← Back to Putnam County, Tennessee: Election on 2026-08-06
Contest for TN House District 25
State House District 25
primary - Partisan - State Representative District 25
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
Democratic Primary
1 candidate
Monica Mowdy's biography shows nearly thirty years of Tennessee residency and two decades in ministry and education, demonstrating local ties and community engagement relevant to constituent understanding. Her background includes teacher training and church leadership, which may support persuasion skills, though the record does not detail legislative drafting or coalition-building experience. The biography documents no controversies or disciplinary records. Bio does not indicate prior elected office experience or specific policy expertise in infrastructure or healthcare.
Republican Primary
1 candidate
Cameron Sexton's biography shows extensive legislative craft and coalition-building experience as a long-serving Tennessee House member and current Speaker, including drafting statutes on gaming and education while managing partisan leadership roles. Records document controversies involving his review of criminal cases by a Shelby County judge, exploration of impeachment against a district attorney, and proposals to take over a local school system. Bio does not indicate prior executive management experience or direct constituent service outside the legislature.
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