{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"Paige Quirin","chatgptsummary":"Paige Quirin's biography confirms her candidacy for Tennessee House District 27 and notes her party affiliation in a Republican-leaning district. The record contains no documented controversies or disciplinary actions. Bio does not indicate legislative craft experience or coalition-building experience.","notes":null,"party":"D","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nPaige Quirin is a Democratic candidate running for the Tennessee House of Representatives District 27 in the 2026 election cycle [1]. She qualified for the ballot following the March 10, 2026 filing deadline established by the Tennessee Secretary of State [4][6]. Quirin is contesting a district that is considered Republican-leaning, positioning her as part of a group of Democratic candidates facing significant partisan headwinds in the state [5].\n\nThe general election for District 27 is scheduled to take place on November 3, 2026 [1][3]. Prior to the general election, primary elections are set for August 6, 2026 [2][3]. As of May 11, 2026, the outcome of the upcoming race remains unknown.\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Tennessee elections, 2026 - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Tennessee_elections,_2026)\n[2] [Republican Party primaries in Tennessee, 2026 - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Republican_Party_primaries_in_Tennessee,_2026)\n[3] [Tennessee gubernatorial election, 2026 - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Tennessee_gubernatorial_election,_2026)\n[4] [Candidate Lists | Tennessee Secretary of State](https://sos.tn.gov/elections/2026-candidate-lists)\n[5] [Tennessee: Unlikely Heroes \u2014 Donate via ActBlue](https://secure.actblue.com/donate/tn26heroes)\n[6] [Tennessee's 2026 candidate lists finalized for state and federal races \u2022 Tennessee Lookout](https://tennesseelookout.com/briefs/tennessees-2026-candidate-lists-finalized-for-state-and-federal-races/)","firstname":"Paige","lastname":"Quirin","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"T2e5ZlorpP"},"token":"paige_quirin"},{"candidatename":"Michele Reneau","chatgptsummary":"Michele Reneau's tenure as a Tennessee State Representative demonstrates legislative craft through introducing six bills on public health and a constitutional amendment regarding food rights. Her background includes a Master of Public Administration and prior small business ownership in real estate. During her 2024 campaign, she filed a complaint with the state election registry regarding an attack ad, which the board upheld against a settlement offer. Bio does not indicate experience in coalition-building across partisan lines or detailed legislative drafting history prior to 2024.","notes":null,"party":"R","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nMichele Reneau is a Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives representing District 27, having assumed office on November 5, 2024 [1][2]. She is seeking re-election to the district in the upcoming 2026 general election cycle [1]. Her current term is scheduled to end on November 3, 2026 [1].\n\nReneau officially announced her bid for a second term during the Make Tennessee Healthy Again Dinner, a grassroots fundraiser held in Chattanooga in December 2025 [10]. In her announcement, she reaffirmed her commitment to defending medical freedom, food freedom, parental rights, and property rights while outlining priorities for the 2026 legislative session [10]. During the current session, Reneau has introduced legislation aligned with the \"Make America Healthy Again\" agenda, including six bills regarding public health and environmental concerns and a joint resolution proposing a constitutional amendment to guarantee the right to food [11].\n\nReneau faces a challenge in the August 6, 2026 Republican primary from Tony Hullender, a former lawyer for the Tennessee Attorney General's Office [12][13]. Hullender stated that he was discouraged from running by the Hamilton County Republican Party chair, which he said motivated his candidacy [13]. The contest follows Reneau\u2019s narrow 2024 victory over incumbent Patsy Hazlewood, a race in which she also faced legal scrutiny regarding campaign mailers; the Tennessee Registry of Election Finance sided with Reneau on a complaint she filed against an attack ad during that prior cycle [15].\n\n## Background and education\n\nMichele Reneau was born in Charleston, South Carolina [6]. She grew up in a working-class family in South Carolina [4][16][18]. Her father served in the U.S. Army for 26 years, where he met her mother, a legal immigrant from South Korea who worked as a seamstress in a rug factory [3][4][16][18]. Reneau self-describes herself as faith-driven, noting that her mother showed her the importance of knowing Jesus and that her faith has been a cornerstone of her life [3][4][16].\n\nReneau earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the College of Charleston in 1999 [2][5][6]. She later obtained a Master of Public Administration from the University of South Carolina in 2003 [2][5][6]. She was the first in her family to graduate college, doing so debt-free [3][4][18].\n\n## Career\n\nMichele Reneau grew up in a working-class family in South Carolina [16]. Her father served in the U.S. Army for 26 years, where he met her mother, a legal immigrant from South Korea who worked as a seamstress in a rug factory [3][4][18]. Reneau became the first in her family to graduate college debt-free [3]. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the College of Charleston in 1999 and a Master of Public Administration from the University of South Carolina in 2003 [5][6].\n\nBefore entering elected office, Reneau worked as a small business owner in real estate [1][3]. She has also held leadership roles in community organizations, serving as the Chattanooga Chapter Leader for the Weston A Price Foundation and as Corresponding Secretary for the Chattanooga Republican Women [5].\n\n## Office history\n\nMichele Reneau first ran for the Tennessee House of Representatives in 2022 but did not secure the nomination.[6] In 2024, she declared her candidacy as a conservative Republican to challenge incumbent Patsy Hazlewood in District 27, citing concerns over Hazlewood\u2019s voting record on issues such as immigration and medical freedom[8]. Reneau defeated Hazlewood in the Republican primary and subsequently won the general election against Democrat Kathy Lennon by fewer than 150 votes[7][9]. She assumed office on November 5, 2024, serving a two-year term that concludes on November 3, 2026[1][2]. As a member of the Tennessee House, she represents District 27, which includes portions of Hamilton County such as Signal Mountain, Lookout Mountain, and Hixson[3][19].\n\nDuring her first term, Reneau has focused on policy areas including medical freedom and food rights, aligning with the \"Make America Healthy Again\" agenda[10]. In February 2026, she introduced six pieces of legislation related to public health and environmental concerns, including a joint resolution to amend the state constitution to guarantee the right to food[11]. She also voted \"present not voting\" on Tennessee\u2019s controversial redistricting plan during a special session, citing concerns about the timing and process of the legislation[14]. Additionally, Reneau filed a complaint regarding a multimedia attack during her 2024 primary campaign; in July 2025, the Tennessee Registry of Election Finance sided with her, rejecting a settlement offer[15].\n\nReneau is currently an incumbent running for re-election to represent District 27 in the 2026 Republican primary scheduled for August 6, 2026[1]. She officially announced her re-election campaign in December 2025 at a fundraiser focused on defending medical freedom and parental rights[10]. Her opponent in the upcoming primary is Tony Hullender, a former lawyer who challenged Reneau\u2019s status as an incumbent and noted that the Hamilton County Republican Party chair had discouraged his candidacy[12][13].\n\n## Legislative record and accomplishments\n\nRepresentative Michele Reneau serves on the Government Operations committee [6]. During her first term, she voted \u201cpresent not voting\u201d on Tennessee\u2019s controversial redistricting plan during a special session, citing concerns regarding the timing and process of the legislation [14]. Legislative tracking data indicates she holds a 95 percent lifetime vote score with an A leadership grade from the Tennessee Legislative Report Card [17].\n\nIn February 2026, Reneau introduced six pieces of legislation aligned with the \"Make America Healthy Again\" agenda, focusing on public health and environmental issues [11]. These measures included House Joint Resolution 0780, which proposes amending the state constitution to guarantee the right to food [11]. She has stated that her legislative priorities include defending medical freedom, food freedom, parental rights, property rights, and limited government [10].\n\nReneau self-describes as a conservative advocate for Tennessee\u2019s food-freedom laws and an opponent of what she characterizes as left-leaning policies on immigration, medical freedom, and transparency [3][8]. In 2024, she filed a complaint with the Tennessee Registry of Election Finance regarding a multimedia attack during the primary; the registry sided with her in July 2025, rejecting a settlement offer [15].\n\n## Documented disputes and controversies\n\nIn the 2024 Republican primary for District 27, Michele Reneau defeated five-term incumbent Patsy Hazlewood by fewer than 150 votes [7]. During that campaign, Reneau characterized Hazlewood as a \"left-leaning candidate\" who frequently voted with Democrats and opposed conservative legislation on issues such as illegal immigration and medical freedom [8]. Hazlewood had previously received the \"RINO of the Year Award\" from the Tennessee Conservative News, a designation Reneau cited to contrast her own conservative record [8].\n\nDuring the 2024 primary cycle, Reneau filed a complaint with the Tennessee Registry of Election Finance regarding a multimedia attack launched against her [15]. The Registry sided with Reneau in July 2025 by rejecting a $2,500 settlement offer she had submitted, leaving the subject of the complaint potentially liable for up to $10,000 per violation depending on the board's final decision [15].\n\nIn February 2026, Tony Hullender announced his candidacy for District 27, challenging Reneau in the upcoming August primary [12]. Hullender stated that Hamilton County Republican Party Chair Gail Greene had discouraged him from running, a move he claimed only strengthened his resolve to seek the nomination [13].\n\nReneau voted \"present not voting\" on Tennessee\u2019s controversial congressional redistricting plan during a special session in 2025 [14]. In a subsequent statement, she explained that her decision reflected serious concerns regarding the timing and process of the legislation, as well as events that occurred inside the Capitol [14].\n\n## Business interests and wealth source\n\nReneau self-describes as a former small business owner who started and ran a successful enterprise in real estate [3]. She states that she became the first in her family to graduate college debt-free before launching her career in business [1][3]. Her educational background includes a bachelor\u2019s degree in political science from the College of Charleston and a master\u2019s degree in public administration from the University of South Carolina [1][2][5].\n\nRegarding her family's financial history, Reneau reports growing up in a working-class family in South Carolina [4][16][18]. Her father served in the U.S. Army for 26 years, and her mother worked as a seamstress in a rug factory before immigrating from South Korea [4][16][18].\n\nSpecific details regarding her current business ownership stakes, sales of businesses, or significant financial-disclosure facts are not provided in the available sources [1][5][6].\n\n## Family\n\nReneau is married to Chris and is a mother of five children [6]. She describes herself as a \"family-focused mom\" who was raised in South Carolina by her father, an Army Vietnam veteran, and her mother, a legal immigrant from South Korea [3][4].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Michele Reneau - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Michele_Reneau)\n[2] [Michele Reneau - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michele_Reneau)\n[3] [Home | Elect Michele Reneau, Conservative for TN House, District 27, Signal Mountain, Lookout Mountain, Lookout Valley, Red Bank, Hixson, Soddy, Mowbray Mountain](https://www.electmichele.com/)\n[4] [Meet Michele | Elect Michele Reneau](https://www.electmichele.com/meet-michele)\n[5] [iVoterGuide - Michele Reneau iVoterGuide Profile](https://ivoterguide.com/candidate/67213/race/15633/election/1116)\n[6] [Vote Smart | Facts For All](https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/biography/206813/michele-reneau)\n[7] [Reneau seeks reelection in 2026, plans to focus on MAHA policy | Chattanooga Times Free Press](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/jan/15/reneau-seeks-reelection-in-2026-plans-to-focus-on/)\n[8] [Michele Reneau Declares Candidacy For House District 27 - Chattanoogan.com](https://www.chattanoogan.com/2024/4/2/485193/Michele-Reneau-Declares-Candidacy-For.aspx)\n[9] [Chattanooga area elects new lawmaker, Michele Reneau | Chattanooga Times Free Press](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2024/nov/05/chattanooga-area-elects-new-lawmaker-michele/)\n[10] [Rep. Michele Reneau Announces Re-Election Campaign At Make Tennessee Healthy Again Dinner - Chattanoogan.com](https://www.chattanoogan.com/2025/12/22/512709/Rep.-Michele-Reneau-Announces.aspx)\n[11] [Reneau introduces slew of bills to Tennessee legislature in line with MAHA agenda | Chattanooga Times Free Press](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/feb/09/reneau-introduces-slew-of-bills-to-tennessee/)\n[12] [Republican running for Tennessee House rejects RINO label | Chattanooga Times Free Press](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/feb/20/republican-running-for-tennessee-house-rejects/)\n[13] [Republican running for Tennessee House says party chair discouraged candidacy | Chattanooga Times Free Press](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/jan/28/republican-running-for-tennessee-house-says-party/)\n[14] [Signal Mountain lawmaker explains her 'present' vote on Tennessee redistricting plan](https://newschannel9.com/news/local/signal-mountain-lawmaker-explains-her-present-vote-on-tennessee-redistricting-plan-michele-reneau-present-vote-redistricting-tn-chattanooga-lawmaker-explains-vote-tennessee-special-session-protests-vote-present-memphis-district-redistricting-reaction)\n[15] [Tennessee campaign finance board sides with lawmaker Reneau | Chattanooga Times Free Press](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2025/jul/23/settlement-rejected-on-tinfoil-hat-mailer/)\n[16] [Representative Michele Reneau \u2014 Tennessee House Republican Caucus](https://tnhousegop.org/members/representative-michele-reneau/)\n[17] [Tennessee House District 27 - Reneau - TLRC](https://tnreportcard.org/representatives/tn-hd27-reneau/)\n[18] [Michele Reneau \u2013 Tennessee State Representative](https://repbio.org/michele-reneau/)\n[19] [State House District 27 (2024-Election Voter Guide) \u2013 Tennessee Lookout](https://tennesseelookout.com/race-details/state-house-district-27/)","firstname":"Michele","lastname":"Reneau","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"FdHtPubaA5"},"token":"michele_reneau"},{"candidatename":"Tony Hullender","chatgptsummary":"Tony Hullender's tenure as general counsel for BlueCross BlueShield and prior service in the Tennessee Attorney General's Office demonstrate legislative craft and familiarity with health care policy relevant to District 27 constituents. He has publicly rejected party labels while challenging an incumbent, indicating engagement with local political dynamics. Bio does not indicate experience in coalition-building or direct constituent advocacy through elected office.","notes":null,"party":"R","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nTony Hullender, 65, of Signal Mountain, is a Republican candidate for the Tennessee House of Representatives, District 27, challenging incumbent Republican Rep. Michele Reneau in the August 6, 2026 primary [1][2][3]. He is a former lawyer for the Tennessee Attorney General's Office [2]. Hullender has said Hamilton County Republican Party Chair Gail Greene discouraged him from running, which he says only increased his inclination to run [3]. He has publicly rejected the \"RINO\" (Republican in name only) label while campaigning [2].\n\n## Career\n\nHullender worked as a lawyer for the Tennessee Attorney General's Office before joining BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, where he has served as general counsel since 2005 [4][2].\n\n## Documented disputes and controversies\n\nHullender has said Hamilton County Republican Party Chair Gail Greene discouraged him from running for the District 27 seat, a dynamic he said increased his inclination to proceed with the campaign [3]. He has publicly rejected the \"RINO\" label while speaking to Civitan Club members during his 2026 campaign [2].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Tony Hullender](https://ballotpedia.org/Tony_Hullender)\n[2] [Republican running for Tennessee House rejects RINO label | Chattanooga Times Free Press](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/feb/20/republican-running-for-tennessee-house-rejects/)\n[3] [Republican running for Tennessee House says party chair discouraged candidacy | Chattanooga Times Free Press](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/jan/28/republican-running-for-tennessee-house-says-party/)\n[4] [Local attorney for BlueCross witnesses health care hearings | Chattanooga Times Free Press](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/mar/29/local-attorney-for-bluecross-witnesses-health/)","firstname":"Tony","lastname":"Hullender","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"ox77KmZLV5"},"token":"tony_hullender"}],"choices":null,"description":null,"district":"027","districtgroup":"state_house","districtgroupname":"State House","districtname":"District 27","job_type":"state_representative","o.office":"state_house_027","office":"state_house_027","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 27","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 27"}