John Ray Clemmons
2014 - Present
2026
10
John Ray Clemmons (Democratic Party) is a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives, representing District 55. He assumed office on November 4, 2014. His current term ends on November 3, 2026.
Clemmons (Democratic Party) is running for re-election to the Tennessee House of Representatives to represent District 55. He declared candidacy for the 2026 election.[source]
Elections
2026
See also: Tennessee House of Representatives elections, 2026
General election
The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.
General election for Tennessee House of Representatives District 55
Incumbent John Ray Clemmons is running in the general election for Tennessee House of Representatives District 55 on November 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | John Ray Clemmons (D) | |
| ||||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Endorsements
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2024
See also: Tennessee House of Representatives elections, 2024
General election
General election for Tennessee House of Representatives District 55
Incumbent John Ray Clemmons won election in the general election for Tennessee House of Representatives District 55 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | John Ray Clemmons (D) | 100.0 | 13,388 |
| Total votes: 13,388 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 55
Incumbent John Ray Clemmons advanced from the Democratic primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 55 on August 1, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | John Ray Clemmons | 100.0 | 2,432 |
| Total votes: 2,432 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Clemmons in this election.
2022
See also: Tennessee House of Representatives elections, 2022
General election
General election for Tennessee House of Representatives District 55
Incumbent John Ray Clemmons won election in the general election for Tennessee House of Representatives District 55 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | John Ray Clemmons (D) | 100.0 | 7,551 |
| Total votes: 7,551 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 55
Incumbent John Ray Clemmons advanced from the Democratic primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 55 on August 4, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | John Ray Clemmons | 100.0 | 2,601 |
| Total votes: 2,601 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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2020
See also: Tennessee House of Representatives elections, 2020
General election
General election for Tennessee House of Representatives District 55
Incumbent John Ray Clemmons won election in the general election for Tennessee House of Representatives District 55 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | John Ray Clemmons (D) | 100.0 | 25,707 |
| Total votes: 25,707 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 55
Incumbent John Ray Clemmons advanced from the Democratic primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 55 on August 6, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | John Ray Clemmons | 100.0 | 8,994 |
| Total votes: 8,994 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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2019
See also: Mayoral election in Nashville, Tennessee (2019)
General runoff election
General runoff election for Mayor of Nashville
John Cooper defeated incumbent David Briley in the general runoff election for Mayor of Nashville on September 12, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | John Cooper (Nonpartisan) | 69.1 | 62,440 |
 | David Briley (Nonpartisan) | 30.2 | 27,281 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.7 | 621 | ||
| Total votes: 90,342 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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General election
General election for Mayor of Nashville
The following candidates ran in the general election for Mayor of Nashville on August 1, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | John Cooper (Nonpartisan) | 35.0 | 35,676 |
| ✔ | | David Briley (Nonpartisan) | 25.3 | 25,786 |
 | Carol Swain (Nonpartisan) | 22.0 | 22,387 | |
| John Ray Clemmons (Nonpartisan) | 16.1 | 16,391 | |
 | Julia Clark-Johnson (Nonpartisan) | 0.4 | 404 | |
 | Bernie Cox (Nonpartisan) | 0.3 | 337 | |
 | Jimmy Lawrence (Nonpartisan) | 0.3 | 305 | |
 | Jody Ball (Nonpartisan) | 0.3 | 280 | |
| Nolan Starnes (Nonpartisan) | 0.1 | 129 | ||
 | Jon Sewell (Nonpartisan) | 0.0 | 24 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 83 | ||
| Total votes: 101,802 | |||
| = 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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2018
See also: Tennessee House of Representatives elections, 2018
General election
General election for Tennessee House of Representatives District 55
Incumbent John Ray Clemmons won election in the general election for Tennessee House of Representatives District 55 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | John Ray Clemmons (D) | 100.0 | 19,745 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.0 | 2 | ||
| Total votes: 19,747 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 55
Incumbent John Ray Clemmons advanced from the Democratic primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 55 on August 2, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | John Ray Clemmons | 100.0 | 6,645 |
| Total votes: 6,645 | |||
| = 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
Elections for the Tennessee House of Representatives 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 John Ray Clemmons ran unopposed in the Tennessee House of Representatives District 55 general election.[1][2]
| Tennessee House of Representatives, District 55 General Election, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Democratic |  John Ray Clemmons Incumbent (unopposed) | |
| Source: Tennessee Secretary of State | ||
Incumbent John Ray Clemmons ran unopposed in the Tennessee House of Representatives District 55 Democratic primary.[3][4]
| Tennessee House of Representatives, District 55 Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Democratic | John Ray Clemmons Incumbent (unopposed) | |
2014
Elections for 99 seats in the Tennessee House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on August 7, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was April 3, 2014. Incumbent Gary Odom was defeated by John Ray Clemmons in the Democratic primary. Clemmons was unopposed in the general election.[5][6]
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
|---|---|---|
|
John Ray Clemmons |
53.7% | 2,401 |
| Gary Odom | 46.3% | 2,074 |
| Total Votes | 4,475 | |
Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
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2024
John Ray Clemmons did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.
2022
John Ray Clemmons did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
2020
John Ray Clemmons did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.
2019
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
John Ray Clemmons did not complete Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey.
Campaign website
The following were found on Clemmons' campaign website.
| “ |
QUALITY OF LIFE John Ray Clemmons is committed to creating an equitable vision for Nashville’s future. One that will protect the character of our neighborhoods and empower residents. No issue can be solved in a silo, but instead requires a holistic approach. Working together, we can build a better Nashville - a Nashville that prioritizes the well being of its people through a budget that reflects our values. A Clemmons Administration, guided by our core values, will improve the quality of life of all Nashvillians. Core Values
Fiscal Responsibility
Priorities
Strong Neighborhoods
Teamwork
AFFORDABLE HOUSING Nashville has an affordable housing crisis - right now. It is only going to get worse if we do not take action. In six years, our city is estimated to have a shortage of 31,000 units for middle and low-income families. Our educators, first responders, Metro workers, artists, and entrepreneurs are being priced out of our county. Everyone deserves an opportunity to call Nashville home. John Ray will work to end our affordable housing crisis by building a comprehensive plan to address affordability, create new housing stock, establish sustainable public and private partnerships, and mitigate displacement and homelessness because he believes that no neighborhood should be off limits to anyone. EDUCATION John Ray Clemmons recognizes the importance of listening to teachers, keeping our promises and fully-funding MNPS. He is committed to providing a meaningful educational experience for all children. John Ray believes we should empower every child to meet their potential and become thriving members of society and our workforce. John Ray believes the Mayor's office should serve as a partner with the MNPS Board of Education and the Director of Schools to support the families of our 86,000 Nashville school children. As Mayor, John Ray Clemmons will ensure that the leadership at MNPS reflects the cultural and linguistic diversity of our city and includes the expertise in the vast range of need our students have while also being responsive to the needs and expectations of Nashville's various communities. FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY John Ray understands that we have built great things in our city but we must be mindful of our residents' quality of life and protect what makes Nashville, Nashville. Whether it's a small business or church in our neighborhood, a locally owned music venue, or even the fairgrounds, we must be intentional and purposeful in our planning and growth so that the soul of our city is not lost. John Ray believes that the Metro budget is more than just numbers on a spreadsheet -- it's an accord between elected officials and residents that demonstrates our city's priorities. John Ray Clemmons wants Nashville to become the city that we envision - one that ensures equity, creates opportunity, and demands justice for ALL of its residents. That's why he will work towards a budget that reflects our priorities, addresses our most pressing challenges, and demonstrates a thoughtful plan and clear vision for our future. INFRASTRUCTURE John Ray Clemmons knows that it is time to invest in our neighborhoods. Despite the growth and unprecedented prosperity, Nashville is a 21st century city sitting on 20th century infrastructure. John Ray Clemmons will focus on modernizing our infrastructure systems for transportation and water to prepare Nashville for the growth ahead. NEIGHBORHOODS John Ray Clemmons recognizes that despite unprecedented growth there are many communities across our county that have not seen a significant level of investment in years. As Mayor, John Ray will invest in our residents and in the communities they call home. As a former neighborhood association president, John Ray knows first-hand the important role community leaders have In creating a better Nashville. He will work along side each neighborhood to implement thoughtful plans as we prepare for the opportunities ahead. PUBLIC SAFETY John Ray Clemmons supports Nashville's heroes and understands that as our city grows the strain on our first responders continues to rise. We need to ensure that our first responders receive competitive salaries and benefits that allow them to live in the county they serve. John Ray knows that to keep Nashville safe we must expand these critical departments to handle the increased density, upgrade to modern equipment, identify additional facilities, and implement advanced technology to provide excellent care to Nashville families during an emergency. TRAFFIC Nashville cannot wait another day to address our traffic challenges. Every minute in traffic is less time with our families or doing the things we love. John Ray Clemmons will invest in short-term innovative solutions and technologies to alleviate traffic and increase pedestrian safety. John Ray will also work to build consensus on a regional, long-term transit system that will prepare Nashville to take action and lead on this issue in the future.[7] |
” |
| —John Clemmons[8] | ||
2016
Clemmons' campaign website highlighted the following issues:[9]
Staying in touch with your family and our community.
- Excerpt: "As our state representative, John Ray remains actively engaged in our neighborhoods and community and communicates with us regularly."
A promising future requires courage, forward-thinking leadership and, at times, compromise.
- Excerpt: "To facilitate a promising future for Nashville's families and workers, John Ray actively works with leaders in the public and private sector to build consensus and solve immediate and long-term problems that must be addressed like public and mass transit, workforce training, and access to affordable, quality healthcare."
A future where every child gets a quality education and an opportunity.
- Excerpt: "The most productive way to ensure a promising future for our families, our city and generations to come is to invest our time and attention, our money and all possible resources into education at every level."
A future where everyone has access to affordable health care.
- Excerpt: "[Clemmons] does not think it makes any sense to turn away our hard-earned tax dollars at the state border out of political stubbornness and a refusal to comply with the Affordable Care Act. We must stop playing politics with Tennesseans' health care."
A future with better paying jobs and an atmosphere conducive to innovation.
- Excerpt: "John Ray wants to see well-paying companies competing for highly-skilled Tennessee workers, rather than the other way around."
2014
Clemmons' campaign website highlighted the following issues:[10]
A promising future requires change, not more of the same
- Excerpt: "John Ray will stand up to Tea Party legislators and fight to keep them from interfering in Nashville's progress. He believes that Nashville knows what is best for Nashville."
A future where every child gets a quality education and an opportunity
- Excerpt: "John Ray supports providing public schools and teachers with the resources they need to succeed and modernizing our classrooms. He will work to expand pre-K and after-school programs to ensure that all children have an opportunity to succeed."
A future where everyone has access to affordable health care
- Excerpt: "John Ray believes that we must protect and provide for our seniors, strengthen TennCare for struggling families, and make sure that all children, regardless of income, have access to quality, affordable health care."
A future with better paying jobs
- Excerpt: "John Ray knows we must develop local talent, attract and support small businesses, recruit companies with well-paying jobs, and nurture existing businesses that have invested in and contributed to our community's success."
John Ray is on our side
- Excerpt: "John Ray is strongly pro-choice and believes in income equality. He stands firmly against Amendment 1 and is actively campaigning against it. John Ray views Amendment 1 as a blatant attack by the state legislature on a woman's right to make her own health care decisions. Data shows that income inequality still exists in the workplace. John Ray will work to ensure income equality and shatter the glass ceiling."
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.
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
Clemmons was assigned to the following committees:
- Calendar and Rules Committee
- Commerce Committee
- Senate Government Operations Committee
- Health Committee
- Naming and Designating Committee
- Government Operations Committee
2021-2022
Clemmons was assigned to the following committees:
2019-2020
Clemmons 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 |
|---|
| • Business and Utilities |
| • Health |
2015 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Clemmons served on the following committees:
| Tennessee committee assignments, 2015 |
|---|
| • Government Operations |
| • Health |
| • Government Operations |
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.
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.
Scorecards
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]. |
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In 2024, the Tennessee State Legislature was in session from January 9 to April 25.
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2023
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2023, click [show]. |
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In 2023, the Tennessee State Legislature was in session from January 10 to April 21.
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2022
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2022, click [show]. |
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In 2022, the Tennessee State Legislature was in session from January 11 to April 28.
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2021
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show]. |
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In 2021, the Tennessee State Legislature was in session from January 12 to May 5.
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2020
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show]. |
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In 2020, the Tennessee State Legislature was in session from January 14 to June 19.
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2019
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show]. |
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In 2019, the Tennessee General Assembly was in session January 8 through May 2.
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2018
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show]. |
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In 2018, the 110th Tennessee General Assembly, second session, was in session January 9 to April 27.
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2017
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show]. |
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In 2017, the 110th Tennessee General Assembly, first session, was in session January 10 to May 10.
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2016
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show]. |
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In 2016, the 109th Tennessee General Assembly, second year, was in session from January 12 through April 22
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2015
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show]. |
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In 2015, the 109th Tennessee General Assembly, first year, was in session from January 13 through April 22.
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2014
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2014, click [show]. |
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In 2014, the 108th Tennessee General Assembly, second year, was in session from January 14 to April 18.
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See also
2026 Elections
External links
|
Candidate Tennessee House of Representatives District 55 |
Officeholder Tennessee House of Representatives District 55 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ The New York Times, "Election 2016," accessed November 11, 2016
- ↑ Tennessee Secretary of State, "2016 general election results - Tennessee House of Representatives," accessed January 19, 2017
- ↑ Tennessee Secretary of State, "Candidate Petitions Filed as of April 8, 2016 Noon Qualifying Deadline," accessed April 11, 2016
- ↑ Tennessee Secretary of State, "August 4, 2016 Unofficial Election Results," accessed August 4, 2016
- ↑ Tennessee Secretary of State, "August 7, 2014 Election Results," accessed September 11, 2014
- ↑ Tennessee Secretary of State, "Petitions Filed for State Senate and State House of Representatives," accessed April 5, 2014
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ John Clemmons' 2019 campaign website, "The Vision," accessed July 1, 2019
- ↑ John Ray for Tennessee, "Issues," accessed July 8, 2016
- ↑ John Ray for Tennessee, "Issues," accessed July 21, 2014
- ↑ Tennessee Bar Association, "Nashville Chamber Releases 2015 Legislative Scorecard," accessed November 10, 2015
- ↑ Tennessee Bar Association, "Nashville Chamber Releases 2015 Legislative Scorecard," accessed November 10, 2015
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by - |
Tennessee House of Representatives District 55 2014-Present |
Succeeded by - |
