{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"Marlayna Trego","chatgptsummary":"Marlayna Trego's biography identifies her as a Democratic candidate for Tennessee House District 37 in Rutherford County, indicating local residency and partisan alignment relevant to constituent understanding. The record contains no documented controversies or disciplinary history. Bio does not indicate legislative craft experience or coalition-building experience.","notes":null,"party":"D","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nMarlayna Trego is a Democratic candidate in the 2026 primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 37, which encompasses a north-central strip of Rutherford County including portions of Murfreesboro, Smyrna, and Walterhill. The primary is scheduled for August 6, 2026. The seat is currently held by Republican Charlie Baum.\n\n## Sources\n\n- [1] [Marlayna Trego | BallotReady](https://www.ballotready.org/people/marlayna-trego)","firstname":"Marlayna","lastname":"Trego","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"5M5nh1WycT"},"token":"marlayna_trego"},{"candidatename":"Mary Ann Young","chatgptsummary":"Mary Ann Young's biography shows she is a Democratic candidate for Tennessee House District 37, indicating local political engagement in Rutherford County and Murfreesboro. The record contains no documented controversies or disciplinary actions. Bio does not indicate legislative drafting experience or coalition-building experience.","notes":null,"party":"D","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nMary Ann Young is a Democratic candidate for Tennessee House of Representatives District 37, which covers part of Rutherford County including portions of Murfreesboro. She qualified for the August 6, 2026 Democratic primary, running against Marlayna Trego for the nomination to face Republican incumbent Charlie Baum in the general election [1].\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Petitions Filed for Tennessee House of Representatives as of March 12, 2026 \u2013 Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Elections](https://sos-prod.tnsosgovfiles.com/s3fs-public/document/TNHouse_Filed_2026-03-12.pdf)","firstname":"Mary Ann","lastname":"Young","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"UVYfCav3dh"},"token":null},{"candidatename":"Charlie Baum","chatgptsummary":"Charlie Baum's biography shows extensive legislative experience in District 37, including committee leadership on finance and education, which addresses demands for legislative craft and constituency understanding. His academic background in economics supports his focus on economic development and policy analysis. The record contains no controversies or disciplinary actions. Bio does not indicate prior executive management experience or direct lobbying experience.","notes":null,"party":"R","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nCharlie Baum is a Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives representing District 37, which encompasses parts of Murfreesboro in Rutherford County [1][12]. He assumed office on November 6, 2018, and his current term ends on November 3, 2026 [1][6]. Baum is running for re-election to the Tennessee House of Representatives to represent District 37 as a Republican candidate in the upcoming primary election scheduled for August 6, 2026 [1][13].\n\nIn recent legislative developments, Baum has been appointed by House Speaker Cameron Sexton to serve as chairman of the House Higher Education Subcommittee for the 114th General Assembly [10]. He previously served as vice chair of the Finance, Ways, and Means Committee and is a member of the Education Administration Committee [1][14]. During the current session, Baum introduced House Bill 1447, the Tennessee Retirement Savings Plan Act, which aims to create a voluntary, employee-funded retirement savings program for workers without employer-provided plans [5][16]. He also sponsored House Bill 2408, which was approved by the House to restrict robocalls by capping companies at 10,000 automated calls per month and establishing penalties for violations [17].\n\nBaum self-describes his campaign priorities as promoting efficient government, keeping taxes low, improving public education, and making neighborhoods safer [3]. He states that his economic career informs his approach to encouraging job growth and helping small businesses through limited government size and low taxes [3]. Baum also supports school choice, accountability in schools, and securing economic freedom for all students [11].\n\n## Background and education\n\nCharlie Baum was born on December 13, 1972 [2][12]. He was raised in Knoxville, Tennessee [3][7]. Baum identifies as a Christian Methodist [4].\n\nBaum attended Wake Forest University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics between 1991 and 1995 [4][12]. He subsequently pursued graduate studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, earning a Ph.D. in philosophy and economics from 1995 to 1999 [4][12].\n\n## Career\n\nCharlie Baum earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics from Wake Forest University between 1991 and 1995 [4]. He subsequently attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he met his wife, Kelly, and completed a Ph.D. in philosophy and economics in 1999 [3][4]. His doctoral research focused on labor economics, employment trends, wages, and the effects of public policy [12].\n\nFollowing his graduation from UNC Chapel Hill in 1999, Baum moved to Murfreesboro with his wife [7]. He began teaching economics for the Department of Economics and Finance at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) that same year [7]. Baum served as a professor in the Jennings A. Jones College of Business at MTSU for more than 25 years, holding the position of department chair at one point during his tenure [7][10]. He is also listed as Professor Charles Baum II in the university's economics department [15].\n\n## Office history\n\nCharlie Baum was first elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 37 in 2018, succeeding Republican Dawn White [1][2]. He assumed office on November 6, 2018, as a member of the 111th General Assembly [9]. Baum has been re-elected in subsequent cycles, including a victory in the 2024 general election where he defeated Democrat Cheri Brown with 64.3 percent of the vote [14]. His current term is scheduled to end on November 3, 2026 [1][13].\n\nAs a state representative, Baum has held several key committee assignments. During the 2023\u20132024 session, he served as Vice Chair of the Finance, Ways, and Means Committee and was a member of the Education Administration Committee and the Pensions and Insurance Committee [1]. In February 2025, Speaker Cameron Sexton appointed Baum as Chairman of the House Higher Education Subcommittee for the 114th General Assembly, marking his first time chairing that subcommittee [7][10].\n\nBaum has introduced legislation addressing economic and educational issues. In January 2026, he proposed the Tennessee Retirement Savings Plan Act (House Bill 1447), a voluntary, employee-funded retirement savings program for workers without employer-provided plans [5][16]. In April 2026, his House Bill 2408 was approved by the House to restrict robocalls by capping automated calls at 10,000 per month and establishing penalties for violations [17]. He has also advocated for changes to school funding formulas to reduce delays in state payments to growing districts like Rutherford County Schools [18].\n\nBaum is currently a candidate for re-election to the Tennessee House of Representatives in District 37. He appears on the ballot for the Republican primary scheduled for August 6, 2026 [1][13]. The outcome of this upcoming election has not yet been determined.\n\n## Legislative record and accomplishments\n\nBaum has served on several key committees during his tenure, including the Education Administration Committee and the Pensions and Insurance Committee [1]. He also serves as Vice Chair of the Finance, Ways, and Means Committee [1][14]. In 2025, Speaker Cameron Sexton appointed Baum as Chairman of the House Higher Education Subcommittee for the 114th General Assembly, marking his first year in that leadership role [10].\n\nIn January 2026, Baum introduced the Tennessee Retirement Savings Plan Act (House Bill 1447), which aims to create a voluntary, employee-funded retirement savings program for workers who do not have access to employer-sponsored plans [5][16]. The legislation is designed to help self-employed individuals and those working for small businesses build long-term financial security through a state-facilitated system similar to a 401(k) [5][16].\n\nIn April 2026, the Tennessee House approved Baum\u2019s House Bill 2408, which imposes restrictions on automated telemarketing calls [17]. The bill caps companies at 10,000 automated calls per month and requires them to maintain monthly records of their call volume, establishing penalties for violations to protect consumers, particularly seniors, from robocalls [17].\n\nBaum has a history of supporting conservative economic principles and limited government, citing his background in economics as a basis for encouraging job growth through low taxes [3]. He has consistently advocated for school choice, accountability in public education, and reduced regulatory burdens on businesses [11]. Baum also supported the Tennessee Sports Gaming Act (SB 16/HB 1) and the Business Protection Act (SB 364/HB 563) during the 2020 legislative session [8].\n\n## Business interests and wealth source\n\nCharlie Baum\u2019s primary source of income and professional background is derived from his career in higher education economics rather than private business ownership or family wealth. He has served as a professor of economics at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) since 1999, following the completion of his Ph.D. in economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill [2][4][7][12]. Baum self-describes his career focus as being in economics, stating that his professional experience teaches him how to encourage job growth and help small businesses through limited government and low taxes [3].\n\nPublic financial disclosures and biographical records do not indicate that Baum holds significant ownership stakes in private corporations or derives wealth from the sale of businesses. Instead, his professional profile is defined by his academic tenure at MTSU\u2019s Jennings A. Jones College of Business, where he has served as a department chair and continues to teach courses such as ECON2410 [7][15]. Baum resides in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, with his wife, Kelly, and their three children [2][4].\n\nWhile Baum is not described as a business owner, his legislative work frequently intersects with economic policy affecting private enterprise. He has introduced legislation to regulate automated phone calls by companies, including caps on call volume and record-keeping requirements for businesses [17]. Additionally, he has proposed the Tennessee Retirement Savings Plan Act to assist workers who do not have access to employer-sponsored retirement plans, such as those in small businesses or self-employed individuals [5][16]. Baum\u2019s campaign platform emphasizes conservative economic principles, low taxes, and support for small business growth, aligning with his background as an economics professor [3][14].\n\n## Family\n\nCharlie Baum met his wife, Kelly, while earning his Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill [3][7]. They have three children: Elizabeth, Anna Jane, and Charles [2][4].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Charlie Baum - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Charlie_Baum)\n[2] [Charlie Baum - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_Baum)\n[3] [Re-Elect Charlie Baum for State House](https://baumforstatehouse.com/)\n[4] [Charlie Baum's Biography](https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/biography/182443/charlie-baum)\n[5] [State Rep. Charlie Baum to introduce Bill to Help Tennesseans Without Employer Retirement Plans - WGNS Radio](https://www.wgnsradio.com/article/97064/state-rep-charlie-baum-to-introduce-bill-to-help-tennesseans-without-employer-retirement-plans)\n[6] [State Representative Charlie Baum | BillTrack50](https://www.billtrack50.com/legislatordetail/22948)\n[7] [Representative Charlie Baum \u2014 Tennessee House Republican Caucus](https://tnhousegop.org/members/representative-charlie-baum/)\n[8] [Rep. Charlie Baum - Family Action Council of Tennessee](https://scorecard.factennessee.org/representatives/charlie-baum)\n[9] [MTSU\u2019s Baum sworn in to General Assembly\u2019s House District 37 seat](https://mtsunews.com/baum-sworn-in-house-district-37/)\n[10] [State Rep. Charlie Baum named chairman of Higher Education Subcommittee \u2014 Tennessee House Republican Caucus](https://tnhousegop.org/member-newsroom/2025/02/state-rep-charlie-baum-named-chairman-of-higher-education-subcommittee/)\n[11] [Charlie Baum \u2013 Tennessee Education Heroes](https://tnedheroes.com/baum/)\n[12] [Charlie Baum \u2014 Grokipedia](https://grokipedia.com/page/Charlie_Baum)\n[13] [Charlie Baum | BallotReady](https://www.ballotready.org/people/charlie-baum)\n[14] [Republican Charlie Baum wins Tennessee House District 37 in Rutherford County \u2013 MTSU Sidelines](https://mtsusidelines.com/2024/11/05/republican-charlie-baum-wins-tennessee-house-district-37-in-rutherford-county/)\n[15] [Charles Baum II at Middle Tennessee State University | Rate My Professors](https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2010752)\n[16] [Rep. Charlie Baum proposes retirement savings plan for workers without coverage \u2014 Tennessee House Republican Caucus](https://tnhousegop.org/member-newsroom/2026/01/rep-charlie-baum-proposes-retirement-savings-plan-for-workers-without-coverage/)\n[17] [Rep. Charlie Baum passes bill to crack down on robocalls \u2014 Tennessee House Republican Caucus](https://tnhousegop.org/press-releases/2026/04/rep-charlie-baum-passes-bill-to-crack-down-on-robocalls/)\n[18] [Rep. Charlie Baum wants to reduce the \u201clag\u201d growing school districts face receiving state funding \u2014 The Tennessee Firefly](https://www.tnfirefly.com/news/b4a6c65dglrtevazsacescawg0bet2)","firstname":"Charlie","lastname":"Baum","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"62dEIhRQG8"},"token":"charlie_baum"}],"choices":null,"description":null,"district":"037","districtgroup":"state_house","districtgroupname":"State House","districtname":"District 37","job_type":"state_representative","o.office":"state_house_037","office":"state_house_037","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 37","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 37"}