← Back to Sullivan County, Tennessee: Election on 2026-08-06
Contest for TN House District 3
State House District 3
primary - Partisan - State Representative District 3
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
Lori Love's thirty-year residency in Sullivan County and background as a retired business owner suggest familiarity with local economic conditions and community concerns. Her prior campaign for District 3 demonstrates engagement with constituents through club meetings and public outreach. The biography contains no record of disciplinary actions or controversies. Bio does not indicate legislative drafting experience or coalition-building experience across partisan lines.
Republican Primary
1 candidate
Timothy Hill's biography shows over a decade of legislative experience in Tennessee House District 3, including service on Business and Utilities, Health, and Rules committees, which addresses demands for legislative craft and constituency understanding. He also demonstrates coalition-building through party leadership roles and persuasion via public relations training. The record notes he assumed office following a predecessor's resignation due to an ethics violation finding. Bio does not indicate experience in drafting complex statutes or managing significant campaign finance disclosures beyond standard filings.
Know something about this race we don't?
Submit a contribution →