{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"Brieanna L Akers","chatgptsummary":"Akers's thirty-four-year residence in Bedford County and her work as a Medicare agent demonstrate familiarity with local economic struggles and healthcare needs. Her collaboration on agricultural grant-writing suggests an ability to support rural development. The biography contains no record of controversy or disciplinary action. Bio does not indicate legislative drafting experience or coalition-building experience.","notes":null,"party":"D","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nBrieanna Akers is a Democratic candidate for Tennessee House of Representatives District 62 in the 2026 election.[1] The seat is currently held by Republican Pat Marsh.[2] Akers is campaigning under the banner \"F.R.E.E. Tennessee.\"[1]\n\nAkers's platform centers on four themes: supporting farmers and rural communities through help with agricultural grant opportunities; equal treatment under the law, which she has framed as \"the same rules, the same respect for everybody\"; raising Tennessee's minimum wage above the current $7.25-an-hour federal floor (unchanged since 2009) through a proposed \"Tennessee Fair Wage Plan\" with biennial reviews; and defending funding and equitable resources for public schools.[1]\n\n## Background and education\nAkers is 38 years old and has lived in Bedford County for 34 years. She attended school in Cascade, Tennessee, from kindergarten through 12th grade.[1]\n\n## Career\nAkers works as an independent Medicare insurance agent. She has said the work has shown her \"the struggles my clients face being on a fixed income and trying to budget between healthcare and bills.\"[1]\n\nAkers has worked with a local farmer on agricultural grant-writing efforts aimed at supporting local economic independence in rural Bedford County.[1]\n\n## Family\nAkers is a mother and the sole provider for her 12-year-old child.[1]\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Brieanna Akers \u2013 TN House District 62 (campaign website)](https://briefortennessee.com/)\n- [2] [Representative Pat Marsh \u2013 Tennessee General Assembly](https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/legislatorinfo/member.aspx?district=h62)\n","firstname":"Brieanna L","lastname":"Akers","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"TIjsVEpfnH"},"token":null},{"candidatename":"Pat Marsh","chatgptsummary":"Pat Marsh's biography demonstrates extensive legislative experience as a Tennessee House member since 2009 and Speaker Pro Tempore, indicating familiarity with committee work, budget reviews, and coalition-building within the state body. His long tenure in District 62 and background as a trucking executive suggest local economic understanding. The record contains no documented controversies or disciplinary actions. Bio does not indicate prior experience in federal lawmaking or national policy negotiation.","notes":null,"party":"R","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nPat Marsh is a Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives representing District 62, which includes Bedford County and parts of Lincoln County [11]. He first assumed office on October 13, 2009, following a special election [12]. In August 2021, Marsh was elected Speaker Pro Tempore of the Tennessee House of Representatives [3]. His current term in the State House is scheduled to end on November 3, 2026 [1].\n\nMarsh is seeking re-election to the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 62 as a Republican candidate [1]. He appears on the ballot for the Republican primary election scheduled for August 6, 2026 [1]. As of May 2026, the outcome of this upcoming election is unknown.\n\n## Background and education\n\nPat Marsh was born on January 6, 1949, in Fayetteville, Tennessee [2][3]. He is a native of Fayetteville and has called Shelbyville home for over four decades [6]. Marsh identifies as Presbyterian [2].\n\nMarsh attended the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business with a major in transportation between 1967 and 1972 [4][5]. He credits his education at the university for providing the foundation for his subsequent career in the trucking industry [5].\n\n## Career\n\nPat Marsh earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business with a major in transportation from the University of Tennessee between 1967 and 1972 [1][4]. He is the owner of Big G Express, a trucking business he has operated for nearly six decades [2][9]. In recognition of his long career as a trucking executive and his dedication to the industry, Marsh was named the recipient of the Tennessee Trucking Association\u2019s Pinnacle Award in September 2022 [5][9].\n\nMarsh has been a member of the Tennessee Trucking Association and the American Trucking Association throughout his professional life [2]. He also serves on the board of the National Walking Horse Celebration [2]. Before entering politics, he worked as a trucking executive, a background that contributed to his receipt of the Pinnacle Award for uncommon service to the industry [5][9].\n\n## Office history\n\nPat Marsh won a special election to the Tennessee House of Representatives on October 13, 2009, succeeding Curt Cobb to represent District 62 [3][12]. He assumed office that same day and has been re-elected for subsequent terms, with his current term ending on November 3, 2026 [1][7][10]. In the 2021 legislative session, Marsh was elected Speaker Pro Tempore of the Tennessee House of Representatives, a position he assumed on January 12, 2021, succeeding Bill Dunn [3][4].\n\nAs State Representative for District 62, which includes Bedford County and parts of Lincoln County, Marsh serves on several committees including Banking & Consumers Affairs, Calendar & Rules, Commerce, Ethics, Government Operations, Naming & Designating, Transportation, and Workplace Discrimination and Harassment [11]. During the 2023-2024 session, he was also assigned to the Agriculture Committee [1]. In his role as Speaker Pro Tempore, Marsh has participated in budget reviews and legislative oversight, including the review of the 2025-2026 state budget which proposed significant increases for education and transportation [13].\n\nMarsh is currently on the ballot for the Republican primary on August 6, 2026, seeking re-election to represent District 62 in the Tennessee House of Representatives [1][4]. The outcome of this upcoming election is unknown.\n\n## Legislative record and accomplishments\n\nPat Marsh has served in the Tennessee House of Representatives since October 13, 2009, representing District 62 [1]. He assumed the role of Speaker Pro Tempore on January 12, 2021 [3]. His committee assignments include the Banking & Consumers Affairs Subcommittee, Calendar & Rules Committee, Commerce Committee, Ethics Committee, Government Operations Committee, Naming & Designating Committee, Transportation Committee, and the Workplace Discrimination and Harassment Subcommittee [11]. During the 2023-2024 session, he was also assigned to the Agriculture Committee [1].\n\nMarsh has been involved in significant legislative budget reviews, including the 2025-2026 state budget which he describes as approximately $58 billion [13]. He states that this budget includes a $250 million increase for K-12 education, a $425 million increase for the Department of Transportation, and funding for 50 additional State Troopers [13].\n\nIn his legislative capacity, Marsh has honored local industry achievements, such as presenting a resolution to the Tennessee House of Representatives for Justified Honors, the first Tennessee Walking Horse to win the World Grand Championship four times at the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration [8]. He also received the Pinnacle Award from the Tennessee Trucking Association in September 2022, recognizing his nearly 60-year career in the trucking industry and dedication to the sector [5].\n\n## Business interests and wealth source\n\nPat Marsh is the owner of Big G Express, a business in the trucking industry [1][2]. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business with a major in transportation from the University of Tennessee [1][2][3]. Marsh credits his education at the university for providing the foundation that led to his successful career in the sector [5].\n\nHis professional background spans nearly 60 years as a trucking executive [9]. In recognition of his service and dedication to the industry, the Tennessee Trucking Association named him the recipient of its Pinnacle Award in September 2022 [5][9]. The association described Marsh as a pioneer in the field before he was elected to the state legislature in 2009 [5][9].\n\nSpecific details regarding his family wealth source, ownership stakes beyond Big G Express, sales of businesses, or significant financial-disclosure facts are not provided in the available sources.\n\n## Family\n\nPat Marsh is married to Mary [2]. The couple has two sons, Rob and John [2]. Marsh states that he is kin to many people in Lincoln County and remains closely connected to both Bedford and Lincoln Counties [6].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Pat Marsh - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Pat_Marsh)\n[2] [Rep. Pat Marsh - Representatives - TN General Assembly](https://www.capitol.tn.gov/house/archives/107GA/members/h62.html)\n[3] [Pat Marsh - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pat_Marsh)\n[4] [Meet Civic Sage - Vote Smart - Facts For All](https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/biography/116508/pat-marsh)\n[5] [Pat Marsh - Haslam College of Business](https://haslam.utk.edu/featured/spotlight/pat-marsh/)\n[6] [State Representative Pat Marsh Talks About His Hometown of Shelbyville, the Traditions That Keep This Close-Knit Community Thriving, and All the Good Things in Store. - Shelbyville, TN Good News Exchange](https://goodnewsmags.com/shelbyville/change-for-the-better/)\n[7] [State Representative Pat Marsh | BillTrack50](https://www.billtrack50.com/legislatordetail/5819)\n[8] [Rep. Pat Marsh honors Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration champion | Living | elkvalleytimes.com](https://www.elkvalleytimes.com/living/rep-pat-marsh-honors-tennessee-walking-horse-national-celebration-champion/article_7be55e71-5900-4e8c-a61a-349903530a4b.html)\n[9] [STATE REPRESENTATIVE PAT MARSH, LONGTIME TRUCKING EXECUTIVE, RECEIVES TENNESSEE TRUCKING ASSOCIATION\u2019S PINNACLE AWARD - Tennessee Trucking Association Inc](https://tntrucking.org/2022/10/11/state-representative-pat-marsh-longtime-trucking-executive-receives-tennessee-trucking-associations-pinnacle-award/)\n[10] [State Representative Pat Marsh | BillTrack50](https://www.billtrack50.com/LegislatorDetail/5819)\n[11] [Representative Pat Marsh \u2014 Tennessee House Republican Caucus](https://tnhousegop.org/members/representative-pat-marsh/)\n[12] [Contact Representative Pat Marsh of Tennessee](https://sengov.com/states/tennessee/pat-marsh/)\n[13] [From The Desk of State Rep. Pat Marsh - Shelbyville Times-Gazette](https://www.t-g.com/stories/from-the-desk-of-state-rep-pat-marsh,213373)","firstname":"Pat","lastname":"Marsh","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"IwyKs24Rji"},"token":"pat_marsh"}],"choices":null,"description":null,"district":"062","districtgroup":"state_house","districtgroupname":"State House","districtname":"District 62","job_type":"state_representative","o.office":"state_house_062","office":"state_house_062","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 62","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 62"}