Joey Hensley

Joey Hensley

Republican Party

Tennessee State Senate District 28

Tenure

2013 - Present

Term ends

2028

Years in position

12

Prior offices

Tennessee House of Representatives District 70

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Compensation

Base salary

$28,405.96/year

Per diem

$326.47/day. Legislators living within 50 miles of the Capitol receive a reduced amount of $47 per day.

Elections and appointments

Last elected

November 5, 2024

Education

Associate

Columbia State Community College

Bachelor's

University of Memphis

Medical

Memphis College of Medicine

Personal

Religion

Pentacostal

Profession

Doctor

Contact

Official website

Official Facebook

Personal Facebook

Joey Hensley (Republican Party) is a member of the Tennessee State Senate, representing District 28. He assumed office on January 15, 2013. His current term ends on November 7, 2028.

Hensley (Republican Party) ran for re-election to the Tennessee State Senate to represent District 28. He won in the general election on November 5, 2024.

Biography

Hensley earned his AS from Columbia State Community College. He went on to receive his B.S. from the University of Memphis. He then earned his MD from the University of Tennessee-Memphis College of Medicine. He is a physician and serves as the Lewis County Medical Examiner.

Committee assignments

Note: This membership information was last updated in September 2023. Ballotpedia completes biannual updates of committee membership. If you would like to send us an update, email us at: editor@ballotpedia.org.

2023-2024

Hensley was assigned to the following committees:

• Senate Education Committee
• Finance, Ways and Means Committee, 2nd Vice Chair
• Health and Welfare Committee
• Pensions and Insurance Committee

2021-2022

Hensley was assigned to the following committees:

• Senate Education Committee
• Finance, Ways and Means Committee, 2nd vice chair
• Health and Welfare Committee

2019-2020

Hensley was assigned to the following committees:

• Pensions and Insurance Committee
• Senate Education Committee
• Health and Welfare Committee
• Finance, Ways and Means Committee, 2nd Vice-Chair

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, Hensley served on the following committees:

Tennessee committee assignments, 2015
• Education
• Finance, Ways and Means
• Health and Welfare, 2nd Vice chair

2013-2014

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

Tennessee committee assignments, 2013
• Education
• Finance, Ways and Means
• Health and Welfare, Vice chair

2011-2012

In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Hensley served on these committees:

Tennessee committee assignments, 2011
• Education, Vice chair
• Health & Human Resources

2009-2010

In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Hensley served on these committees:

Tennessee committee assignments, 2009
• Education
• Health & Human Resources, Vice chair
• Health Equity
• TennCare Oversight

Issues

Presidential preference

2012

See also: Endorsements by state officials of presidential candidates in the 2012 election

Joey Hensley endorsed Rick Santorum in the 2012 presidential election.

Sponsored legislation

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 28

Incumbent Joey Hensley defeated James Dallas in the general election for Tennessee State Senate District 28 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Joey Hensley (R)	74.8	74,286
		James Dallas (D)	25.2	25,086

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 99,372
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Tennessee State Senate District 28

James Dallas advanced from the Democratic primary for Tennessee State Senate District 28 on August 1, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		James Dallas	100.0	3,874

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 3,874
= 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.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Tennessee State Senate District 28

Incumbent Joey Hensley advanced from the Republican primary for Tennessee State Senate District 28 on August 1, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Joey Hensley	100.0	16,642

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 16,642
= 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.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Jim Grippo (R)

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Hensley in this election.

Pledges

Hensley signed the following pledges.

• U.S. Term Limits

2020

See also: Tennessee State Senate elections, 2020

General election

General election for Tennessee State Senate District 28

Incumbent Joey Hensley defeated James Gray in the general election for Tennessee State Senate District 28 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Joey Hensley (R)	78.4	65,050
	Submit photo	James Gray (Independent)	21.6	17,872
		Other/Write-in votes	0.0	3

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 82,925
= 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.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Tennessee State Senate District 28

Incumbent Joey Hensley advanced from the Republican primary for Tennessee State Senate District 28 on August 6, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Joey Hensley	100.0	21,083

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 21,083
= 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.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

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 Joey Hensley defeated Joey Norman in the Tennessee State Senate District 28 general election.

Tennessee State Senate, District 28 General Election, 2016
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Joey Hensley Incumbent	74.59%	51,251
	Independent	Joey Norman	25.41%	17,460
Total Votes				68,711
Source: Tennessee Secretary of State

Incumbent Joey Hensley ran unopposed in the Tennessee State Senate District 28 Republican primary.

Tennessee State Senate, District 28 Republican Primary, 2016
Party		Candidate
	Republican	Joey Hensley Incumbent (unopposed)

2012

See also: Tennessee State Senate elections, 2012

Hensley won election in the 2012 election for Tennessee State Senate District 28. Hensley defeated Dean Dickey in the August 2 Republican primary and defeated Tyler Cobb (D) in the general election, which took place on November 6, 2012.

Tennessee State Senate, District 28, General Election, 2012

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Joey Hensley	55.2%	37,361
	Democratic	Tyler Cobb	44.8%	30,375
Total Votes				67,736

Tennessee State Senate, District 28 Republican Primary, 2012

Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Joey Hensley	76.6%	12,589
Dean Dickey	23.4%	3,847
Total Votes		16,436

2010

See also: Tennessee House of Representatives elections, 2010

Hensley ran for re-election to the 70th District seat in 2010. He was unopposed in the August 5 primary. He defeated Democrat Calvin Moore in the general election on November 2, 2010.

2008

On Nov. 4, 2008, Hensley won re-election to the 70th District Seat in the Tennessee House of Representatives, defeating opponent J.W. Hampton Sr. (D).

Hensley raised $61,770 for his campaign while Hampton raised $3,590.

Tennessee House of Representatives, District 70 (2008)
Candidates		Votes
Joey Hensley (R)		14,976
J.W. Hampton Sr. (D)		4,892

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Joey Hensley did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

2020

Joey Hensley did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

Campaign finance summary

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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.

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Joey Hensley campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2024*	Tennessee State Senate District 28	Won general	$163,278	$61,287
2020	Tennessee State Senate District 28	Won general	$75,188	N/A**
2016	Tennessee State Senate, District 28	Won	$203,877	N/A**
2012	Tennessee State Senate, District 28/Tennessee State House, District 70*	Won	$522,215	N/A**
2010	Tennessee State House, District 70	Won	$80,605	N/A**
2008	Tennessee State House, District 70	Won	$61,770	N/A**
2006	Tennessee State House, District 70	Won	$99,137	N/A**
2004	Tennessee State House, District 70	Won	$98,278	N/A**
2002	Tennessee State House, District 70	Won	$37,395	N/A**
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

Scorecards

See also: State legislative scorecards and 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 Tennessee scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.

2024

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2024, click [show].

In 2024, the Tennessee State Legislature was in session from January 9 to April 25. Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce Legislators are scored based on their votes on the business community. National Federation of Independent Business Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. Tennesseans for Student Success Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to education. Tennessee Right to Life Legislators are scored on bills related to reproductive health issues.

2023

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2023, click [show].

In 2023, the Tennessee State Legislature was in session from January 10 to April 21. Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce Legislators are scored based on their votes on the business community. Tennesseans for Student Success Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to education. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. The Institute for Legislative Analysis Legislators are scored on their adherence to the limited government principles of the U.S. Constitution.

2022

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2022, click [show].

In 2022, the Tennessee State Legislature was in session from January 11 to April 28. Americans for Prosperity Tennessee Legislators are scored on their stances on conservative fiscal policy. Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce Legislators are scored based on their votes on the business community. National Federation of Independent Business Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. Tennesseans for Student Success Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to education. Tennessee Right to Life Legislators are scored on bills related to reproductive health issues.

2021

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show].

In 2021, the Tennessee State Legislature was in session from January 12 to May 5. Americans for Prosperity Tennessee Legislators are scored on their stances on conservative fiscal policy. Club for Growth Foundation Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues. Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce Legislators are scored based on their votes on the business community. Tennesseans for Student Success Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to education. Tennessee Right to Life Legislators are scored on bills related to reproductive health issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2020

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show].

In 2020, the Tennessee State Legislature was in session from January 14 to June 19. Club for Growth Foundation Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues. Family Action of Tennessee: Senate and House Legislators are scored on their votes on social issues. National Federation of Independent Business Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. Tennesseans for Student Success (Select year on the side pull-down menu.) Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to education. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2019

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show].

In 2019, the Tennessee General Assembly was in session January 8 through May 2. Club for Growth Foundation Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues. Tennesseans for Student Success House and Senate (select year on the side pull-down menu) Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to education. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2018

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show].

In 2018, the 110th Tennessee General Assembly, second session, was in session January 9 to April 27. Family Action of Tennessee Legislators are scored on their votes on social issues. National Federation of Independent Business Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to small business issues. Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry Legislators are scored on their votes on business issues. Tennessee Conservation Voters Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental issues. Tennesseans for Student Success House and Senate (select year on the side pull-down menu) Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to education. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2017

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show].

In 2017, the 110th Tennessee General Assembly, first session, was in session January 10 to May 10. Family Action of Tennessee Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry Legislators are scored on their votes on business issues. Tennessee Conservation Voters Legislators are scored on their votes related to conservation and environmental issues. Tennesseans for Student Success House and Senate (select year on side pull down menu) Legislators are scored on their votes on education related issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2016

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show].

In 2016, the 109th Tennessee General Assembly, second year, was in session from January 12 through April 22 Americans for Prosperity-Tennessee: 2015-2016 scorecard Legislators are scored on their votes on fiscal legislation. Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce: 2016 Scorecard Legislators are scored by the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce on "issues in the chamber’s four key policy baskets: Business-friendly environment, workforce development, quality of life and regional efforts to encourage economic prosperity." Tennessee Conservation Voters: 2016 Scorecard Legislators are scored on their votes related to conservation and environmental issues. Tennessee National Federation of Independent Business: 2016 voting record Legislators are scored on their votes on small business issues. The American Conservative Union: 2016 scorecard Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2015

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show].

In 2015, the 109th Tennessee General Assembly, first year, was in session from January 13 through April 22. Americans for Prosperity-Tennessee: 2015-2016 scorecard Legislators are scored on their votes on fiscal legislation. Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce: 2015 Scorecard Legislators are scored by the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce on "issues in the chamber’s four key policy baskets: Business-friendly environment, workforce development, quality of life and regional efforts to encourage economic prosperity." Tennessee Conservation Voters: 2015 Scorecard Legislators are scored on their votes related to conservation and environmental issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2014

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2014, click [show].

In 2014, the 108th Tennessee General Assembly, second year, was in session from January 14 to April 18. Tennessee Conservation Voters: 2014 Scorecard Legislators are scored on their votes related to conservation and environmental issues. Tennessee National Federation of Independent Business: 2013-2014 Voting Record Legislators are scored on their votes on small business issues. The American Conservative Union: 2014 Scorecard Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2013

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2013, click [show].

In 2013, the 108th Tennessee General Assembly, first year, was in session from January 8 to April 19. Tennessee Conservation Voters: 2013 Scorecard Legislators are scored on their votes related to conservation and environmental issues. Tennessee National Federation of Independent Business: 2013-2014 Voting Record Legislators are scored on their votes on small business issues. The American Conservative Union: 2013 Scorecard Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2012

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2012, click [show].
In 2012, the 107th Tennessee General Assembly, second year, was in session from January 10 through May 1. Tennessee Right to Life: Senate and House Legislators were scored on bills related to reproductive health issues.

2011

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2011, click [show].
In 2011, the 107th Tennessee General Assembly, first year, was in session from January 11 to May 21. Tennessee Conservation Voters: 2011 Scorecard Legislators were scored on their votes relating to conservation and environmental issues. Tennessee Right to Life: Senate and House Legislators were scored on bills related to reproductive health issues.

Personal

Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.

Hensley and his wife, Gina, have two children. They currently reside in Hohenwald, Tennessee.

See also

2024 Elections

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External links

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Officeholder

Tennessee State Senate District 28

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Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by -	Tennessee State Senate District 28 2013-Present	Succeeded by -
Preceded by -	Tennessee House of Representatives District 70 2003-2013	Succeeded by -

[show]

Current members of the Tennessee State Senate

Leadership

Senate President:Randy McNally

Minority Leader:Raumesh Akbari

Senators

District 1

J. Lowe (R)

District 2

Tom Hatcher (R)

District 3

Rusty Crowe (R)

District 4

Bobby Harshbarger (R)

District 5

Randy McNally (R)

District 6

Becky Massey (R)

District 7

Richard Briggs (R)

District 8

Jessie Seal (R)

District 9

Steve Southerland (R)

District 10

Todd Gardenhire (R)

District 11

Bo Watson (R)

District 12

Ken Yager (R)

District 13

Dawn White (R)

District 14

Shane Reeves (R)

District 15

Paul Bailey (R)

District 16

Janice Bowling (R)

District 17

Mark Pody (R)

District 18

Ferrell Haile (R)

District 19

Charlane Oliver (D)

District 20

Heidi Campbell (D)

District 21

Jeff Yarbro (D)

District 22

Bill Powers (R)

District 23

Kerry Roberts (R)

District 24

John Stevens (R)

District 25

Ed Jackson (R)

District 26

Page Walley (R)

District 27

Jack Johnson (R)

District 28

Joey Hensley (R)

District 29

Raumesh Akbari (D)

District 30

Sara Kyle (D)

District 31

Brent Taylor (R)

District 32

Paul Rose (R)

District 33

London Lamar (D)

Republican Party (27)

Democratic Party (6)