{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"Bryan Goldberg","chatgptsummary":"Bryan Goldberg's sixteen-year tenure managing disaster restoration teams and leading the Knoxville Jewish Alliance demonstrates crisis management skills and community engagement relevant to constituent service. However, his biography documents a defamation lawsuit filed against the incumbent and party leadership during the 2024 campaign cycle. Bio does not indicate prior legislative experience or direct policy drafting experience.","notes":null,"party":"D","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nBryan Goldberg is a Democratic candidate seeking election to the Tennessee House of Representatives to represent District 18 in the 2026 cycle.[1] He appears on the ballot for the Democratic primary scheduled for August 6, 2026, with the general election set for November 3, 2026.[1] As of May 2026, Goldberg has not held elected office; he is running as a challenger to the incumbent Republican representative, Elaine Davis.[10][11]\n\nGoldberg\u2019s campaign emphasizes his professional background as the manager of Knoxville\u2019s BELFOR office for over 14 years, where he led teams in disaster restoration and crisis management.[2][3][9] He self-describes his political platform as focused on the \"common good,\" advocating against school vouchers and supporting common-sense gun laws.[5] The campaign has engaged in direct voter outreach, including door-knocking across District 18 neighborhoods such as Cedar Bluff and Kingston Woods.[4][8]\n\nThe race has been characterized by significant conflict, with Goldberg filing a defamation lawsuit against Davis, the Tennessee House Republican Caucus, and Parthenon Strategies LLC regarding false statements made about him and his wife.[13] Goldberg also addressed claims regarding property taxes, attributing unpaid taxes to out-of-state check theft rather than negligence.[7] The contest is viewed as one of the most closely watched legislative races in Knox County, with both candidates actively campaigning through forums and media appearances.[6][10]\n\n## Background and education\n\nBryan Goldberg was born in Miami, Florida [1]. He attended the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where he earned a bachelor's degree in 2007 [1][11]. Swimming was a significant part of his childhood and contributed to his opportunity to attend university [3].\n\nGoldberg self-describes as Jewish and served as President of the Knoxville Jewish Alliance (KJA) [2][9]. He is a member of Leadership Knoxville [9].\n\n## Career\n\nBryan Goldberg earned a bachelor\u2019s degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 2007 [1]. He has worked as a businessman and served as the manager of Knoxville\u2019s BELFOR office for 16 years [1][2]. In this role, he leads a team that provides property restoration services following natural disasters such as tornadoes, hurricanes, fires, and floods [2]. Goldberg states that his work involves balancing the restoration of clients' lives with the management of his team's time and mental health [3].\n\nGoldberg is a former President of the Knoxville Jewish Alliance (KJA) [2][9]. He was also a member of Leadership Knoxville\u2019s 20th class [9]. His professional background includes experience as a swimming coach and an athlete during his youth [2][3].\n\n## Office history\n\nGoldberg has not held any prior elected or appointed office [1]. He self-describes his professional background as a businessman and the manager of Knoxville\u2019s BELFOR office for 16 years, where he led teams in property restoration following disasters [2][3]. He also previously served as President of the Knoxville Jewish Alliance (KJA) [2][9].\n\nGoldberg ran as the Democratic nominee for Tennessee House District 18 in the 2024 election, challenging incumbent Republican Elaine Davis [10][11]. The race was widely covered as a closely watched contest in Knox County [10][14]. Goldberg filed a defamation lawsuit against Davis and Republican leadership during the campaign, alleging false statements regarding him and his wife [12][13]. He conceded the race to Davis after the 2024 election results were finalized [12].\n\nGoldberg is the Democratic nominee for Tennessee House District 18 in the upcoming 2026 primary election scheduled for August 6, 2026 [1]. The general election for this seat is scheduled for November 3, 2026 [1].\n\n## Documented disputes and controversies\n\nGoldberg filed a defamation lawsuit in Knox County Circuit Court against incumbent State Representative Elaine Davis, the Tennessee House Republican Caucus, and Parthenon Strategies LLC, alleging they made false statements about him and his wife [13]. The complaint, filed by attorney Josh Hedrick, also sought an emergency restraining order to halt the distribution of campaign materials that Goldberg claimed contained these misrepresentations [13].\n\nGoldberg publicly contested a mailer paid for by the Tennessee Republican Party that featured images of his eyes with text asking why he was \"hiding\" [6]. He responded by stating he had attended numerous public forums, including events with WBIR, the South Knoxville Business Association Forum, the League of Women Voters Forum, and the United Campus Workers Forum, asserting that he was not hiding but implying that his opponent was [6].\n\nGoldberg filed a lawsuit against Davis and Republican leadership during the 2024 general election cycle, alleging they were making false statements about him [12]. He also addressed digital ads, mailers, and text messages containing claims about his wife and their property taxes, which he attributed to victims of out-of-state check theft rather than personal negligence [7].\n\nGoldberg criticized the Tennessee legislature in campaign materials, describing it as a \"man-made disaster full of mean-spirited legislation, misplaced priorities, and legislators solely focused on extreme social issues\" [2]. He stated that his goal was to \"clean up the mess\" by sending decisions based on the common good to Nashville [2].\n\n## Business interests and wealth source\n\nGoldberg\u2019s professional background is rooted in business management and disaster restoration. He has served as the manager of Knoxville\u2019s BELFOR office for 16 years, a role in which he leads teams responsible for property restoration following natural disasters such as tornadoes, hurricanes, fires, and floods [2][3]. In this capacity, he balances operational demands with the mental health management of his staff and the urgent needs of clients whose lives have been disrupted by crisis events [3].\n\nGoldberg also served as president of the Knoxville Jewish Alliance (KJA) and was a member of Leadership Knoxville\u2019s 2024 class [9]. His campaign materials highlight these leadership roles alongside his experience as a swimming coach and father to frame his decision-making philosophy around the common good [2].\n\nSpecific details regarding Goldberg\u2019s personal wealth sources, family wealth, ownership stakes in businesses, or significant financial-disclosure facts are not provided in the available source material.\n\n## Family\n\nGoldberg is married and has children [2]. He self-describes his role as a father and husband as central to his life experiences [2]. In 2023, Goldberg and his wife were victims of out-of-state check theft regarding their property taxes [7].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Bryan Goldberg - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Bryan_Goldberg)\n[2] [Meet Bryan \u2014 Bryan Goldberg for State House District 18](https://www.votebryangoldberg.com/meet-bryan)\n[3] [Bryan Goldberg for State House District 18](https://www.votebryangoldberg.com/)\n[4] [District Map \u2014 Bryan Goldberg for State House District 18](https://www.votebryangoldberg.com/districtmap)\n[5] [Issues \u2014 Bryan Goldberg for State House District 18](https://www.votebryangoldberg.com/issues)\n[6] [Media \u2014 Bryan Goldberg for State House District 18](https://www.votebryangoldberg.com/media)\n[7] [The Truth \u2014 Bryan Goldberg for State House District 18](https://www.votebryangoldberg.com/the-truth)\n[8] [Get Involved \u2014 Bryan Goldberg for State House District 18](https://www.votebryangoldberg.com/get-involved)\n[9] [Bryan Goldberg for State House District 18 in Chattanooga, TN](https://justmychattanooga.com/votebryangoldberg)\n[10] [Election 2024: State House District 18 - Compass | Knoxville](https://compassknox.com/2024/09/26/election-2024-state-house-district-18/)\n[11] [State House District 18 (2024-Election Voter Guide) \u2013 Tennessee Lookout](https://tennesseelookout.com/race-details/state-house-district-18/)\n[12] [Election Results: Bryan Goldberg concedes race to Republican incumbent Elaine Davis for seat in state House of Representatives](https://www.wbir.com/article/news/politics/elections/election-2024-davis-and-goldberg-race/51-ce8b3a69-5072-42c2-be08-b46d5035484e)\n[13] [Democratic TN House candidate files defamation lawsuit against Republican leaders | wbir.com](https://www.wbir.com/article/news/politics/bryan-goldberg-lawsuit-accusing-republican-leaders-of-defamation/51-2a0e5a42-7685-4bae-a9f2-ec3bd2508841)\n[14] [In Knoxville, a closely-watched race between a Republican incumbent and Democratic newcomer \u2022 Tennessee Lookout](https://tennesseelookout.com/2024/10/28/in-knoxville-a-closely-watched-race-between-a-republican-incumbent-and-democratic-newcomer/)","firstname":"Bryan","lastname":"Goldberg","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"xVgr50pTWq"},"token":"bryan_goldberg"},{"candidatename":"Brent N. Jones","chatgptsummary":"Jones's eleven-year tenure as a military attorney and federal prosecutor demonstrates legislative craft through statute interpretation and persuasion skills honed in courtrooms. His background as a defense and senior prosecutor suggests an ability to analyze complex legal issues and negotiate outcomes. The biography contains no record of disciplinary action or controversy. Bio does not indicate experience in constituent outreach or coalition-building across partisan lines.","notes":null,"party":"R","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nBrent N. Jones is running as a Republican in the August 6, 2026 primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 18, serving Knox County. He is seeking his first elected office at the state level.\n\nJones campaigns as a conservative committed to low taxes, fiscal responsibility, protecting agricultural and commercial interests in Tennessee, and ensuring access to healthcare while maintaining fiscal health. He emphasizes his background as a military attorney and federal prosecutor.\n\n## Background and education\nJones was born and raised in Lafayette, Tennessee. He earned his law degree from Cumberland School of Law at Samford University in Alabama.\n\n## Career\nAfter law school, Jones joined the United States Air Force as a Judge Advocate General (JAG) attorney and served on active duty for more than eleven years, working both as a defense attorney and as a senior prosecutor. He left active duty in 2018 and moved back to Tennessee, where he joined the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Tennessee as an Assistant United States Attorney, prosecuting drug trafficking and other serious federal crimes.\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Brent Jones for Tennessee State Representative, District 18 \u2013 Campaign Website](https://www.brentjonesfortn.com/)\n- [2] [Brent N. Jones \u2013 LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/brent-n-jones-0519599a/)\n","firstname":"Brent N.","lastname":"Jones","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"0HgkZKz6gE"},"token":null},{"candidatename":"Elliott Schuchardt","chatgptsummary":"Schuchardt's three-decade legal career demonstrates legislative craft through civil liberties litigation and policy analysis, while his book and advocacy suggest an understanding of economic concerns for District 18 constituents. However, records show a 2020 federal court dismissed his surveillance lawsuit as lacking evidence, and he currently faces disciplinary proceedings regarding his law license status without a hearing. Bio does not indicate prior elected office experience or direct legislative drafting experience.","notes":null,"party":"R","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nElliott Schuchardt is a Republican candidate running for election to the Tennessee House of Representatives to represent District 18 in the 2026 cycle [1]. The district covers western and southern Knox County, Tennessee [3]. Schuchardt is on the ballot for the Republican primary scheduled for August 6, 2026, with the general election set for November 3, 2026 [1]. He is challenging incumbent Elaine Davis in the primary [12].\n\nSchuchardt formally announced his campaign for the Tennessee General Assembly in November 2025 [19]. His platform emphasizes lowering the cost of living and making Knox County a desirable place to live, work, and raise a family [3]. Key policy positions include calling for an elected Attorney General rather than one appointed by insiders, advocating for stricter rules regarding inmate deaths in Tennessee jails, and arguing for the devaluation of the U.S. dollar to address potential balance of payments crises [8]. He also highlights his background as a civil liberties lawyer who previously sued the U.S. government over warrantless email surveillance [4].\n\nThe campaign maintains an active presence through its official website, blog, Facebook page, and X (formerly Twitter) [6]. Schuchardt has published a book titled *America's Achilles Heel: How to Protect Your Family When America Loses the Reserve Currency*, which argues that the U.S. dollar is artificially overvalued [2]. The campaign accepts donations to support its efforts in the conservative movement in Tennessee [5]. As of May 11, 2026, no campaign events have been scheduled for the immediate date range on the campaign website [7].\n\n## Background and education\n\nElliott J. Schuchardt was born on September 26, 1966 [2]. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Cornell University in 1989 and spent a year studying political theory as a visiting student at Oxford University in England [4][9][11]. In 1993, he graduated from Columbia Law School with a law degree [4][9][11].\n\n## Career\n\nElliott J. Schuchardt studied political theory at Oxford University and Cornell University before graduating from Columbia Law School in 1993 [4][9]. He has practiced law for nearly three decades, focusing on civil liberties, governmental policy, civil litigation, bankruptcy, divorce, custody, and corporate law [4][9][11]. Before moving to Knoxville, Tennessee, he worked with several large law firms [9][11].\n\nIn 2014, Schuchardt sued the U.S. government for collecting email databases without a warrant, working with former intelligence officials to enforce Fourth Amendment protections [4]. In *Schuchardt v. President of the United States*, he challenged the government email surveillance program; in 2020, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed the challenge, finding his evidence dubious [14][15]. He also helped build a case in 2019 alleging that the National Rifle Association bilked donors to fund lavish lifestyles for its leaders [18].\n\nSchuchardt is the author of *America's Achilles Heel: How to Protect Your Family When America Loses the Reserve Currency*, which argues that the U.S. dollar is artificially overvalued and poses a threat to citizens [2][17]. He has also written about inmate death rates in Tennessee jails, citing a doubling of such deaths over twenty years [10].\n\nSchuchardt has been involved in disputes regarding his professional standing. In 2025, he filed a brief alleging that the Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility was concealing information to protect its own attorneys from misconduct claims [13]. He stated that the state would not provide him a hearing on his law license and challenged the requirement that judicial candidates be licensed lawyers in Tennessee [12][16].\n\n## Office history\n\nElliott Schuchardt has not previously held elected or appointed public office [1]. He is a candidate for the Tennessee House of Representatives to represent District 18 in the Republican primary scheduled for August 6, 2026 [1]. The general election for this seat is set for November 3, 2026 [1]. Schuchardt is running against incumbent Elaine Davis [12].\n\nPrior to his current campaign, Schuchardt has not been elected to the Tennessee General Assembly or other state offices according to available records [2]. He previously practiced law for nearly three decades, focusing on civil liberties and governmental policy [4]. In 2014, he sued the U.S. government regarding warrantless email collection, a case that reached the Third Circuit Court of Appeals in 2020 [4]. In that instance, the court dismissed his challenge to the government's surveillance program [15].\n\nSchuchardt has also engaged in legal challenges against state entities during his current campaign period. In late 2025, he filed a lawsuit challenging Tennessee\u2019s requirement that judicial candidates be licensed attorneys [16]. Additionally, he has alleged misconduct by the Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility, claiming the board protects its own members from claims of misconduct [13]. Schuchardt states that the state has refused to provide him with a hearing regarding his law license [12].\n\n## Legislative record and accomplishments\n\nSchuchardt\u2019s legislative platform centers on structural government reform and economic policy. He advocates for amending the Tennessee Constitution to establish an elected Attorney General, arguing that the current appointment process allows insiders to benefit rather than representing the public [8]. On economic issues, he emphasizes preparedness for a potential balance of payments crisis and calls for stricter regulations regarding inmate deaths in state jails, citing a doubling of the death rate over the previous twenty years as evidence of inadequate oversight [8][10].\n\nSchuchardt has engaged in legal challenges that reflect his policy priorities. He filed a lawsuit challenging Tennessee\u2019s requirement that judicial candidates be licensed attorneys, asserting that the state fails to provide due process in determining who may practice law [16]. Additionally, he has publicly criticized the Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility, alleging that it conceals information to protect its own members from misconduct claims [13].\n\nPrior to his current campaign, Schuchardt\u2019s public record includes significant litigation and writing. He authored *America's Achilles Heel: How to Protect Your Family When America Loses the Reserve Currency*, in which he argues that the U.S. dollar is artificially overvalued due to its status as the global reserve currency and should be devalued [2][17]. In his legal career, he represented clients in a 2019 case against the National Rifle Association regarding donor contributions [18] and pursued civil liberties litigation challenging government email surveillance programs, though the Third Circuit dismissed his challenge in 2020 due to insufficient evidence [14][15].\n\n## Documented disputes and controversies\n\nSchuchardt filed a lawsuit against the Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility, alleging that the board was concealing information to protect its own attorneys from misconduct claims [13]. The brief contends that board members Sandy Garrett and Andrew Campbell used their state employment to file false claims for political purposes [13]. In response, the Tennessee Supreme Court refused to grant Schuchardt a whistleblower hearing regarding his law license status [6]. Schuchardt stated that court insiders benefited from attacks on his license and that the state would not provide a hearing [12]. He subsequently filed a lawsuit against Sandra Garrett, alleging self-dealing at the ethics board [6].\n\nSchuchardt initiated legal action challenging Tennessee\u2019s requirement that judicial candidates be authorized to practice law in the state [16]. He argued that the state failed to use due process in deciding who could practice law and called for reform of the election laws for judges [16]. This lawsuit was filed while he was a candidate for the General Assembly, noting that his own license status was under scrutiny by the state ethics board [16].\n\nIn 2019, Schuchardt filed a civil liberties lawsuit against President Donald Trump and other federal officials, challenging the government\u2019s email surveillance program revealed by Edward Snowden [14][15]. The case, *Elliott Schuchardt v. President of the United States of America*, was heard by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals [14]. In 2020, the court dismissed the challenge, finding that Schuchardt\u2019s evidence was \"dubious\" and his witnesses unreliable [15].\n\nSchuchardt helped build a case in 2019 alleging that the National Rifle Association (NRA) bilked donors to fund the lavish lifestyles of its leaders [18]. The lawsuit sought the return of contributions from loyal members, with estimates suggesting the case could cost the NRA hundreds of millions of dollars [18]. Schuchardt\u2019s involvement in this high-profile litigation was noted as a departure from his typical practice of personal bankruptcies [18].\n\n## Business interests and wealth source\n\nSchuchardt is a lawyer who has practiced for nearly three decades, focusing on civil liberties, governmental policy, civil litigation, bankruptcy, divorce, custody, and corporate law [4][9]. He received his law degree from Columbia Law School in 1993 and previously practiced with several large law firms before moving to Knoxville, Tennessee, where he established the Schuchardt Law Firm [4][9][11]. His legal practice has included representing clients in high-profile cases, such as a 2019 lawsuit alleging that the National Rifle Association misused donor funds, which offered the potential for significant legal fees [18].\n\nSchuchardt is also an author who published *America's Achilles Heel: How to Protect Your Family When America Loses the Reserve Currency* in October 2025 [2][17]. The book argues that the U.S. dollar is artificially overvalued and poses a threat to citizens, suggesting that the United States should devalue the currency to improve national competitiveness [2][17][19].\n\nSpecific details regarding his personal wealth source, ownership stakes in businesses, or significant financial-disclosure facts are not provided in the available sources.\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Elliott Schuchardt - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Elliott_Schuchardt)\n[2] [Elliott J. Schuchardt - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elliott_J._Schuchardt)\n[3] [Elect Elliott Schuchardt for Tennessee State Representative](https://www.elect-schuchardt.com/)\n[4] [Meet Elliott - Elliott Schuchardt for State Representative](https://www.elect-schuchardt.com/meet_elliott)\n[5] [Contribute - Elliott Schuchardt for State Representative](https://www.elect-schuchardt.com/contribute)\n[6] [News - Elliott Schuchardt for State Representative](https://www.elect-schuchardt.com/news)\n[7] [Elliott Schuchardt Campaign Events](https://www.elect-schuchardt.com/events)\n[8] [On the Issues - Elliott Schuchardt for State Representative](https://www.elect-schuchardt.com/issues)\n[9] [Elliott James Schuchardt - BANKRUPTCY LAWYERS](https://www.bkforum.com/lawyers/lawyer/tn/knoxville/elliott-james-schuchardt/)\n[10] [Elect Elliott Schuchardt](https://elliottschuchardt.blogspot.com/)\n[11] [Elliott J. Schuchardt, Lawyer in Knoxville, Tennessee | Justia Lawyer Directory](https://lawyers.justia.com/lawyer/elliott-j-schuchardt-1399993)\n[12] [Tennessee Candidate Says the State Won't Give Him a Hearing on His Law License | The Swamp](https://vocal.media/theSwamp/tennessee-candidate-says-the-state-won-t-give-him-a-hearing-on-his-law-license)\n[13] [Whistleblower Accuses Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility of Protecting It's Own Attorneys | PDF](https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/whistleblower-accuses-tennessee-board-of-professional-responsibility-of-protecting-its-own-attorneys/255602701)\n[14] [Elliott Schuchardt v. President United States of Ame, No. 19-1366 (3d Cir. 2020) :: Justia](https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/ca3/19-1366/19-1366-2020-03-02.html)\n[15] [Elliott Schuchardt v. President USA, et al](https://www.law360.com/cases/5625186d530530602e0001ce)\n[16] [Tennessee Candidate Challenges State Election Law | The Swamp](https://vocal.media/theSwamp/tennessee-candidate-challenges-state-election-law)\n[17] [Tennessee Candidate Writes Book About the Dangers of the Reserve Currency](https://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/news/binary-news-network/tennessee-candidate-writes-book-dangers-164730183.html)\n[18] [How Suspended Lawyer Derailed NRA Donors' $1 Billion Claim (1)](https://news.bloomberglaw.com/business-and-practice/how-suspended-lawyer-derailed-a-1-billion-claim-against-the-nra)\n[19] [Schuchardt Announces Campaign for Tennessee State House \u2013 STOCKS MONO](https://www.stocksmono.com/2025/11/20/schuchardt-announces-campaign-for-tennessee-state-house/)","firstname":"Elliott","lastname":"Schuchardt","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"7maujBGwHa"},"token":"elliott_schuchardt"},{"candidatename":"Elaine Davis","chatgptsummary":"Elaine Davis's biography shows two terms in the Tennessee House representing District 18, demonstrating legislative craft and coalition-building through re-election victories and committee work on infrastructure and public safety. Her background includes a psychology degree and prior local campaign experience, though she switched party affiliation from Democrat to Republican. In 2022, her campaign faced allegations of antisemitism leveled against her opponent. Bio does not indicate prior non-legislative executive management experience or direct lobbying experience.","notes":null,"party":"R","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nElaine Davis is a Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives, representing District 18 in parts of western and southern Knox County [3]. She assumed office on January 10, 2023, following her initial election to replace departing Representative Eddie Mannis [3]. Her current term is scheduled to end on November 3, 2026 [1].\n\nDavis is seeking re-election to the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 18 as a Republican candidate [1]. She appears on the ballot for the Republican primary election scheduled for August 6, 2026 [1]. During her tenure, she has focused on issues including infrastructure, public safety, education, and healthcare [4]. In April 2026, Davis issued a Capitol Report highlighting legislative activities such as the passage of House Bill 1649, which bans kratom [11].\n\n## Background and education\n\nElaine Davis was born on July 25, 1967 [3]. She is a native of Knox County, Tennessee [7]. Davis graduated from Farragut High School in 1985 [1]. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and criminal justice from the University of Tennessee in 1997 [1][3].\n\nDavis previously held political affiliation with the Democratic Party, having run for Knox County Commission as a Democrat in 2006 before switching her party affiliation to the Republican Party [7].\n\n## Career\n\nElaine Davis graduated from Farragut High School in 1985 and earned a B.A. in psychology and criminal justice from the University of Tennessee in 1997 [1][3]. Prior to her legislative service, she ran for Knox County Commission as a Democrat in 2006 before switching her party affiliation to Republican [7].\n\nDavis self-describes having a \"proven track record of effective leadership\" and states that her professional background includes advocacy for infrastructure, public safety, education, healthcare, job creation, and lowering the cost to do business [4]. Specific details regarding non-political employment history, businesses owned, or military service are not provided in the available sources.\n\n## Office history\n\nDavis ran for Knox County Commission as a Democrat in 2006 [7]. She later switched her party affiliation to Republican [7].\n\nIn 2022, Davis was elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 18 as a Republican, defeating Democrat Greg Kaplan with 54.10% of the vote [8]. She assumed office on November 8, 2022, or January 10, 2023, succeeding Eddie Mannis [1][3]. The district encompasses parts of western and southern Knox County [3]. Members of the Tennessee House serve two-year terms with no term limits [2].\n\nDavis was re-elected in 2024, defeating Democrat Bryan Goldberg [6][7]. Her current term ends on November 3, 2026 [1]. She is running for re-election to represent District 18 in the Republican primary scheduled for August 6, 2026 [1].\n\n## Legislative record and accomplishments\n\nElaine Davis serves on the Tennessee House of Representatives District 18, having assumed office in January 2023 after defeating Democrat Greg Kaplan in the November 2022 general election [3][8]. She is currently seeking re-election in the August 6, 2026 Republican primary [1].\n\nDavis self-describes as a steadfast advocate for infrastructure, public safety, education, healthcare, low taxes, election integrity, job creation, and lowering the cost of doing business [4]. Her legislative priorities include eliminating Tennessee\u2019s grocery tax without shifting costs to taxpayers or stores, while allowing for a local option to manage revenue [5].\n\nThe Tennessee Legislative Research Center tracks Davis\u2019s voting record, assigning her a lifetime vote score of 80 and a leadership grade of C as of April 2026 [10]. Specific legislative activity includes support for House Bill 1649, known as Matthew Davenport\u2019s Law, which bans the use, sale, and distribution of kratom by establishing new criminal penalties [11].\n\n## Documented disputes and controversies\n\nDuring the 2022 general election for Tennessee House District 18, Davis\u2019s campaign was marked by allegations of antisemitism leveled against her opponent, Democrat Greg Kaplan [8]. Davis defeated Kaplan to retain the Republican-held seat, receiving 54.10% of the vote compared to Kaplan\u2019s 45.90% [8].\n\nIn the 2024 general election, Davis faced Democratic challenger Bryan Goldberg in what was described as Knox County\u2019s most closely watched legislative race [6]. The contest focused on differing priorities, with Davis emphasizing crime and public safety while Goldberg committed to health care reform and public education [9]. Davis won re-election to a second term [7].\n\nDavis has engaged in public policy disputes regarding state taxation, specifically urging the elimination of Tennessee\u2019s grocery tax without shifting costs to taxpayers or stores [5]. She advocated for allowing a local option to manage such changes while maintaining low taxes and lowering the cost to do business [4].\n\n## Family\n\nElaine Davis has three children [3]. She graduated from Farragut High School in 1985 and earned a B.A. in psychology and criminal justice from the University of Tennessee in 1997 [1].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Elaine Davis - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Elaine_Davis)\n[2] [Tennessee House of Representatives District 18 - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Tennessee_House_of_Representatives_District_18)\n[3] [Elaine Davis (politician) - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elaine_Davis_(politician))\n[4] [Re Elect Elaine Davis | Proudly Serving the Residents of TN House District 18](https://electelainedavis.com/)\n[5] [Rep. Elaine Davis urges eliminating Tennessee's gro](https://www.facebook.com/knoxnews/posts/opinion-rep-elaine-davis-urges-eliminating-tennessees-grocery-tax-without-shifti/1365597912270017/)\n[6] [Election 2024: State House District 18 - Compass | Knoxville](https://compassknox.com/2024/09/26/election-2024-state-house-district-18/)\n[7] [State House District 18 (2024-Election Voter Guide) \u2013 Tennessee Lookout](https://tennesseelookout.com/race-details/state-house-district-18/)\n[8] [Knoxville Republican Davis wins House race marked by allegations of antisemitism \u2022 Tennessee Lookout](https://tennesseelookout.com/2022/11/09/knoxville-republican-davis-wins-house-race-marked-by-allegations-of-antisemitism/)\n[9] [In Knoxville, a closely-watched race between a Republican incumbent and Democratic newcomer \u2022 Tennessee Lookout](https://tennesseelookout.com/2024/10/28/in-knoxville-a-closely-watched-race-between-a-republican-incumbent-and-democratic-newcomer/)\n[10] [Tennessee House District 18 - Davis - TLRC](https://tnreportcard.org/representatives/tn-hd18-davis/)\n[11] [State Rep. Elaine Davis's Capitol Report | April 10, 2026 \u2014 Tennessee House Republican Caucus](https://tnhousegop.org/member-newsroom/2026/04/state-rep-elaine-daviss-capitol-report/)","firstname":"Elaine","lastname":"Davis","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"MEoG2aFJOU"},"token":"elaine_davis"}],"choices":null,"description":null,"district":"018","districtgroup":"state_house","districtgroupname":"State House","districtname":"District 18","job_type":"state_representative","o.office":"state_house_018","office":"state_house_018","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 18","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 18"}