{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"Yusuf A. Hakeem","chatgptsummary":"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.","notes":null,"party":"D","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nYusuf A. Hakeem (Democratic Party) currently serves as a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 28, having assumed office on November 6, 2018 [1][15]. His current term is scheduled to end on November 3, 2026 [1]. Hakeem is seeking re-election to represent District 28 in the upcoming 2026 election cycle [6]. He has secured a spot on the ballot for the Democratic primary, which is scheduled to take place on August 6, 2026 [1][6].\n\nDuring the early stages of the 2026 campaign, Hakeem has engaged in constituent outreach through town hall meetings held at the Bessie Smith Cultural Center in Chattanooga [8][9]. These events were designed to preview topics for the 2026 legislative session, including school funding, public safety, and voting rights [8][9]. In January 2026, Hakeem also raised questions regarding transparency in a state partnership with Turning Point USA and the introduction of \"Club America\" into Tennessee's public high schools [14][17].\n\nAs lawmakers reconvened for a special session to redraw congressional districts mid-decade, Hakeem issued statements criticizing the new maps as \"flat-out un-American,\" citing concerns over the weakening of Voting Rights Act protections [13]. His campaign has characterized his re-election bid as necessary to oppose what it describes as \"extreme, out-of-touch bills\" proposed by Republican leaders during the upcoming legislative session [6]. Hakeem self-describes as a fierce advocate for public education, equitable community investment, and funding for quality, accessible healthcare [6].\n\n## Background and education\n\nYusuf A. Hakeem was born on December 5, 1948, in Chattanooga, Tennessee [2][3]. He was born and raised in Chattanooga [5]. Hakeem is a graduate of Howard High School and Chattanooga State [10]. He attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga to study political science and government from 1985 to 2004 [3]. In 2012, he attended the Second Missionary Baptist Church School of Evangelism [3]. Hakeem is certified in electronics [3].\n\nHakeem resides in Chattanooga with his wife, Baseemah, whom he has been married to for fifty years as of 2024 [5]. The couple has four children: Aaliyah, Sandra, Malika, and Malik [3][5].\n\n## Career\n\nYusuf A. Hakeem was born and raised in Chattanooga [5]. He attended Second Missionary Baptist Church School of Evangelism, graduating in 2012, and studied Political Science and Government at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga from 1985 to 2004 [3]. He is a graduate of Howard High School and Chattanooga State [10]. Hakeem holds a certification in Electronics from Chattanooga State [3].\n\nHakeem\u2019s professional background includes service on the Tennessee Board of Probation and Parole, where he served for seven years [10]. He also served six years on the Tennessee Human Rights Commission [10]. Prior to his state legislative career, Hakeem served 19 years on the Chattanooga City Council [10]. During his tenure on the city council, he passed \"Ban the Box\" legislation, which required employers to remove questions about criminal history from initial job applications [18]. He also served ten years on the Chattanooga Public School Board [10].\n\n## Office history\n\nYusuf A. Hakeem served on the Chattanooga City Council from the 9th district for two non-consecutive terms, first from 1990 to 2006 and again from 2013 to 2017 [2]. During his tenure as a city council member, he passed \"Ban the Box\" legislation, which required employers to remove questions about criminal history from initial job applications [18]. In 2006, Hakeem was unseated from the Chattanooga City Council by Demetrus Coonrod [10][12].\n\nPrior to his state legislative service, Hakeem served on the Tennessee Board of Probation and Parole for seven years [10][18]. He also served six years on the Tennessee Human Rights Commission and ten years on the Chattanooga Public School Board [10].\n\nHakeem was first elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives in 2018, defeating four competitors in the Democratic primary for District 28 [10]. He assumed office on November 6, 2018, succeeding Joanne Favors [1][2]. In the 2024 general election, Hakeem won re-election to a second term, defeating independent candidate Dr. Thomas J. Brooks III [11].\n\nAs of May 2026, Hakeem is serving his current term in the Tennessee House of Representatives, which ends on November 3, 2026 [1]. He serves as a member of the Education Instruction Committee, the Senate Government Operations Committee, and the Health Committee [1]. In January 2026, he announced his intention to seek re-election to represent District 28 in the upcoming August Democratic primary and November general election [6].\n\n## Legislative record and accomplishments\n\nRep. Yusuf Hakeem has served in the Tennessee House of Representatives since November 6, 2018, representing District 28 [1]. During the 2023-2024 legislative session, he held assignments on the Education Instruction Committee, Senate Government Operations Committee, Health Committee, and Government Operations Committee [1]. His legislative history includes voting against several measures identified by the Family Action Council of Tennessee, including SB 16/HB 1 (Tennessee Sports Gaming Act), SB 1257/HB 1029 (Human Life Protection Act), SB 1373/HB 307 (Elective Religious Courses for Credit), and SB 2196/HB 2263 (Governor Lee's Pro-Life Bill) [16].\n\nHakeem has positioned himself as an advocate for public education, equitable community investment, and healthcare funding [6]. In January 2026, he raised questions regarding the transparency of a state partnership with Turning Point USA and the introduction of \"Club America\" into public high schools, sending a letter to Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds to clarify that his concerns were not based on opposition to civic engagement [14][17]. He also criticized the Tennessee Board of Regents for removing the Chattanooga Eastdale site from consideration as a future hospital location [17].\n\nIn May 2026, Hakeem issued a statement opposing new congressional maps drawn during a special session, describing them as \"flat-out un-American\" and citing the weakening of Voting Rights Act protections as a catalyst for the redistricting effort [13]. He has also engaged in broader political discourse, noting that increased voter registration efforts in Memphis have created legislative challenges for the city by prompting state laws that counter local initiatives [4]. Prior to his state service, Hakeem was credited with passing \"Ban the Box\" legislation while serving on the Chattanooga City Council [18].\n\n## Documented disputes and controversies\n\nIn 2018, Hakeem defeated four competitors in the Democratic primary for District 28, a race that included former Chattanooga City Council member Demetrus Coonrod, whom Hakeem had previously unseated from city council [10]. Hakeem secured the nomination with the endorsement of former representative JoAnne Favors [10].\n\nIn 2024, Coonrod announced her challenge to Hakeem in the Democratic primary for District 28 [12]. The contest also featured independent candidate Dr. Thomas J. Brooks III, a physician from Nashville [11]. Following the election, Coonrod stated that the Hamilton County Democrat Party had impeded her campaign and that she faced threats to supporters and negative campaigning [7]. Hakeem won the seat, defeating both Coonrod and Brooks [7].\n\nIn May 2026, Hakeem issued a statement criticizing new congressional maps being drawn during a special session, describing them as \"flat-out un-American\" and linking the redistricting to the weakening of Voting Rights Act protections [13].\n\nAlso in 2026, Hakeem sent a letter to Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds questioning the transparency of a state partnership with Turning Point USA and the introduction of its \"Club America\" program into public high schools [17]. Hakeem stated that his concerns were not based on opposition to civic engagement [17].\n\n## Family\n\nYusuf A. Hakeem is married to Baseemah [3]. The couple celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2024 [5]. They have four children: Aaliyah, Sandra, Malika, and Malik [3]. Hakeem also has four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren [5].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Yusuf Hakeem - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Yusuf_Hakeem)\n[2] [Yusuf Hakeem - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yusuf_Hakeem)\n[3] [Vote Smart | Facts For All](https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/biography/160425/yusuf-hakeem)\n[4] [Tennessee Black Caucus holds town hall in Memphis to bring light to local issues \u2013 FOX13 News Memphis](https://www.fox13memphis.com/top-stories/tennessee-black-caucus-holds-town-hall-in-memphis-to-bring-light-to-local-issues/971415507/)\n[5] [Rep. Yusuf Hakeem running for re-election to Tennessee statehouse | Chattanooga Times Free Press](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2024/oct/14/rep-yusuf-hakeem-running-for-re-election-to/)\n[6] [Yusuf Hakeem Seeks Re-Election To House District 28 - Chattanoogan.com](https://www.chattanoogan.com/2026/1/19/513633/Yusuf-Hakeem-Seeks-Re-Election-To-House.aspx)\n[7] [Different year, different seat: Incumbent Hakeem fends off challenger Coonrod](https://foxchattanooga.com/news/local/different-year-different-seat-incumbent-hakeem-hopes-to-fight-off-challenger-coonrod-yusuf-hakeem-demetrus-coonrod-tennessee-district-28-seat)\n[8] [Rep. Yusuf Hakeem To Host District 28 Town Hall March 21 - Chattanoogan.com](https://www.chattanoogan.com/2026/3/19/516223/Rep.-Yusuf-Hakeem-To-Host-District-28.aspx)\n[9] [Rep. Yusuf Hakeem To Host District 28 Town Hall Jan. 31 - Chattanoogan.com](https://www.chattanoogan.com/2026/1/27/513950/Rep.-Yusuf-Hakeem-To-Host-District-28.aspx)\n[10] [Yusuf Hakeem wins contested state House primary | Chattanooga Times Free Press](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2018/aug/02/yusuf-hakeem-takes-early-lead/)\n[11] [Independent Dr. Thomas Brooks attempting to unseat Rep. Yusuf Hakeem | Chattanooga Times Free Press](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2024/oct/14/independent-dr-thomas-brooks-attempting-to-unseat/)\n[12] [Chattanooga Council Member Coonrod announces 2024 challenge to state Rep. Yusuf Hakeem | Chattanooga Times Free Press](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2023/nov/13/chattanooga-council-member-coonrod-announces-2024/)\n[13] [Hakeem Says New Congressional Maps Are \u201cFlat-Out Un-American\u201d - Chattanoogan.com](https://www.chattanoogan.com/2026/5/5/518365/Hakeem-Says-New-Congressional-Maps-Are.aspx)\n[14] [Stockard on the Stump: Chattanooga lawmaker questions Turning Point USA partnership \u2022 Tennessee Lookout](https://tennesseelookout.com/2026/01/16/stockard-on-the-stump-chattanooga-lawmaker-questions-turning-point-usa-partnership/)\n[15] [State Representative Yusuf Hakeem | BillTrack50](https://www.billtrack50.com/legislatordetail/22946)\n[16] [Rep. Yusuf Hakeem - Family Action Council of Tennessee](https://scorecard.factennessee.org/representatives/yusuf-hakeem)\n[17] [Rep. Yusuf Hakeem Archives \u2022 Tennessee Lookout](https://tennesseelookout.com/tag/rep-yusuf-hakeem/)\n[18] [Faculty Profile: Yusuf Hakeem](https://cle.tba.org/faculty/profile/67912)","firstname":"Yusuf","lastname":"Hakeem","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"0KjYzqmhNP"},"token":null},{"candidatename":"Johnny Horne","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"I","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nJohnny Horne is a candidate for Tennessee House of Representatives, District 28 in the 2026 Tennessee election (Hamilton County).\n","firstname":"Johnny","lastname":"Horne","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"6qnI53XFlF"},"token":"johnny_horne"},{"candidatename":"Demetrus \"Meechie\" Coonrod","chatgptsummary":"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.","notes":null,"party":"I","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nDemetrus \"Meechie\" Coonrod is an Independent candidate for Tennessee House of Representatives District 28, having previously served as Chattanooga City Councilwoman for District 9 from 2018 to 2025 [1][2]. She challenged incumbent Rep. Yusuf Hakeem in the 2024 Democratic primary for this seat and lost [3].\n\n## Background and education\nCoonrod has spoken publicly about a past felony conviction and time served in prison earlier in her life, which she has said shaped her advocacy for criminal-justice reform and second chances for justice-involved people [1][4]. In 2024 she graduated from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with a Bachelor of Science in sociology and a minor in criminal justice [4]. She was among the first people in Tennessee to have her voting rights restored after a felony conviction [1].\n\n## Career\nCoonrod owns a JanPro cleaning-franchise business and previously served as vice chairwoman, and later chairwoman, of the Hamilton County Democratic Party [5].\n\n## Office history\nCoonrod served on the Chattanooga City Council representing District 9 from 2018 until her term ended in April 2025; she announced in November 2024 that she would not seek re-election [2][6]. Her residency qualifications were challenged in 2024, and a Hamilton County Circuit Court judge dismissed the challenge in June 2024, finding she resided within her district [7].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Demetrus Coonrod - Wikitia](https://wikitia.com/wiki/Demetrus_Coonrod)\n[2] [Councilwoman Demetrus Coonrod Announces She Will Not Seek Re-Election - Chattanoogan.com](https://www.chattanoogan.com/2024/11/17/495581/Councilwoman-Demetrus-Coonrod-Announces.aspx)\n[3] [Different year, different seat: Incumbent Hakeem fends off challenger Coonrod - Fox Chattanooga](https://foxchattanooga.com/news/local/different-year-different-seat-incumbent-hakeem-hopes-to-fight-off-challenger-coonrod-yusuf-hakeem-demetrus-coonrod-tennessee-district-28-seat)\n[4] [Former felon, current Chattanooga city councilwoman now a college graduate - NewsChannel 9](https://newschannel9.com/news/local/former-felon-current-chattanooga-city-councilwoman-now-a-college-graduate)\n[5] [Demetrus Coonrod seeks District 9 city council seat - Chattanooga Times Free Press](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2016/nov/26/demetres-coonrod-seeks-district-9-city-counci/)\n[6] [Chattanooga councilwoman Demetrus Coonrod announces she will not seek reelection - Fox Chattanooga](https://foxchattanooga.com/news/local/chattanooga-councilwoman-demetrus-coonrod-announces-she-will-not-seek-reelection)\n[7] [Judge dismisses challenge to Chattanooga council member's residency qualifications - Chattanooga Times Free Press](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2024/jun/11/judge-dismisses-challenge-to-chattanooga-council/)","firstname":"Demetrus \"Meechie\"","lastname":"Coonrod","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"nkrlQBxC2A"},"token":null}],"choices":null,"description":null,"district":"028","districtgroup":"state_house","districtgroupname":"State House","districtname":"District 28","job_type":"state_representative","o.office":"state_house_028","office":"state_house_028","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 28","partisan":1,"pgr":"primary","quantity":1,"referendum":null,"source":null,"title":"TN State House District 28"}