{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"William Lamberth","chatgptsummary":"William Lamberth's biography shows extensive legislative experience as a Tennessee House member since 2013 and current Majority Leader, demonstrating legislative craft through committee work on rules, finance, and judiciary matters. His background includes legal training as an attorney and faculty member at the Tennessee Bar Association. The record contains no documented controversies or disciplinary actions. Bio does not indicate prior executive management experience or direct constituent service outside elected office.","notes":null,"party":"R","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nWilliam Lamberth is a Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives representing District 44 [1]. He assumed office on January 8, 2013, and currently serves as the House majority leader, a position he has held since 2019 [3]. His current term is scheduled to end on November 3, 2026 [1].\n\nLamberth is seeking re-election to the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 44 in the upcoming 2026 cycle [1]. He is listed as a candidate on the ballot for the Republican primary election, which is scheduled to take place on August 6, 2026 [1]. As of May 2026, the outcome of this primary election has not yet been determined.\n\n## Background and education\n\nWilliam Gary Lamberth was born on December 5, 1977, in Bowling Green, Kentucky [3][9]. He self-describes as having been raised on a farm in Sumner County, Tennessee, where his family operated tobacco farms and cultivated row crops [10]. This upbringing instilled in him a strong work ethic, with parents who emphasized purposeful action and delegated responsibilities beyond typical expectations for his age [10]. Lamberth attended Portland High School in Portland, Tennessee [10].\n\nLamberth earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville [3][5]. He subsequently received his Juris Doctor from the College of William and Mary [3][5].\n\n## Career\n\nWilliam Lamberth was raised on a farm in Sumner County, Tennessee, where his family operated tobacco farms and cultivated row crops [10]. He self-describes this upbringing as instilling in him a strong work ethic and a sense of duty, noting that his parents delegated responsibilities to him beyond typical expectations for his age [4][10]. Lamberth attended Portland High School in Portland, Tennessee [10].\n\nHe earned a Bachelor\u2019s degree in Political Science from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and a Juris Doctor from the College of William and Mary [3][5]. Following his education, he worked as an attorney and served as faculty at the Tennessee Bar Association [5]. Outside of his professional and political life, Lamberth maintains a personal zoo in Sumner County that includes chickens, peacocks, a duck, rabbits, and a dog [13].\n\n## Office history\n\nWilliam Lamberth was first elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives in 2012, representing District 44, and assumed office on January 8, 2013 [1][3]. He succeeded Mike McDonald in the seat [3]. As a member of the Tennessee House, he serves two-year terms without term limits [2]. The district encompasses portions of Sumner County, including Hendersonville, Gallatin, Portland, Westmoreland, and New Deal [5].\n\nIn 2016, Lamberth won re-election for District 44, defeating Democrat Lloyd Dunn with 76.1% of the vote [14]. He has since been elected to multiple subsequent terms, with his current term ending on November 3, 2026 [1].\n\nLamberth began serving as House Majority Leader in 2018, assuming the role officially on January 8, 2019, after being preceded by Glen Casada [1][3]. In this leadership capacity, he serves as a key figure in the Tennessee House Republican Caucus [7].\n\nDuring the 2023-2024 legislative session, Lamberth held committee assignments including the Calendar and Rules Committee, the Civil Justice Committee, the Criminal Justice Subcommittee, the Finance, Ways, and Means Committee, the Government Operations Committee, the Judiciary Committee, and the Select Committee on Rules [1][7].\n\nLamberth is currently running for re-election to the Tennessee House of Representatives in the Republican primary scheduled for August 6, 2026 [1].\n\n## Legislative record and accomplishments\n\nWilliam Lamberth has served as a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 44 since January 8, 2013 [1][3]. He assumed the role of House Majority Leader in 2018, succeeding Glen Casada [1][3]. In this leadership capacity, he helped shepherd legislation such as SB 16/HB 1, the Tennessee Sports Gaming Act, and SB 1297/HB 1151, which addressed indecent exposure laws in single-sex restrooms [8]. Lamberth also played a key role in passing SB 1499/HB 1274, known as the School Protection Act, and SB 2196/HB 2263, referred to as Governor Lee's Pro-Life Bill [8].\n\nLamberth\u2019s committee assignments include service on the Calendar and Rules Committee, the Civil Justice Committee, the Criminal Justice Subcommittee, the Finance, Ways, and Means Committee, the Government Operations Committee, the Judiciary Committee, and the Select Committee on Rules [1][7]. His legislative record includes support for SB 364/HB 563, the Business Protection Act, and SB 1257/HB 1029, the Human Life Protection Act [8]. He also supported SB 1304/HB 836, which provided conscience provisions for child-placing agencies, and SB 1373/HB 307, allowing elective religious courses for credit [8].\n\nIn recent legislative sessions, Lamberth co-sponsored legislation with Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson requiring new citizenship vetting for voters if a federal national database becomes available [11]. He also supported SB 1736/HB 1689 regarding single-sex student athletics and SB 2465/HB 2568, which mandated chemical abortion reversal information [8]. Additionally, he backed HJR 17, acknowledging God as the source of liberties [8]. Lamberth\u2019s voting record has earned him a perfect score from the Family Action Council of Tennessee in recent assessments [8].\n\n## Business interests and wealth source\n\nWilliam Lamberth\u2019s professional background includes work as a lawyer and faculty member at the Tennessee Bar Association\u2019s College of Legal Education [3][5]. He is an attorney who earned his Juris Doctor from the College of William and Mary after receiving a Bachelor\u2019s degree in Political Science from the University of Tennessee [3][5].\n\nLamberth describes growing up on a farm in Sumner County, Tennessee, where family members operated tobacco farms and cultivated row crops [4][10]. He states that this agricultural upbringing instilled in him a strong work ethic and a belief in self-reliance, noting that his parents taught him that \"if you don't do the work, the bills don't get paid\" [4].\n\nOutside of his legislative duties, Lamberth owns and operates a private zoo on his property in Sumner County [13]. He has stated that he keeps approximately 50 chickens, four peacocks, a duck, and four rabbits at his home [13]. While public financial disclosure reports are tracked by LegiStorm, specific details regarding the value of his business interests or wealth sources are not detailed in the provided source material [6][12].\n\n## Family\n\nWilliam Lamberth is married to Lauren Lamberth and they have two children [3]. He was raised on a farm in Sumner County, Tennessee, where his family operated tobacco farms and cultivated row crops [10].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [William Lamberth - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/William_Lamberth)\n[2] [Tennessee House of Representatives District 44 - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Tennessee_House_of_Representatives_District_44)\n[3] [William Lamberth - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Lamberth)\n[4] [William Lamberth for State Representative District 44](https://votelamberth.com/)\n[5] [Faculty Profile: william lamberth II](https://cle.tba.org/faculty/profile/22388)\n[6] [Tennessee State Rep. William Lamberth - Biography | LegiStorm](https://www.legistorm.com/person/bio/242949/William_Gary_Lamberth.html)\n[7] [Leader William Lamberth \u2014 Tennessee House Republican Caucus](https://tnhousegop.org/members/leader-william-lamberth/)\n[8] [Rep. William Lamberth - Family Action Council of Tennessee](https://scorecard.factennessee.org/representatives/william-lamberth)\n[9] [William Lamberth - Representative from Tennessee](https://sengov.com/states/tennessee/william-lamberth/)\n[10] [William Lamberth \u2014 Grokipedia](https://grokipedia.com/page/William_Lamberth)\n[11] [House Majority Leader William Lamberth Archives \u2022 Tennessee Lookout](https://tennesseelookout.com/tag/house-majority-leader-william-lamberth/)\n[12] [Tennessee State Rep. William Lamberth - Biography | LegiStorm](https://www.legistorm.com/person/bio/242949/William_G_Lamberth.html)\n[13] [GOP quarterback, zookeeper, Tennessee House majority leader: Who is William Lamberth? | WPLN News](https://wpln.org/post/gop-quarterback-zookeeper-tennessee-house-majority-leader-who-is-william-lamberth/)\n[14] [Tennessee 44th District State House Results: William Lamberth Wins](https://www.nytimes.com/elections/2016/results/tennessee-state-house-district-44)","firstname":"William","lastname":"Lamberth","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"zgs9vREqJL"},"token":"william_lamberth"},{"candidatename":"Latoya Holcomb","chatgptsummary":"Holcomb's biography shows over twenty years in Sumner County and current service as a Portland City Councilwoman, demonstrating local residency and municipal governance experience relevant to constituent understanding. Her background as a mechanical engineer suggests analytical skills useful for legislative craft, while her role as a minister may support coalition-building through community engagement. The record contains no documented controversies or disciplinary actions. Bio does not indicate state-level legislative experience or specific policy strategy development.","notes":null,"party":"D","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nLaToya Holcomb is a candidate in the 2026 Democratic primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 44 [1]. She currently serves as a Portland City Councilwoman, having been elected to that position and seeking re-election to continue her service on the municipal council [2]. Holcomb self-describes as a resident of Sumner County for over 20 years and states that she resides in the City of Portland with her husband, Tyrone [2]. She identifies herself as a Minister at Zion Upper Room Apostolic Faith Church and notes her professional background in mechanical and quality engineering [2]. Holcomb qualified for the 2026 ballot by meeting the state's qualifying deadline on March 10, 2026 [1].\n\n## Background and education\n\nLaToya Holcomb has resided in Sumner County for over 20 years and currently lives in the City of Portland with her husband, Tyrone, whom she has been married to for 26 years [2]. She self-describes as a Minister at Zion Upper Room Apostolic Faith Church [2].\n\nHolcomb states that her professional background includes experience as a Mechanical and Quality Engineer [2]. Specific details regarding her birthplace, year of birth, or formal degrees earned are not provided in the available sources.\n\n## Career\n\nHolcomb self-describes as a Minister at Zion Upper Room Apostolic Faith Church [2]. She also states that she has professional experience in mechanical and quality engineering [2]. Holcomb lists herself as a resident of Sumner County for over 20 years, residing in the City of Portland with her husband of 26 years, Tyrone [2].\n\n## Office history\n\nLaToya Holcomb served as a Portland City Councilwoman for a two-year term [2]. During her tenure, she represented the City of Portland and focused on community benefit initiatives [2]. She sought re-election to this position in 2026, with her name appearing on the Democratic candidate list for Tennessee House District 44 following the March 10, 2026 qualifying deadline [1].\n\n## Family\n\nHolcomb self-describes as a resident of Sumner County for over 20 years and currently resides in the City of Portland with her husband, Tyrone, whom she has been married to for 26 years [2]. She also identifies herself as a mother and grandmother [2].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Candidate Lists | Tennessee Secretary of State](https://sos.tn.gov/elections/2026-candidate-lists)\n[2] [LaToya Holcomb seeks another term on council - Main Street Media of Tennessee](https://mainstreetmediatn.com/articles/opinion-portlandsun/latoya-holcomb-seeks-another-term-on-council/)","firstname":"Latoya","lastname":"Holcomb","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"ErKKaNX0BA"},"token":"latoya_holcomb"},{"candidatename":"Jennifer Janay Barton","chatgptsummary":"Barton's advanced degrees in business and education suggest familiarity with economic development and school systems relevant to District 44 constituents. Her campaign profile indicates active engagement as a Republican candidate seeking legislative office. Bio does not indicate prior experience in drafting statute or building cross-partisan coalitions within the Tennessee General Assembly.","notes":null,"party":"R","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nJennifer Janay Barton is a Republican candidate for Tennessee House of Representatives District 44 in the August 6, 2026 primary.\n\n## Background and education\nHer verified professional profiles indicate she holds a B.S., an MBA, and an M.Ed.\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Jennifer Janay Barton \u2013 BallotReady](https://www.ballotready.org/people/jennifer-janay-barton)\n- [2] [Jennifer Barton for Tennessee House of Representatives \u2013 District 44 \u2013 Good Party](https://goodparty.org/candidate/jennifer-barton/tennessee-house-of-representatives-district-44)","firstname":"Jennifer Janay","lastname":"Barton","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"v1nSNPH6MJ"},"token":null}],"choices":null,"description":null,"district":"044","districtgroup":"state_house","districtgroupname":"State House","districtname":"District 44","job_type":"state_representative","o.office":"state_house_044","office":"state_house_044","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 44","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 44"}