← Back to Haywood County, Tennessee: Election on 2026-08-06
Contest for TN House District 80
State House District 80
primary - Partisan - State Representative District 80
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
3 candidates
Bethany N. Miller's biography shows lifelong residence in District 80 and current service on the Hardeman County Commission, demonstrating local understanding and constituent engagement. Her role as an assistant principal suggests familiarity with education and community concerns. No controversies or disciplinary records appear in the provided text. Bio does not indicate legislative drafting experience or prior state-level persuasion experience.
Shelia L. Godwin's biography shows over a decade of political activity in Madison County and West Tennessee, including multiple campaigns for state and local office. This background suggests familiarity with district concerns and legislative processes. Bio does not indicate experience in drafting statute or building cross-partisan coalitions.
Andrea Bond Johnson's biography shows long-term local leadership as a business owner and community board member in Hardeman County, demonstrating familiarity with district economic needs and constituent concerns. She has run for state office multiple times, indicating experience engaging voters and legislators. The record contains no documented controversies or disciplinary actions. Bio does not indicate legislative drafting experience or prior service in the Tennessee General Assembly.
Republican Primary
1 candidate
McTizic's tenure as Mayor of Bolivar and President of the Tennessee Municipal League demonstrates experience in local governance, economic development, and coalition-building across diverse groups. His background includes serving on city councils and leading municipal organizations while advocating for rural healthcare and tax reduction. The biography contains no record of disciplinary action or controversy. Bio does not indicate legislative drafting experience or direct state-level persuasion experience.
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