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State Representative, 35th District

Vote for
1
Term
2 years
Candidates
2
Election
Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: A state representative votes on Tennessee laws and the state budget in the Tennessee House of Representatives.

Public safety

  • Phil BarnesDemocratic

    • Supports gun licensing, annual training and liability insurance.
    • Opposes selling military-style weapons to the general public.
  • William SlaterRepublican

    • Opposes state or local limits on gun rights.

Education

  • Phil BarnesDemocratic

    • Pledges to work to end school vouchers.
  • William SlaterRepublican

    • Sponsored law allowing adult public charter schools.In office

Health & human services

  • Phil BarnesDemocratic

    • Supports overhauling public benefits to remove the benefits cliff.
  • William SlaterRepublican

    • Opposes abortion and supports expanding adoption options.
    • Sponsored law giving state employees paid leave for fostering.In office

Government & transparency

  • Phil BarnesDemocratic

    • Proposes accepting the voter registration card as voter ID.
  • William SlaterRepublican

    • Opposes big government and federal overreach.

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 4 issues covered in this race.