Home
State
State Representative, 97th 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.
Taxes & budget
Jesse HusethDemocratic
No documented position found.
John GillespieRepublican
- Sponsored bill allowing a higher county sales tax for jailsIn office
Public safety
Jesse HusethDemocratic
- Proposes state funding for a Shelby County crime lab
- Supports repealing permitless carry and secure gun storage rules
John GillespieRepublican
- Sponsored law requiring DNA samples within 30 days of sentencingIn office
Education
Jesse HusethDemocratic
- Proposes ending vouchers to fund statewide pre-K
- Supports raising educator salaries
John GillespieRepublican
No documented position found.
Health & human services
Jesse HusethDemocratic
- Supports expanding Medicaid
John GillespieRepublican
No documented position found.
Courts & justice
Jesse HusethDemocratic
No documented position found.
John GillespieRepublican
- Sponsored Truth in Sentencing law for violent felons
- Sponsored law limiting release without bail in violent felony casesIn office
- Sponsored law letting courts weigh juvenile records in bond decisionsIn office
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; 5 issues covered in this race.