Election on 2026-08-06
Contest for TN State House District 11
State House District 11
primary - Partisan - State Representative District 11
About this office
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 — together with the Senate — 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.
Term length: 2 years.
This role calls for
- Integrity — 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.
- Understanding of the constituency — Grasps both the economic-development needs of the district and the day-to-day concerns of individual residents — safety, healthcare, education, infrastructure.
- Persuasion — Engages, listens to, and persuades both fellow legislators and constituents. Can change minds and explain votes honestly.
- Legislative craft — Reads, drafts, and amends statute with care. Understands how specific bill language translates to outcomes, and knows the body of law being modified.
- Coalition-building — Finds common ground across partisan and factional lines, brokers compromises that hold, and forms working majorities even when consensus is hard to reach.
Derived from the office's statutory duties and operational reality. Candidate summaries below map each candidate's documented experience to these requirements.
Campaigns
Democratic Primary
1 candidate
McMahan's biography shows deep local roots in Cocke County and active constituent engagement through town halls, addressing the need for understanding the district and persuasion. No controversies or disciplinary records appear in the provided text. Bio does not indicate legislative craft experience or coalition-building experience.
Republican Primary
2 candidates
Kenny Cody's biography shows thirty years of residence in District 11 and leadership as a former county Republican Party chairman, demonstrating local ties and persuasion skills relevant to coalition-building. He holds advanced degrees in education and works as an opinion editor, suggesting familiarity with constituent concerns and legislative craft through writing. The record contains no controversies or disciplinary actions. Bio does not indicate experience drafting statute or managing public budgets.
The biography confirms Jeff Fancher is a Republican candidate for Tennessee House District 11 in the 2026 election but reveals no prior elected office or legislative service. It documents no controversies or disciplinary records. Bio does not indicate experience in drafting legislation, building cross-partisan coalitions, or persuading fellow legislators to pass laws.
Independent
1 candidate
Larry Jeremiah Brown's biography shows he filed as an Independent candidate for Tennessee House District 11 in March 2026, indicating potential independence from party leadership. The record does not mention prior legislative service, committee work, or specific policy advocacy regarding district infrastructure or healthcare needs. Bio does not indicate experience drafting statute or building cross-partisan coalitions.
Know something about this race we don't?
Submit a contribution →