Tennessee House of Representatives

The '''Tennessee House of Representatives''' is the [[lower house]] of the [[Tennessee General Assembly]], the [[U.S. state|state]] [[legislature]] of the [[U.S. state]] of [[Tennessee]]. ==Constitutional requirements== According to the state [[Tennessee State Constitution|constitution]] of 1870, this body is to consist of 99 members [[election|elect]]ed for two-year terms. In every even-numbered year, elections for state representative are conducted simultaneously with the elections for [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. Representative]] and other offices; the [[primary election]] being held on the first Thursday in August. Seats which become vacant through death or resignation are filled by the county commission (or metropolitan county council) of the home county of the member vacating the seat; if more than a year remains in the term a special election is held for the balance of the term. ==Districts== Members are elected from single-member districts. The districts are traditionally numbered consecutively from east to west and north to south across the state; however, in recent [[redistricting]] this convention has not always been strictly adhered to, despite a constitutional provision requiring districts to be numbered consecutively. Districts are required to be reapportioned every ten years following the [[U.S. Census Bureau|federal census]] in order to be of substantially equal population. However, from 1902 until 1962, the General Assembly ignored this provision. It was estimated that by that point that some districts in the [[Memphis, Tennessee|Memphis]] area had approximately ten times the population of some in rural areas. In 1962 this issue was taken to court. Despite U.S. courts having traditionally declined to rule on such issues, the [[Supreme Court of the United States|US Supreme Court]] opted to hear this case and ruled that the legislature had to comply with the state constitution, as its failure to do so was in violation of the [[Equal Protection Clause]] of the [[Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution|Fourteenth Amendment]] to the [[United States Constitution|U.S. Constitution]] (see ''[[Baker v. Carr]]''). Subsequent litigation has further refined the rules regarding this; in the late 1990s a majority-[[African American|black]] district in rural West Tennessee was required to be created. Following the 2008 legislative elections, the House consisted of 50 Republicans and 49 Democrats. The 1960s redistricting was credited by some observers with creating the first [[United States Republican Party|Republican]] majority in the Tennessee House since [[Reconstruction era of the United States|Reconstruction]] in 1968; this situation lasted only until the next election in 1970. 1970 also marked the first election of a Republican [[governor of Tennessee|governor]] in a half century and saw both houses of the legislature begin to assert themselves as a counterbalance to executive authority; prior to this time legislators had not had their own staffs or even their own offices and were largely at the mercy of what the governor's staff chose to tell them and in many ways were often something of a "rubber stamp." ==Speaker of the House== The speaker of the House of Representatives is the presiding officer of the House. The speaker is elected to a two-year term at the beginning of the 1st half in each Session of the [[Tennessee General Assembly]]. Additionally, the speaker is second in line for succession to the governorship,after the Speaker of the [[Tennessee Senate]], in the event of such need . The speaker appoints members to all committees as well. Even though the speaker does not have to make committee assignments proportional to the party composition, usually that discretion is used when determining such. Usually consideration to the abilities, preferences, party representation, and seniority of the members are taken into consideration. The chairperson, vice chairperson, and secretary of each committee also are chosen by the speaker and must be given the same considerations in their selection. The speaker is a voting member of all standing committees of the House, as is the speaker pro tempore. The speaker also serves as co-chairperson of the Joint Legislative Services Committee and must approve, in concurrence with the speaker of the Senate, the directors of the offices of Legislative Information Services, Legal Services, Legislative Administration and Legislative Budget Analysis. Additionally, is in charge of all facilities, professional and clerical staff, custodians and security personnel of the House. The current Speaker is [[Beth Harwell]] of [[Davidson County, Tennessee|Davidson County]]. ==Composition of the 107th General Assembly—2011-2013== {|class=wikitable style="text-align:center" |-valign=bottom !rowspan=3|Affiliation !colspan=3|Party !rowspan=3|Total ! |- |{{American politics/party colors/Republican}}| |{{American politics/party colors/Independent}}| |{{American politics/party colors/Democratic}}| |bgcolor=black| |- ![[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] ![[Independent (politician)|Carter County
Republican]] ![[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] !Vacant |- !nowrap style="font-size:80%"|End of previous legislature |50 |{{Party shading/Democratic}}|1 |{{Party shading/Democratic}}|48 !99 |0 |- |colspan=6| |- !nowrap style="font-size:80%"|Begin |{{party shading/Republican}}|64 |{{party shading/Republican}}|1 |34 !99 |0 |- !Latest voting share !colspan=2 {{party shading/Republican}}|65.7% !34.3% !colspan=2| |} ===Officers=== *Speaker of the House of Representatives: Rep. Beth Harwell (R) *Speaker Pro Tempore: Rep. [[Judd Matheny]] (R) *Deputy Speaker: Rep. [[Steve McDaniel]] (R) *Speaker Emeritus: Rep. [[Jimmy Naifeh]] (D) *Majority Leader: Rep. Gerald McCormick *Minority Leader: Rep. Craig Fitzhugh ===Members=== {|class="sortable wikitable" ! District !! Name !! Party !! Counties represented |- | 1 || [[Jon Lundberg]] || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || [[Sullivan County, Tennessee|Sullivan]] in part |- | 2 || [[Tony Shipley]] || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || [[Sullivan County, Tennessee|Sullivan]] in part |- | 3 || [[Scotty Campbell]] || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || [[Johnson County, Tennessee|Johnson]] and part of [[Sullivan County, Tennessee|Sullivan]] |- | 4 || [[Kent Williams (Tennessee politician)|Kent Williams]] || {{Party shading/Independent}} | Carter County Republican || [[Carter County, Tennessee|Carter]] |-| | 5 || [[David Hawk]] || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || [[Unicoi County, Tennessee|Unicoi]] and part of [[Greene County, Tennessee|Greene]] |-| | 6 || [[Dale Ford]] || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || [[Washington County, Tennessee|Washington]] in part and [[Hawkins County, Tennessee|Hawkins]] |- | 7 || [[Matthew Hill]] || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || [[Washington County, Tennessee|Washington]] in part |- | 8 || [[Art Swann]] || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || [[Blount County, Tennessee|Blount]] in part and [[Sevier County, Tennessee|Sevier]] in part |- | 9 || [[Michael Harrison (politician)|Michael Harrison]] || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || [[Hancock County, Tennessee|Hancock]] and part of [[Hawkins County, Tennessee|Hawkins]] |- | 10 || [[Don Miller (Tennessee politician)|Don Miller]] || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || [[Hamblen County, Tennessee|Hamblen]] |- | 11 || [[Jeremy Faison]] || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || [[Cocke County, Tennessee|Cocke]] and part of [[Greene County, Tennessee|Greene]] |- | 12 || [[Richard Montgomery (politician)|Richard Montgomery]] || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || [[Sevier County, Tennessee|Sevier]] in part |- | 13 || [[Harry J. Tindell]] || {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic || [[Knox County, Tennessee|Knox]] in part |- | 14 || [[Ryan Haynes]] || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || [[Knox County, Tennessee|Knox]] in part |- | 15 || [[Joe E. Armstrong]] || {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic || [[Knox County, Tennessee|Knox]] in part |-| | 16 || [[Bill Dunn]] || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || [[Knox County, Tennessee|Knox]] in part |- | 17 || [[Frank S. Niceley]] || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || [[Knox County, Tennessee|Knox]] in part |- | 18 || [[Steve Hall (politician)|Steve Hall]] || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || [[Knox County, Tennessee|Knox]] in part |- | 19 || [[Harry Brooks (politician)|Harry Brooks]] || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || [[Knox County, Tennessee|Knox]] in part |- | 20 || [[Bob Ramsey]] || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || [[Blount County, Tennessee|Blount]] in part |- | 21 || [[Jimmy Matlock]] || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || [[Loudon County, Tennessee|Loudon]] in part and [[Monroe County, Tennessee|Monroe]] in part |- | 22 || [[Eric Watson (politician)|Eric Watson]] || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || [[Meigs County, Tennessee|Meigs]], [[Polk County, Tennessee|Polk]], and part of [[Bradley County, Tennessee|Bradley]] |- | 23 || [[John Forgety]] || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || [[McMinn County, Tennessee|McMinn]] and part of [[Monroe County, Tennessee|Monroe]] |- | 24 || [[Kevin Brooks (politican)|Kevin Brooks]] || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || [[Bradley County, Tennessee|Bradley]] in part |- | 25 || [[Cameron Sexton]] || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || [[Cumberland County, Tennessee|Cumberland]] and part of [[Bledsoe County, Tennessee|Bledsoe]] |- | 26 || [[Gerald McCormick]] || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || [[Hamilton County, Tennessee|Hamilton]] in part |- | 27 || [[Richard Floyd]] || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || [[Hamilton County, Tennessee|Hamilton]] in part |- | 28 || [[Tommie F. Brown]] || {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic || [[Hamilton County, Tennessee|Hamilton]] in part |- | 29 || [[Joanne Favors]] || {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic || [[Hamilton County, Tennessee|Hamilton]] in part |- | 30 || [[Vince Dean]] || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || [[Hamilton County, Tennessee|Hamilton]] in part |- | 31 || [[Jim Cobb]] || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || [[Hamilton County, Tennessee|Hamilton]] in part and [[Rhea County, Tennessee|Rhea]] |- | 32 || [[Julia Hurley]] || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || [[Roane County, Tennessee|Roane]] |- | 33 || [[John Ragan]] || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || [[Anderson County, Tennessee|Anderson]] in part |- | 34 || [[Richard Womick]] || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || [[Rutherford County, Tennessee|Rutherford]] in part |- | 35 || [[Dennis E. Roach]] || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || [[Claiborne County, Tennessee|Claiborne]], [[Grainger County, Tennessee|Grainger]], and part of [[Jefferson County, Tennessee|Jefferson]] |- | 36 || [[Dennis Powers]] || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || [[Campbell County, Tennessee|Campbell]] and [[Union County, Tennessee|Union]] |- | 37 || [[Bill W. Harmon]] || {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic || [[Sequatchie County, Tennessee|Sequatchie]], [[Van Buren County, Tennessee|Van Buren]], [[Grundy County, Tennessee|Grundy]], and [[Marion County, Tennessee|Marion]] |- | 38 || [[Kelly Keisling]] || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || [[Clay County, Tennessee|Clay]], [[Jackson County, Tennessee|Jackson]], [[Pickett County, Tennessee|Pickett]], [[Scott County, Tennessee|Scott]], and part of [[Anderson County, Tennessee|Anderson]] |- | 39 || [[David Alexander (Tennessee politician)|David Alexander]] || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || [[Franklin County, Tennessee|Franklin]], [[Moore County, Tennessee|Moore]], and part of [[Lincoln County, Tennessee|Lincoln]] |- | 40 || [[Terri Lynn Weaver]] || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || [[DeKalb County, Tennessee|DeKalb]], [[Smith County, Tennessee|Smith]] and [[Macon County, Tennessee|Macon]] |- | 41 || [[John Mark Windle]] || {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic || [[Fentress County, Tennessee|Fentress]], [[Morgan County, Tennessee|Morgan]], and [[Overton County, Tennessee|Overton]] |- | 42 || [[Ryan Williams]] || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || [[Putnam County, Tennessee|Putnam]] in part |- | 43 || [[Charles Curtiss]] || {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic || [[White County, Tennessee|White]] and parts of [[Putnam County, Tennessee|Putnam]] and [[Warren County, Tennessee|Warren]] |- | 44 || [[Michael Ray McDonald]] || {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic || [[Sumner County, Tennessee|Sumner]] in part |- | 45 || [[Debra Young Maggart]] || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || [[Sumner County, Tennessee|Sumner]] in part |- | 46 || [[Mark Pody]] || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || [[Cannon County, Tennessee|Cannon]], [[Trousdale County, Tennessee|Trousdale]], and part of [[Wilson County, Tennessee|Wilson]] |- | 47 || [[Judd Matheny]] || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || [[Coffee County, Tennessee|Coffee]] and part of [[Warren County, Tennessee|Warren]] |- | 48 || [[Joe C. Carr|Joe Carr]] || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || [[Rutherford County, Tennessee|Rutherford]] in part |- | 49 || [[Mike Sparks]] || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || [[Rutherford County, Tennessee|Rutherford]] in part |- | 50 || [[Gary W. Moore]] || {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic || [[Davidson County, Tennessee|Davidson]] in part |- | 51 || [[Mike Turner (Tennessee politician)|Mike Turner]] || {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic || [[Davidson County, Tennessee|Davidson]] in part |- | 52 || [[Mike Stewart (politician)|Mike Stewart]] || {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic || [[Davidson County, Tennessee|Davidson]] in part |- | 53 || [[Janis Baird Sontany]] || {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic || [[Davidson County, Tennessee|Davidson]] in part |- | 54 || [[Brenda Gilmore]] || {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic || [[Davidson County, Tennessee|Davidson]] in part |- | 55 || [[Gary Odom]] || {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic || [[Davidson County, Tennessee|Davidson]] in part |- | 56 || [[Beth Harwell]], Speaker || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || [[Davidson County, Tennessee|Davidson]] in part |- | 57 || [[Linda Elam]] || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || [[Sumner County, Tennessee|Sumner]] in part and [[Wilson County, Tennessee|Wilson]] in part |- | 58 || [[Mary Pruitt]] || {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic || [[Davidson County, Tennessee|Davidson]] in part |- | 59 || [[Sherry Jones]] || {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic || [[Davidson County, Tennessee|Davidson]] in part |- | 60 || [[Jim Gotto]] || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || [[Davidson County, Tennessee|Davidson]] in part |- | 61 || [[Charles Michael Sargent]] || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || [[Williamson County, Tennessee|Williamson]] in part |- | 62 || [[Pat Marsh]] || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || [[Bedford County, Tennessee|Bedford]] and parts of [[Lincoln County, Tennessee|Lincoln]] and [[Rutherford County, Tennessee|Rutherford]] |- | 63 || [[Glen Casada]] || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || [[Williamson County, Tennessee|Williamson]] in part |- | 64 || [[Sheila Butt]] || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || [[Maury County, Tennessee|Maury]] in part |- | 65 || [[Eddie Bass]] || {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic || [[Giles County, Tennessee|Giles]] and [[Marshall County, Tennessee|Marshall]] |- | 66 || [[Joshua Evans (politician)|Joshua Evans]] || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || [[Robertson County, Tennessee|Robertson]] |- | 67 || [[Joe Pitts]] || {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic || [[Montgomery County, Tennessee|Montgomery]] in part |- | 68 || [[Curtis G. Johnson]] || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || [[Montgomery County, Tennessee|Montgomery]] in part |- | 69 || [[David Shepard]] || {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic || [[Dickson County, Tennessee|Dickson]] and part of [[Hickman County, Tennessee|Hickman]] |- | 70 || [[Joey Hensley]] || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || [[Lawrence County, Tennessee|Lawrence]], [[Lewis County, Tennessee|Lewis]], and part of [[Wayne County, Tennessee|Wayne]] |- | 71 || [[Vance Dennis]] || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || [[Hardin County, Tennessee|Hardin]], [[McNairy County, Tennessee|McNairy]], and part of [[Decatur County, Tennessee|Decatur]] |- | 72 || [[Steve McDaniel]] || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || [[Henderson County, Tennessee|Henderson]], [[Chester County, Tennessee|Chester]], and parts of [[Decatur County, Tennessee|Decatur]] and [[Wayne County, Tennessee|Wayne]] |- | 73 || [[Jimmy A. Eldridge]] || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || [[Madison County, Tennessee|Madison]] in part |- | 74 || [[John C. Tidwell]] || {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic || [[Houston County, Tennessee|Houston]], [[Humphreys County, Tennessee|Humphreys]], [[Perry County, Tennessee|Perry]], and parts of [[Hickman County, Tennessee|Hickman]] and [[Maury County, Tennessee|Maury]] |- | 75 || [[Tim Wirgau]] || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || [[Henry County, Tennessee|Henry]], [[Benton County, Tennessee|Benton]], and [[Stewart County, Tennessee|Stewart]] |- | 76 || [[Andrew Holt]] || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || [[Weakley County, Tennessee|Weakley]] and part of [[Carroll County, Tennessee|Carroll]] |- | 77 || [[Bill Sanderson]] || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || [[Obion County, Tennessee|Obion]], [[Lake County, Tennessee|Lake]], and part of [[Dyer County, Tennessee|Dyer]] |- | 78 || [[Phillip Johnson (Tennessee politician)|Phillip Johnson]] || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || [[Cheatham County, Tennessee|Cheatham]] and parts of [[Montgomery County, Tennessee|Montgomery]] and [[Williamson County, Tennessee|Williamson]] |- | 79 || [[Curtis Halford]] || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || [[Gibson County, Tennessee|Gibson]] and part of [[Carroll County, Tennessee|Carroll]] |- | 80 || [[Johnny Shaw]] || {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic || [[Hardeman County, Tennessee|Hardeman]] and part of [[Madison County, Tennessee|Madison]] |- | 81 || [[Jimmy Naifeh]], Speaker ''emeritus'' || {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic || [[Haywood County, Tennessee|Haywood]] and part of [[Tipton County, Tennessee|Tipton]] |- | 82 || [[Craig Fitzhugh]] || {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic || [[Lauderdale County, Tennessee|Lauderdale]], [[Crockett County, Tennessee|Crockett]], and part of [[Dyer County, Tennessee|Dyer]] |- | 83 || [[Mark White]] || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || [[Shelby County, Tennessee|Shelby]] in part |- | 84 || [[Joe Towns, Jr.]] || {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic || [[Shelby County, Tennessee|Shelby]] in part |- | 85 || [[Johnnie Turner (politician)|Johnnie Turner]] || {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic || [[Shelby County, Tennessee|Shelby]] in part |- | 86 || [[Barbara Cooper (politician)|Barbara Cooper]] || {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic || [[Shelby County, Tennessee|Shelby]] in part |- | 87 || [[Karen Camper]] || {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic || [[Shelby County, Tennessee|Shelby]] in part |- | 88 || [[Larry J. Miller]] || {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic || [[Shelby County, Tennessee|Shelby]] in part |- | 89 || [[Jeanne Richardson]] || {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic || [[Shelby County, Tennessee|Shelby]] in part |- | 90 || [[John J. Deberry, Jr.]] || {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic || [[Shelby County, Tennessee|Shelby]] in part |- | 91 || [[Lois M. DeBerry]] || {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic|| [[Shelby County, Tennessee|Shelby]] in part |- | 92 || [[G. A. Hardaway]] || {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic || [[Shelby County, Tennessee|Shelby]] in part |- | 93 || [[Mike Kernell]] || {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic || [[Shelby County, Tennessee|Shelby]] in part |- | 94 || [[Barrett Rich]] || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || [[Fayette County, Tennessee|Fayette]] and parts of [[Hardeman County, Tennessee|Hardeman]] and [[Tipton County, Tennessee|Tipton]] |- | 95 || [[Curry Todd]] || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || [[Shelby County, Tennessee|Shelby]] in part |- | 96 || [[Steve McManus]] || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || [[Shelby County, Tennessee|Shelby]] in part |- | 97 || [[Jim Coley]] || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || [[Shelby County, Tennessee|Shelby]] in part |- | 98 || [[Antonio Parkinson]] || {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic || [[Shelby County, Tennessee|Shelby]] in part |- | 99 || [[Ron Lollar]] || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || [[Shelby County, Tennessee|Shelby]] in part |} ==External links== *[http://www.capitol.tn.gov/house/ Official website] {{Tennessee House of Representatives}} {{Usleg}} {{Tennessee}} {{coord missing|Tennessee}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Tennessee House Of Representatives}}