{"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":"097","districtgroup":"state_house","id":248,"key":"state_house_097","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":"John Gillespie","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nJohn Gillespie is a Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives representing District 97, which includes most of East Memphis and parts of Cordova [1][3][7]. He assumed office on January 12, 2021, succeeding Jim Coley [4]. His current term is scheduled to end on November 3, 2026 [1].\n\nGillespie is seeking re-election to the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 97 as a Republican [1]. He is listed on the ballot for the Republican primary election scheduled for August 6, 2026 [1]. In his campaign communications, he self-describes violent crime combatting as his top priority and states that his work focuses on community safety, supporting small businesses, and improving schools [8].\n\nDuring his tenure, Gillespie has served as Vice Chairman of the Finance, Ways, and Means Committee and is a member of the Health Committee [9][10]. He sponsored legislation known as the MSTF Accountability Act, which passed the House with 74 ayes and 21 noes before heading to the Senate [6]. Gillespie was previously re-elected in 2022 [4].\n\n## Background and education\n\nJohn Gillespie was born on January 17, 1987, in Memphis, Tennessee [4][5]. He is a native Memphian and the son of Elizabeth and the late Trow Gillespie [9][10]. Gillespie self-describes as having two brothers, two nieces, and a nephew, and he is engaged to be married to Mackenzie Daniel, a college counselor [9].\n\nGillespie earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from High Point University in North Carolina [1][2][9][10]. He is a longtime member of Saint John the Divine Episcopal Church [10].\n\n## Career\n\nJohn Gillespie earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from High Point University [1][2][9]. Prior to his legislative service, he worked as a financial professional [1]. He is a native Memphian and the son of Elizabeth and the late Trow Gillespie [9][10].\n\nGillespie self-describes his career focus as supporting small businesses and combating violent crime, which he states is the greatest challenge facing Memphis [8]. He serves as Vice Chairman of the Finance, Ways, and Means Committee and is a member of the Health Committee [9][10].\n\n## Office history\n\nJohn Gillespie was first elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives in 2020, representing District 97, which includes most of East Memphis and parts of Cordova[7]. He assumed office on January 12, 2021, succeeding Jim Coley[4]. Members of the Tennessee House serve two-year terms[3]. Gillespie was re-elected to a second term in 2022[4].\n\nAs of 2026, Gillespie is serving his third term in the Tennessee House of Representatives[9]. He currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Finance, Ways, and Means Committee and is a member of the Health Committee[9]. His legislative priorities include combating violent crime, supporting small businesses, and improving schools[8].\n\nGillespie is on the ballot for re-election to represent District 97 in the Republican primary scheduled for August 6, 2026[1]. The outcome of this upcoming election is unknown[1].\n\n## Legislative record and accomplishments\n\nGillespie has identified combating violent crime as his top priority, a stance he self-describes on his campaign website [8]. In support of this goal, he sponsored legislation requiring violent felons to be registered sex offenders [7]. He also supported the Memphis Safe Task Force Accountability Act, which passed the Tennessee House with 74 ayes and 21 noes before heading to the Senate; Gillespie was among two Republican members demanding greater transparency from entities involved in the task force [6].\n\nIn terms of legislative service, Gillespie serves as Vice Chairman of the Finance, Ways, and Means Committee and is a member of the Health Committee [9]. He also sits on the Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee and the Population Health Subcommittee [10]. His policy focus includes fighting to make communities safer, supporting small businesses, and improving schools [8].\n\n## Family\n\nGillespie is a native Memphian and the son of Elizabeth and the late Trow Gillespie [9][10]. He has two brothers, two nieces, and a nephew [9][10]. He is engaged to be married to Mackenzie Daniel, who works as a college counselor [9].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [John Gillespie - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/John_Gillespie)\n[2] (source #2 not in master list)\n[3] [Tennessee House of Representatives District 97 - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Tennessee_House_of_Representatives_District_97)\n[4] [John Gillespie (Tennessee politician) - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Gillespie_(Tennessee))\n[5] [John Gillespie (Tennessee politician) - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Gillespie_(Tennessee_politician))\n[6] [John Gillespie - Memphis Local, Sports, Business & Food News | Daily Memphian](https://dailymemphian.com/index/tag?tag=John+Gillespie)\n[7] [John Gillespie wins Tennessee House District 97 after Jesse Huseth concedes](https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/politics/elections/tennessee-house-district-97-whos-on-the-ballot/522-9c110695-4ac6-4711-bc41-63b8accbe478)\n[8] [Home - John Gillespie for Tennessee House District 97](https://repjohngillespie.com/)\n[9] [About - John Gillespie for Tennessee House District 97](https://repjohngillespie.com/about/)\n[10] [Representative John Gillespie \u2014 Tennessee House Republican Caucus](https://tnhousegop.org/members/representative-john-gillespie/)","firstname":"John","lastname":"Gillespie","token":"1TJ5SGdWu8"},"term_end":"2024-12-31","term_start":"2023-01-01"},{"current":1,"description":null,"electiondate":"2024-08-01","name":"John Gillespie","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nJohn Gillespie is a Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives representing District 97, which includes most of East Memphis and parts of Cordova [1][3][7]. He assumed office on January 12, 2021, succeeding Jim Coley [4]. His current term is scheduled to end on November 3, 2026 [1].\n\nGillespie is seeking re-election to the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 97 as a Republican [1]. He is listed on the ballot for the Republican primary election scheduled for August 6, 2026 [1]. In his campaign communications, he self-describes violent crime combatting as his top priority and states that his work focuses on community safety, supporting small businesses, and improving schools [8].\n\nDuring his tenure, Gillespie has served as Vice Chairman of the Finance, Ways, and Means Committee and is a member of the Health Committee [9][10]. He sponsored legislation known as the MSTF Accountability Act, which passed the House with 74 ayes and 21 noes before heading to the Senate [6]. Gillespie was previously re-elected in 2022 [4].\n\n## Background and education\n\nJohn Gillespie was born on January 17, 1987, in Memphis, Tennessee [4][5]. He is a native Memphian and the son of Elizabeth and the late Trow Gillespie [9][10]. Gillespie self-describes as having two brothers, two nieces, and a nephew, and he is engaged to be married to Mackenzie Daniel, a college counselor [9].\n\nGillespie earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from High Point University in North Carolina [1][2][9][10]. He is a longtime member of Saint John the Divine Episcopal Church [10].\n\n## Career\n\nJohn Gillespie earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from High Point University [1][2][9]. Prior to his legislative service, he worked as a financial professional [1]. He is a native Memphian and the son of Elizabeth and the late Trow Gillespie [9][10].\n\nGillespie self-describes his career focus as supporting small businesses and combating violent crime, which he states is the greatest challenge facing Memphis [8]. He serves as Vice Chairman of the Finance, Ways, and Means Committee and is a member of the Health Committee [9][10].\n\n## Office history\n\nJohn Gillespie was first elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives in 2020, representing District 97, which includes most of East Memphis and parts of Cordova[7]. He assumed office on January 12, 2021, succeeding Jim Coley[4]. Members of the Tennessee House serve two-year terms[3]. Gillespie was re-elected to a second term in 2022[4].\n\nAs of 2026, Gillespie is serving his third term in the Tennessee House of Representatives[9]. He currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Finance, Ways, and Means Committee and is a member of the Health Committee[9]. His legislative priorities include combating violent crime, supporting small businesses, and improving schools[8].\n\nGillespie is on the ballot for re-election to represent District 97 in the Republican primary scheduled for August 6, 2026[1]. The outcome of this upcoming election is unknown[1].\n\n## Legislative record and accomplishments\n\nGillespie has identified combating violent crime as his top priority, a stance he self-describes on his campaign website [8]. In support of this goal, he sponsored legislation requiring violent felons to be registered sex offenders [7]. He also supported the Memphis Safe Task Force Accountability Act, which passed the Tennessee House with 74 ayes and 21 noes before heading to the Senate; Gillespie was among two Republican members demanding greater transparency from entities involved in the task force [6].\n\nIn terms of legislative service, Gillespie serves as Vice Chairman of the Finance, Ways, and Means Committee and is a member of the Health Committee [9]. He also sits on the Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee and the Population Health Subcommittee [10]. His policy focus includes fighting to make communities safer, supporting small businesses, and improving schools [8].\n\n## Family\n\nGillespie is a native Memphian and the son of Elizabeth and the late Trow Gillespie [9][10]. He has two brothers, two nieces, and a nephew [9][10]. He is engaged to be married to Mackenzie Daniel, who works as a college counselor [9].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [John Gillespie - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/John_Gillespie)\n[2] (source #2 not in master list)\n[3] [Tennessee House of Representatives District 97 - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Tennessee_House_of_Representatives_District_97)\n[4] [John Gillespie (Tennessee politician) - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Gillespie_(Tennessee))\n[5] [John Gillespie (Tennessee politician) - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Gillespie_(Tennessee_politician))\n[6] [John Gillespie - Memphis Local, Sports, Business & Food News | Daily Memphian](https://dailymemphian.com/index/tag?tag=John+Gillespie)\n[7] [John Gillespie wins Tennessee House District 97 after Jesse Huseth concedes](https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/politics/elections/tennessee-house-district-97-whos-on-the-ballot/522-9c110695-4ac6-4711-bc41-63b8accbe478)\n[8] [Home - John Gillespie for Tennessee House District 97](https://repjohngillespie.com/)\n[9] [About - John Gillespie for Tennessee House District 97](https://repjohngillespie.com/about/)\n[10] [Representative John Gillespie \u2014 Tennessee House Republican Caucus](https://tnhousegop.org/members/representative-john-gillespie/)","firstname":"John","lastname":"Gillespie","token":"1TJ5SGdWu8"},"term_end":"2026-08-01","term_start":"2024-08-01"}],"title":"State Representative District 97","type":"legislative","url":"https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/legislatorinfo/member.aspx?district=H97","whenchanged":"2026-06-19 17:40:13"}