{"county":null,"description":"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.","district":"073","districtgroup":"state_house","id":307,"key":"state_house_073","lastchangeby":null,"name":null,"next_election":null,"notes":null,"officegroup":"tn_house","partisan":1,"party":null,"qualities":"- **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.","quantity":1,"source":null,"state":"tn","term_end":null,"term_start":null,"term_years":2,"terms":[{"current":0,"description":"","electiondate":"2022-11-08","name":"Chris Todd","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nChris Todd is a Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives representing District 73, having assumed office on November 6, 2018 [1][3]. His current term concludes on November 3, 2026 [1]. Todd is seeking re-election to represent District 73 in the upcoming general election [1]. He appears on the ballot for the Republican primary scheduled for August 6, 2026 [1].\n\nDuring his tenure, Todd has served as Chairman of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, alongside assignments on the Calendar and Rules and Civil Justice Committees [1][4]. In March 2026, he proposed House Bill 1300 to eliminate daylight saving time in Tennessee and require year-round standard time [11]. He has also sponsored legislation expanding protections for children from adult entertainment under the Tennessee Adult Entertainment Act [10]. Todd states that his legislative priorities include promoting efficiency in state government, educating and attracting workers to Madison County, and preserving conservative values [4].\n\n## Background and education\n\nChris Todd was born on November 26, 1966 [3]. He self-describes as being born and raised in West Tennessee, specifically noting his upbringing in Paris [7][8]. His family has a background in agriculture, with his grandfather raising hogs, cattle, beans, and corn [7]. Todd identifies as Baptist [5].\n\nTodd earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Union University between 1985 and 1989 [5][8]. He is also a certified hydrologist in the state of Tennessee [5].\n\n## Career\n\nChris Todd was born on November 26, 1966, and is a native of West Tennessee [3]. He earned a Bachelor of Science in biology from Union University between 1985 and 1989 [5]. Professionally, Todd is a certified hydrologist in the State of Tennessee [5].\n\nTodd founded and operated a local erosion control business for over 27 years, creating numerous jobs in Madison County [4][8]. He grew up on a family farm where his grandfather raised hogs, cattle, beans, and corn [7]. Todd resides in Jackson with his wife, Melissa, and their three children [5].\n\n## Office history\n\nChris Todd first ran for the Tennessee House of Representatives in 2018, seeking to represent District 73 as a Republican candidate [5]. He was elected in that race and assumed office on November 6, 2018, succeeding Jimmy Eldridge [1][3]. Following redistricting or subsequent elections, he has continued to represent the 73rd district since January 8, 2019 [3]. Members of the Tennessee House of Representatives serve two-year terms and are not subject to term limits [2].\n\nTodd was re-elected in 2020 and again in 2022, continuing his service in the state legislature [5]. He was also a candidate in the 2024 Tennessee State House election for District 73 [5]. He is currently serving a term that ends on November 3, 2026 [1]. In addition to his legislative duties, Todd has served as Chairman of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, as well as a member of the Calendar and Rules Committee, Civil Justice Committee, and Education Instruction Committee [1][4][8].\n\n## Legislative record and accomplishments\n\nChris Todd serves as Chairman of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, a role he holds alongside assignments to the Calendar and Rules Committee, Civil Justice Committee, Education Instruction Committee, Judiciary Committee, and Transportation Committee [1][4][8]. He self-describes his legislative priorities as promoting efficiency in state government, educating and attracting workers to fill jobs in Madison County, and preserving conservative values [4].\n\nIn 2026, Todd proposed House Bill 1300 to eliminate daylight saving time in Tennessee by requiring the observance of standard time year-round, stating that the change would provide consistency and improve health and productivity [11]. Previously, he sponsored House Bill 884, which expanded protections for children from adult entertainment by amending the Tennessee Adult Entertainment Act; Todd described the measure as a \"common sense step\" [10].\n\nTodd has supported legislation to lower the age requirement to buy or carry a handgun in public from 21 to 18, arguing that the U.S. Constitution supports his position [6]. His legislative record includes voting for SB 16/HB 1 (Tennessee Sports Gaming Act), SB 364/HB 563 (Business Protection Act), and SB 1257/HB 1029 (Human Life Protection Act) [9]. He also voted in favor of SB 1297/HB 1151 regarding indecent exposure laws in single-sex restrooms, SB 1304/HB 836 concerning conscience provisions for child-placing agencies, and SB 1373/HB 307 allowing elective religious courses for credit [9].\n\nFurther notable votes include support for SB 1499/HB 1274 (School Protection Act), SB 1736/HB 1689 (Single-Sex Student Athletics), SB 2196/HB 2263 (Governor Lee's Pro-Life Bill), and SB 2465/HB 2568 (Chemical Abortion Reversal Information) [9]. Todd also voted for HJR 17, which acknowledges God as the source of liberties [9].\n\n## Business interests and wealth source\n\nTodd self-describes as a biologist who started and operated a local small business for over 27 years, creating numerous jobs in Madison County [4][8]. His family background is rooted in agriculture; his grandfather raised hogs, cattle, beans, and corn [7]. Todd holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Union University and is a certified hydrologist in the state of Tennessee [3][5].\n\nSpecific details regarding his business ownership stakes, sales of businesses, or family wealth sources are not provided in the available records. While LegiStorm notes that personal financial disclosures have been added to its database for Todd, the specific contents of those disclosures are not included in the source material [12].\n\n## Family\n\nTodd is married to Melissa, and they have three children [5]. His family has a background in agriculture; his grandfather raised hogs, cattle, beans, and corn [7]. Todd self-describes as Baptist [5].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Chris Todd (Tennessee) - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Chris_Todd_(Tennessee))\n[2] [Tennessee House of Representatives District 73 - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Tennessee_House_of_Representatives_District_73)\n[3] [Chris Todd (politician) - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Todd_(politician))\n[4] [Chris Todd for Tennessee](https://www.christoddfortn.com/)\n[5] [Chris Todd's Biography](https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/biography/182499/chris-todd)\n[6] [Bill proposed to allow those 18+ to carry a gun in Tennessee | localmemphis.com](https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/politics/bill-proposed-18-year-olds-bare-arms-tennessee/522-01c2a6b2-9170-49ba-865f-87f6d27dfc0b)\n[7] [Get to Know Chairman Chris Todd | Tennessee Farm Bureau](https://tnfarmbureau.org/get-to-know-chairman-chris-todd)\n[8] [Representative Chris Todd \u2014 Tennessee House Republican Caucus](https://tnhousegop.org/members/representative-chris-todd/)\n[9] [Rep. Chris Todd - Family Action Council of Tennessee](https://scorecard.factennessee.org/representatives/chris-todd)\n[10] [TN House expands adult entertainment restrictions: 'A common sense step' Todd says](https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/tn-house-expands-adult-entertainment-100357566.html)\n[11] [Rep. Chris Todd proposes legislation to eliminate time changes in Tennessee \u2014 Tennessee House Republican Caucus](https://tnhousegop.org/press-releases/2026/03/rep-chris-todd-proposes-legislation-to-eliminate-time-changes-in-tennessee/)\n[12] [Tennessee State Rep. Chris Todd - Biography | LegiStorm](https://www.legistorm.com/person/bio/307818/Chris_Todd.html)","firstname":"Chris","lastname":"Todd","token":"hXZOOS8Fvl"},"term_end":"2024-12-31","term_start":"2023-01-01"}],"title":"State Representative District 73","type":"legislative","url":"https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/legislatorinfo/member.aspx?district=H73","whenchanged":"2026-06-19 17:40:13"}