The Gist
State Senator, 23rd District
Photo of Kerry Roberts
Kerry RobertsOfficial portrait — Tennessee General Assembly (embedded in the member page)

Kerry Roberts

Candidate for State Senator, 23rd District

RepublicanIncumbent

Background

Occupation
State senator; CPA and small business owner
Lives in
Springfield
Campaign website
kerryroberts.com

Certified public accountant and small business owner who has represented Senate District 23 since 2015 (109th-114th General Assemblies) and is vice chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

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Photo: Official portrait — Tennessee General Assembly (embedded in the member page)

Documented positions

Public safety

  • Supports legal immigration and opposes illegal immigration.

    Issues - Senator Kerry Roberts

    Campaign website · Friends of Kerry Roberts · kerryroberts.com

    “I'm for LEGAL immigration and against ILLEGAL immigration.”
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Education

  • Opposes Common Core education standards.

    Issues - Senator Kerry Roberts

    Campaign website · Friends of Kerry Roberts · kerryroberts.com

    “those who recognized early on that Common Core was about power, not education.”
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Economy & jobs

  • Sponsored state reporting of foreign purchases of Tennessee land.In office

    Prime sponsor of SB0519 in the 114th General Assembly (2025-2026). Enacted (Public Chapter 337).

    Legislation sponsored by Senator Kerry Roberts, 114th General Assembly

    Government record · Tennessee General Assembly · Bills Sponsored: SB0519 · wapp.capitol.tn.gov

    “requires foreign persons who purchase land in this state and who file a report of such purchase to the United States department of agriculture”
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Environment & parks

  • Sponsored protections for Buffalo and Duck river segments.In office

    Prime sponsor of SB1590 in the 114th General Assembly (2025-2026). Enacted; took effect May 5, 2026. The segments are designated Class II pastoral river areas.

    Legislation sponsored by Senator Kerry Roberts, 114th General Assembly

    Government record · Tennessee General Assembly · Bills Sponsored: SB1590 · wapp.capitol.tn.gov

    “designates segments of the Buffalo River, Duck River, and certain other rivers and creeks as Class II pastoral river areas”
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Health & human services

  • Opposes abortion, holding that life begins at conception.

    Issues - Senator Kerry Roberts

    Campaign website · Friends of Kerry Roberts · kerryroberts.com

    “I'm 100% pro life with the belief that life begins at conception.”
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  • Supports medical cannabis reform.

    From a 2018 post on his campaign site's issues page.

    Issues - Senator Kerry Roberts

    Campaign website · Friends of Kerry Roberts · kerryroberts.com

    “I'm in favor of medical cannabis reform.”
    Report

All sources (14)

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.