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Ferrell Haile

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Ferrell Haile
Republican Party
Tennessee State Senate District 18
Tenure
2012 - Present
Term ends
2028
Years in position
14
Compensation
Base salary
$33,060/year
Per diem
$379.44/day. Legislators living within 50 miles of the Capitol receive a reduced amount of $86 per day.
Elections and appointments
Last election
November 5, 2024
Education
Bachelor's
University of Tennessee
Personal
Birthplace
Gallatin, TN
Religion
Christian
Profession
Pharmacist/Farmer
Contact
Official website
Official Facebook
Campaign website
Campaign X
Campaign Instagram
Campaign YouTube
Personal Facebook
Personal Instagram
Personal LinkedIn

Ferrell Haile (Republican Party) is a member of the Tennessee State Senate, representing District 18. He assumed office in 2012. His current term ends on November 7, 2028.

Haile (Republican Party) ran for re-election to the Tennessee State Senate to represent District 18. He won in the general election on November 5, 2024.

Haile was initially appointed as Republican senator for District 18 of the Tennessee State Senate on November 22, 2010. He served in that capacity until the special election held on March 8, 2011.[1] Haile's appointment was the result of the resignation of former Senator Diane Black. Black resigned from her position as senator in late November, 2010 after she won the election for Congress, representing Tennessee's 6th District.[2]

Haile has served as state Senate president pro tempore since 2018.[3]

Biography

Ferrell Haile was born in Gallatin, Tennessee. He earned a bachelor's degree from Lipscomb University and the University of Tennessee Pharmacy School in 1970. Haile's career experience includes working as a farmer, pharmacist, and as an elected official.[4]

Committee assignments

2023-2024

Haile was assigned to the following committees:

2021-2022

Haile was assigned to the following committees:

2019-2020

Haile was assigned to the following committees:

2017 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:

Tennessee committee assignments, 2017
• Education
• Finance, Ways and Means
• Health and Welfare, Vice chair

2015 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Haile served on the following committees:

2013-2014

In the 2013-2014 legislative session, Haile served on the following committees:

The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.

Elections

2024

See also: Tennessee State Senate elections, 2024

General election

General election for Tennessee State Senate District 18

Incumbent Ferrell Haile defeated Walter Chandler, John Gentry, and Laura Black in the general election for Tennessee State Senate District 18 on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Ferrell Haile
Ferrell Haile (R)
 
67.6
 
64,367
Image of Walter Chandler
Walter Chandler (D) Candidate Connection
 
24.7
 
23,524
Image of John Gentry
John Gentry (Independent) Candidate Connection
 
4.2
 
3,956
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Laura Black (Independent)
 
3.5
 
3,375

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 95,222
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Tennessee State Senate District 18

Walter Chandler advanced from the Democratic primary for Tennessee State Senate District 18 on August 1, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Walter Chandler
Walter Chandler Candidate Connection
 
100.0
 
3,194

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 3,194
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Tennessee State Senate District 18

Incumbent Ferrell Haile defeated Chris Spencer in the Republican primary for Tennessee State Senate District 18 on August 1, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Ferrell Haile
Ferrell Haile
 
59.2
 
9,685
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Chris Spencer
 
40.8
 
6,684

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 16,369
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Haile in this election.

2020

See also: Tennessee State Senate elections, 2020

General election

General election for Tennessee State Senate District 18

Incumbent Ferrell Haile defeated John Gentry in the general election for Tennessee State Senate District 18 on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Ferrell Haile
Ferrell Haile (R) Candidate Connection
 
72.2
 
68,141
Image of John Gentry
John Gentry (Independent) Candidate Connection
 
27.8
 
26,261

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 94,402
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Tennessee State Senate District 18

Incumbent Ferrell Haile advanced from the Republican primary for Tennessee State Senate District 18 on August 6, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Ferrell Haile
Ferrell Haile Candidate Connection
 
100.0
 
18,923

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 18,923
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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2016

See also: Tennessee State Senate elections, 2016

Elections for the Tennessee State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election was held on August 4, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was April 7, 2016.

Incumbent Ferrell Haile ran unopposed in the Tennessee State Senate District 18 general election.[5][6]

Tennessee State Senate, District 18 General Election, 2016
Party Candidate
    Republican Green check mark transparent.png Ferrell Haile Incumbent (unopposed)
Source: Tennessee Secretary of State



Incumbent Ferrell Haile ran unopposed in the Tennessee State Senate District 18 Republican primary.[7][8]

Tennessee State Senate, District 18 Republican Primary, 2016
Party Candidate
    Republican Green check mark transparent.png Ferrell Haile Incumbent (unopposed)

2012

See also: Tennessee State Senate elections, 2012

Haile won election in the 2012 election for Tennessee State Senate District 18. Haile advanced past the August 2 Republican primary and defeated Maria A. Brewer (D) in the general election, which took place on November 6, 2012.[9]

Tennessee State Senate, District 18, General Election, 2012
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngFerrell Haile 69.2% 49,472
     Democratic Maria Brewer 30.8% 21,970
Total Votes 71,442
Tennessee State Senate, District 18 Republican Primary, 2012
Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngFerrell Haile 48.2% 8,627
Jeff Coker 42.1% 7,527
J.H. Tony Allers 7.7% 1,370
Brock Ewell 2.1% 367
Total Votes 17,891

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Ferrell Haile did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

2020

Candidate Connection

Ferrell Haile completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Haile's responses.

Expand all | Collapse all

I grew up in Gallatin, TN on the family farm, graduated from Gallatin High School, attended Lipscomb University and graduated from University of Tennessee Pharmacy School. I am married to my high school sweet heart (51 years) and we have 4 children and 8 grandchildren. Shortly after returning to Gallatin following pharmacy school, I became co-owner of several pharmacies which covered over 40 years of independent pharmacy ownership. We continue to operate the family farm raising cattle and hay. I received the rank of Eagle Scout, served as deacon and elder in the church of Christ, and have been president of the Rotary Club on two occasions. I currently serve as president of the local Southeast Community Fire Department. I have served on several boards of my profession and local non profits. I currently serve as Speaker Pro Tem in the Tennessee Senate, V. Chair of Health Committee, and member of Education and Finance Committees.
  • As a member of Finance, it is important to have the business experience to produce a responsible balanced budget.
  • As a member of Education, it is important to put children first in the education process.
  • Eight percent of a child's brain development takes place between zero and five years of age. Toxic stress affects this development and is displayed in below level reading skills in the third grade. We have to help provide a safe environment for children to thrive.
I have been the author of "Safe Baby Courts" in Tennessee. These courts are reducing the time for a child in state custody reaching a permanent home from three years to twelve months, with a goal of nine months. A child having a permanent home reduces toxic stress, thus allowing the correct brain development. This is a win for the child, the parents, and/or adopted parents, and the tax payor. It is important for the children in the custody of the state to be given an opportunity to thrive. The Safe Baby Courts are providing an opportunity for biological parents to become good parents or come to the realization they need help. I will be working to expand these courts in Tennessee.
Jesus Christ
Truth, honesty, and integrity
To search for the truth and then follow it.
I helped make life better for disadvantage children.
The most defining historical event was the assassination of President Kennedy when I was a sophomore in high school.
My first paying job off the farm was a sack boy at A&P grocery for 5 years except when I was at college.
The House is more locally focused, whereas I believe the Senate has a broader view of state issues.
Some days yes, some days no, however I believe it is important that there are members that have legislative memory to share the experience of past legislation.
To maintain discipline when times are good.
No

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Campaign finance summary

Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

Ferrell Haile campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2024Tennessee State Senate District 18Won general$991,670 $1,111,494
2020Tennessee State Senate District 18Won general$326,266 N/A**
2016Tennessee State Senate, District 18Won $301,550 N/A**
2012Tennessee State Senate, District 18Won $326,906 N/A**
2000Tennessee State Senate, District 18Lost $186,553 N/A**
Grand total$2,132,945 $1,111,494
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Election Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

Scorecards

See also: State legislative scorecards, State legislative scorecards in Tennessee

A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.

Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.

Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Tennessee General Assembly in 2025.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Tennessee General Assembly in 2024.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Tennessee General Assembly in 2023.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Tennessee General Assembly in 2022.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Tennessee General Assembly in 2021.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Tennessee General Assembly in 2020.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Tennessee General Assembly in 2019.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Tennessee General Assembly in 2018.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Tennessee General Assembly in 2017.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Tennessee General Assembly in 2016.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Tennessee General Assembly in 2015.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Tennessee General Assembly in 2014.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Tennessee General Assembly in 2013.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Tennessee General Assembly in 2012.

Personal

Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Haile and his wife, Kay, have four children and five grandchildren. They reside in Gallatin, Tennessee.

See also

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External links

Candidate

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    Footnotes

    1. ↑ Tennessee Senate Republican Caucus, "Senator Ferrell Haile takes oath of office," November 30, 2010
    2. ↑ TNReport, "Diane Black resigns from State Senate position," November 6, 2010
    3. ↑ The Tennessean, "Senator Ferrell Haile appointed Speaker Pro Tempore," January 19, 2018
    4. ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on July 23, 2020
    5. ↑ The New York Times, "Election 2016," accessed November 11, 2016
    6. ↑ Tennessee Secretary of State, "2016 general election results - Tennessee State Senate," accessed January 19, 2017
    7. ↑ Tennessee Secretary of State, "Candidate Petitions Filed as of April 8, 2016 Noon Qualifying Deadline," accessed April 11, 2016
    8. ↑ Tennessee Secretary of State, "August 4, 2016 Unofficial Election Results," accessed August 4, 2016
    9. ↑ Tennessee Department of State - Elections, "List of 2012 Candidates," accessed July 5, 2012

    Political offices
    Preceded by
    -     		Tennessee State Senate District 18
    2012-Present    		 Succeeded by
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