Steve Southerland
Candidate for State Senator, 9th District
Background
- Occupation
- State senator; mortgage broker
- Lives in
- Morristown
State senator for District 9 since 2003 (103rd-114th General Assemblies) and the Senate's deputy speaker. A mortgage broker from Morristown.
Documented positions
Taxes & budget
Sponsored a grocery tax exemption for residents 65 and older.In office
Prime sponsor of SB2603 in the 114th General Assembly (2025-2026). Introduced in 2026 and assigned to a Senate finance subcommittee; it did not advance.
ReportLegislation sponsored by Senator Steve Southerland, 114th General AssemblyGovernment record · Tennessee General Assembly · Bills Sponsored: SB2603 · wapp.capitol.tn.gov
“exempts the retail sale of food and food ingredients from the sales tax if sold to a person who is 65 or older”
Environment & parks
Sponsored a criminal offense for feeding black bears.In office
Prime sponsor of SB2597 in the 114th General Assembly (2025-2026). Enacted; takes effect July 1, 2026. It also lets the wildlife agency partner with local police on wildlife law enforcement.
ReportLegislation sponsored by Senator Steve Southerland, 114th General AssemblyGovernment record · Tennessee General Assembly · Bills Sponsored: SB2597 · wapp.capitol.tn.gov
“creates a criminal offense for feeding black bears under certain circumstances.”
Government & transparency
Sponsored law adding Hamblen County to a convenience-voting pilot.In office
Prime sponsor of SB0981 in the 114th General Assembly (2025-2026). Enacted; took effect May 5, 2025.
ReportLegislation sponsored by Senator Steve Southerland, 114th General AssemblyGovernment record · Tennessee General Assembly · Bills Sponsored: SB0981 · wapp.capitol.tn.gov
“authorizes Hamblen County to participate in the convenience voting center pilot project.”
All sources (13)
- November 3, 2026 State and Federal General Election Candidate Lists (Cocke County offices and districts)
Election filing · Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Elections · sos.tn.gov
- Sample Ballot, November 3, 2026 Election, Cocke County, TN (State and Federal General Election, City of Newport and Town of Parrottsville Municipal Elections)
Election filing · Cocke County Election Commission · cockecountyelections.org
- November 3, 2026 State and Federal General Election Candidate Lists (Greene County offices and districts)
Election filing · Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Elections · sos.tn.gov
- Sample Ballot, State and Federal General Election and City of Tusculum Municipal Election, Greene County, November 3, 2026
Election filing · Greene County Election Commission · bisgreengovprd.wpenginepowered.com
- November 3, 2026 State and Federal General Election Candidate Lists (Hamblen County offices and districts)
Election filing · Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Elections · sos.tn.gov
- Official Ballot, State and Federal General Election and Morristown City Election, Hamblen County, Tennessee, November 3, 2026 (sample ballot)
Election filing · Hamblen County Election Commission · hamblencountytn.gov
- November 3, 2026 State and Federal General Election Candidate Lists (Sevier County offices and districts)
Election filing · Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Elections · sos.tn.gov
- Official Ballot, State and Federal General Election and Town of Pittman Center Municipal Election, November 3, 2026 (sample ballot)
Election filing · Sevier County Election Commission · seviercountytn.gov
- November 3, 2026 State and Federal General Election Candidate Lists
Election filing · Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Elections · sos.tn.gov
- November 3, 2026 State and Federal General Election Candidate Lists (Unicoi County offices and districts)
Election filing · Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Elections · sos.tn.gov
- Official Ballot, State and Federal General Election, Unicoi County, Tennessee, November 3, 2026 (sample ballot, incl. Town of Erwin and Town of Unicoi municipal elections)
Election filing · Unicoi County Election Commission · unicoivotes.com
- Senator Steve Southerland, member page, Tennessee General Assembly
Government record · Tennessee General Assembly · wapp.capitol.tn.gov
- Legislation sponsored by Senator Steve Southerland, 114th General Assembly
Government record · Tennessee General Assembly · wapp.capitol.tn.gov
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.