← Back to Hamilton County, Tennessee: Election on 2026-08-06
Contest for TN State House District 28
State House District 28
primary - Partisan - State Representative District 28
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
Yusuf A. Hakeem's biography demonstrates extensive legislative craft and coalition-building through nineteen years on the Chattanooga City Council, ten years on the School Board, and eight years serving on state commissions including Probation and Parole and Human Rights. He has engaged constituents via town halls regarding education and safety while opposing specific state policies he deems harmful. Bio does not indicate experience in federal lobbying or national party leadership roles.
Independent
2 candidates
Coonrod's tenure on Chattanooga City Council and leadership in the local Democratic Party demonstrate experience in constituent advocacy and coalition-building. Her public discussion of a past felony conviction and subsequent voting rights restoration provides evidence regarding integrity and personal resilience. A 2024 court challenge to her residency qualifications was dismissed, confirming her district standing. Bio does not indicate legislative drafting experience or state-level policy negotiation experience.
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