The Gist
State Representative, 97th District
Photo of John Gillespie
John GillespieOfficial portrait — Tennessee General Assembly

John Gillespie

Candidate for State Representative, 97th District

RepublicanIncumbent

Background

Occupation
State representative; nonprofit development
Lives in
Memphis
Campaign website
repjohngillespie.com

First elected to the House in 2020, representing District 97 (part of Shelby County), and vice chair of the House Finance, Ways and Means Committee. A native Memphian who has worked in banking and nonprofit fundraising and serves on the Memphis-Shelby County Crime Commission board.

Report

Photo: Official portrait — Tennessee General Assembly

Documented positions

Taxes & budget

  • Sponsored bill allowing a higher county sales tax for jailsIn office

    Prime sponsor of HB0308 in the 114th General Assembly (2025-2026). Failed in the State & Local Government Committee; the added revenue would have gone only to building a new county jail or paying off its debt.

    Legislation sponsored by Representative John Gillespie, 114th General Assembly

    Government record · Tennessee General Assembly · Bills Sponsored: HB0308 · wapp.capitol.tn.gov

    “authorizes certain counties to levy a local option sales tax at the rate of 3.75 percent, instead of a maximum of 2.75 percent”
    Report

Public safety

  • Sponsored law requiring DNA samples within 30 days of sentencingIn office

    Prime sponsor of HB0341 in the 114th General Assembly (2025-2026). Enacted (Public Chapter 63).

    Legislation sponsored by Representative John Gillespie, 114th General Assembly

    Government record · Tennessee General Assembly · Bills Sponsored: HB0341 · wapp.capitol.tn.gov

    “requires collection of a biological specimen from certain convicted offenders to be collected within 30 days of sentencing”
    Report

Courts & justice

  • Sponsored Truth in Sentencing law for violent felons

    About — John Gillespie for Tennessee House District 97

    Campaign website · Friends of John Gillespie · repjohngillespie.com

    “He was a sponsor of Tennessee’s “Truth in Sentencing” law requiring violent felons to serve their entire prison sentence.”
    Report

  • Sponsored law limiting release without bail in violent felony casesIn office

    Prime sponsor of HB0033 in the 114th General Assembly (2025-2026). Enacted (Public Chapter 604); the presumption applies to felonies involving a firearm or causing serious bodily injury or death.

    Legislation sponsored by Representative John Gillespie, 114th General Assembly

    Government record · Tennessee General Assembly · Bills Sponsored: HB0033 · wapp.capitol.tn.gov

    “establishes a presumption that a defendant should not be released on the defendant’s personal recognizance if the defendant is charged with a felony offense”
    Report

  • Sponsored law letting courts weigh juvenile records in bond decisionsIn office

    Prime sponsor of HB0034 in the 114th General Assembly (2025-2026). Enacted (Public Chapter 414).

    Legislation sponsored by Representative John Gillespie, 114th General Assembly

    Government record · Tennessee General Assembly · Bills Sponsored: HB0034 · wapp.capitol.tn.gov

    “permits a court to use juvenile court records, including the disposition and evidence, in pretrial reports used to set bond”
    Report

Other issues in this race

Other candidates in this race addressed these topics. We found no documented position from John Gillespie on them.

  • EducationNo documented position found.
  • Health & human servicesNo documented position found.

All sources (6)

Positions are summarized from the sources listed and are not inferred from party affiliation. Items marked “Provided by” were published by the candidate's verified campaign or party office under our campaign content standards. See something wrong? Use the Report link beside it, or contact us.