← Back to McMinn County, Tennessee: Election on 2026-08-06
Contest for TN State House District 23
State House District 23
primary - Partisan - State Representative District 23
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
Republican Primary
2 candidates
Mark Cochran's biography shows eight years of service in the Tennessee House, including leadership roles and committee assignments in agriculture, education, and finance that demonstrate legislative craft and coalition-building within his party. He cites family farming and retail work as evidence of understanding local economic concerns. No controversies or disciplinary records appear in the provided text. Bio does not indicate experience with bipartisan negotiation or direct constituent advocacy outside legislative voting.
Bolton's biography shows nearly three decades of state and federal law enforcement service, including roles as a Secret Service agent and current constable, which demonstrates investigative skills and public safety experience relevant to constituent concerns. The record contains no documented controversies or disciplinary actions. Bio does not indicate legislative drafting experience or coalition-building experience across partisan lines.
Independent
2 candidates
Jeremy Bromwell's biography shows extensive experience in business ownership and marketing strategy, which may support coalition-building and persuasion skills required for the State Representative role. The record contains no documented controversies or disciplinary actions. Bio does not indicate legislative craft experience or prior elected office experience.
Jason Hitt's biography shows professional experience as an educator and a Client Engagement Manager in the software sector since 2011, suggesting familiarity with constituent concerns and persuasive communication. The record contains no documented controversies or disciplinary actions. Bio does not indicate legislative craft experience or coalition-building experience within a state government setting.
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