Randy McNally
1986 - Present
2026
39
2017 - Present
2026
8
Randy McNally (Republican Party) is a member of the Tennessee State Senate, representing District 5. He assumed office in 1986. His current term ends on November 3, 2026.
McNally (Republican Party) is also the Lieutenant Governor of Tennessee. He assumed office on January 10, 2017. His current term ends on November 3, 2026.
McNally was elected speaker of the Tennessee Senate on January 10, 2017. The speaker also serves as Tennessee's lieutenant governor. He was the second Republican to hold the position since the beginning of the 20th century.[1] The speaker appoints Senate officers such as clerks and the sergeant-at-arms, determines who sits on specific committees, and is the presiding officer of the Senate.[2]
McNally was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1944.[3][4] He earned dual bachelor's degrees in biology and zoology from the University of Memphis in 1967, and graduated from the University of Tennessee's School of Pharmacy in 1969.[5] He worked as a pharmacist for various local pharmacies before joining Methodist Medical Center, where he worked from 1979 until his retirement in 2010.[6]
McNally was first elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives in 1978, and was subsequently elected to three more terms.[6] In 1986, McNally won an election to the state Senate for District 5. That same year, McNally assisted the Federal Bureau of Investigation in an undercover mission to expose illegal fundraising activities involving a local charity bingo operation.[7][8][9] In 2007, McNally became chair of the body's Finance Committee. He also served as chair of the Education Committee from 2001 to 2004.[6]
In 2016, McNally announced he would run to replace outgoing speaker Ron Ramsey (R). McNally said he wanted to continue Ramsey's work, which he said included "keeping the state in good fiscal condition, keeping taxes low, doing what we can to promote jobs in Tennessee."[10] In November that year, McNally was nominated unanimously by Republican Senators to be speaker.[11] He was officially elected speaker on January 10, 2017.[1]
In a 2025 news release, McNally wrote, "Tennessee has made remarkable progress over the last decade... But there is more work to do. With a new administration in Washington and a clear mandate for conservative governance both here in Tennessee and across the nation, Tennessee has a chance to truly lead."[12] In January that year, he voted in favor of universal school vouchers.[13] He also voted in favor of a bill providing grants to localities that enforce federal immigration law and creating penalties for officials who support sanctuary policies for individuals residing in the country without legal authorization.[14]
Biography
McNally was born in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1944. He received his bachelor's degree from the University of Memphis in 1967 and his pharmacy degree from the University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy in 1969. His professional experience includes working as a hospital pharmacist.
Political career
Below is a list of offices within Ballotpedia’s scope. Offices outside of that scope will not be listed. If an update is needed and the office is within our scope, please contact us.
McNally's political career includes the following offices:
- 2017-present: Lieutenant Governor of Tennessee
- 1986-present: Tennessee State Senate District 5
- 1978-1986: Tennessee House of Representatives
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.
2015 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, McNally served on the following committees:
| Tennessee committee assignments, 2015 |
|---|
| • Finance, Ways and Means, Chair |
| • Health and Welfare |
| • Rules, 1st Vice chair |
| • Fiscal Review |
| • Pensions and Insurance, Chair |
2013-2014
In the 2013-2014 legislative session, McNally served on the following committees:
| Tennessee committee assignments, 2013 |
|---|
| • Finance, Ways and Means, Chair |
| • Health and Welfare |
| • Rules, Vice chair |
| • Fiscal Review |
| • Pensions and Insurance, Chair |
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, McNally served on these committees:
| Tennessee committee assignments, 2011 |
|---|
| • Finance, Ways and Means, Chair |
| • Fiscal Review |
| • General Welfare, Health & Human Resources |
| • Pensions and Insurance, Chair |
| • Rules, Vice chair |
2009-2010
In the 2009-2010 legislative session, McNally served on these committees:
| Tennessee committee assignments, 2009 |
|---|
| • Finance, Ways and Means, Chair |
| • Rules, Vice chair |
| • General Welfare, Health & Human Resources |
| • Fiscal Review |
| • Business Tax |
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
2026
See also: Tennessee State Senate elections, 2026
General election
The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.
General election for Tennessee State Senate District 5
Incumbent Randy McNally is running in the general election for Tennessee State Senate District 5 on November 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Randy McNally (R) | |
| ||||
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Endorsements
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2022
See also: Tennessee State Senate elections, 2022
General election
General election for Tennessee State Senate District 5
Incumbent Randy McNally won election in the general election for Tennessee State Senate District 5 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Randy McNally (R) | 100.0 | 43,402 |
| Total votes: 43,402 | |||
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Democratic primary election
No Democratic candidates ran in the primary.
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Hannah Parton (D)
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Tennessee State Senate District 5
Incumbent Randy McNally defeated Earle Segrest in the Republican primary for Tennessee State Senate District 5 on August 4, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Randy McNally | 83.7 | 12,965 |
 | Earle Segrest | 16.3 | 2,520 | |
| Total votes: 15,485 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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2018
See also: Tennessee State Senate elections, 2018
General election
General election for Tennessee State Senate District 5
Incumbent Randy McNally defeated Stuart Starr in the general election for Tennessee State Senate District 5 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Randy McNally (R) | 71.8 | 48,336 |
 | Stuart Starr (D) | 28.2 | 18,948 | |
| Total votes: 67,284 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Tennessee State Senate District 5
Stuart Starr advanced from the Democratic primary for Tennessee State Senate District 5 on August 2, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Stuart Starr | 100.0 | 6,303 |
| Total votes: 6,303 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Tennessee State Senate District 5
Incumbent Randy McNally advanced from the Republican primary for Tennessee State Senate District 5 on August 2, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Randy McNally | 100.0 | 23,525 |
| Total votes: 23,525 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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2014
- See also: Tennessee State Senate elections, 2014
Elections for 18 seats in the Tennessee State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on August 7, 2014. A general election took place on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was April 3, 2014. Incumbent Randy McNally was unopposed in the Republican primary. McNally was unopposed in the general election.[15][16]
2010
- See also: Tennessee State Senate elections, 2010
McNally was re-elected to the 5th District seat in 2010. He was unopposed in the general election on November 2, 2010.[17][18]
| Tennessee State Senate, District 5, General Election 2010 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | |||
 Randy McNally (R)
|
44,067 | |||
2006
- See also: Tennessee State Senate elections, 2006
On Nov. 7, 2006, McNally won re-election to the 5th District Seat in the Tennessee State Senate.[19]
McNally raised $76,034 for his campaign.[20]
| Tennessee State Senate, District 5 (2006) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
| Randy McNally (R)
|
48,574 | 100% | ||
Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
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2022
Randy McNally did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
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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2013
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2013, click [show]. |
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In 2013, the 108th Tennessee General Assembly, first year, was in session from January 8 to April 19.
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2012
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2012, click [show]. |
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In 2012, the 107th Tennessee General Assembly, second year, was in session from January 10 through May 1.
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2011
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2011, click [show]. |
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In 2011, the 107th Tennessee General Assembly, first year, was in session from January 11 to May 21.
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Noteworthy events
McNally wins vote of no confidence (2023)
The Senate Republican Caucus held a vote of no confidence in McNally on March 20, 2023. They voted 19-7 in favor of keeping McNally as speaker of the state Senate and lieutenant governor.[23]
The vote followed The Tennessee Holler's report on March 8, 2023, that McNally commented from his verified government account on Instagram photos showing a man named Franklin McClure in underwear.[24][25]
McNally said, “I have made a point to engage with people not only in posts, but in comments and messages as well. My comments to Franklin McClure and others, which have recently drawn so much attention, are no different. While I see now that I should have been more careful about how my comments and activity would be perceived, my intent was always engagement and encouragement."[24] He also said he would take a break from social media.[24]
Rep. Todd Warner (R) called for McNally to resign: "It’s time for him to resign. He’s had a week. I was hoping he would step down on his own and he’s chosen not to do so, but it’s time for him to resign."[26][24] McNally responded, "I serve at the pleasure of the members of the Senate and my caucus. As long as I have their confidence, I am committed to the important work of this state. We have several pieces of crucial legislation, as well as a budget, to pass. I remain committed to that critical work."[26]
Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Randy and his wife, Jan, have two children.
See also
2026 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 The Tennessean, "Ron Ramsey departs, Randy McNally officially becomes lieutenant governor," January 10, 2017
- ↑ Tennessee General Assembly, "About the Tennessee Legislature," accessed May 8, 2025
- ↑ Paul Bailey for Tennessee, "Backroads & Backstories: Lt. Gov. Randy McNally Shares His Experience As a Legislative Leader," accessed September 24, 2025
- ↑ Tennessee General Assembly, "Senator Randy McNally," accessed September 24, 2025
- ↑ LinkedIn, "Randy McNally," accessed September 24, 2025
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Tennessee General Assembly, "Senator Randy McNally," accessed September 24, 2025
- ↑ WPLN, "Bingo, Bribes And A Wire: Tennessee Senate’s New Leader Recalls The Episode That Defined His Career," January 12, 2017
- ↑ The Tennessean, "Operation Rocky Top: Starring undercover role pulls a senator from obscurity," October 22, 2019
- ↑ The Tennesean, "Randy McNally set to fill large boots as Tennessee's next lieutenant governor," January 9, 2017
- ↑ Knoxville News Sentinel, "McNally to seek lieutenant governor post," March 18, 2016
- ↑ The Tennessean, "Randy McNally nominated to be next lieutenant governor," November 17, 2016
- ↑ The Oak Ridger, "Oak Ridge's McNally elected Speaker of Senate, lieutenant governor for 5th term," January 14, 2025
- ↑ WBIR, "Here's how East Tennessee lawmakers voted on universal school vouchers," January 30, 2025
- ↑ Tennessee General Assembly, "SB 6002," accessed September 24, 2025
- ↑ 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
- ↑ Tennessee Secretary of State, "2010 Primary Election Official Results," accessed April 18, 2014
- ↑ Tennessee Secretary of State, "2010 Tennessee General election results," accessed April 18, 2014
- ↑ Tennessee Secretary of State, "2006 Tennessee General election results," accessed April 18, 2014
- ↑ Follow the Money, "General Election Results," accessed April 18, 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
- ↑ WATE, "Lt. Gov. McNally survives ‘no confidence’ vote from Republican colleagues," March 20, 2023
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 24.3 The Daily Beacon, "Lt. Gov. McNally resists call for resignation over Instagram comments to gay performer," March 20, 2023
- ↑ The Tennessee Holler, "Anti-LGBTQ Tennessee Lt. Gov. McNally Comments On Racy Instagram Pics of Young Gay Male," March 8, 2023
- ↑ 26.0 26.1 WKRN, "Call for resignation of Lt. Gov. Randy McNally after social media controversy," March 16, 2023
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by - |
Lieutenant Governor of Tennessee 2017-Present |
Succeeded by - |
| Preceded by - |
Tennessee State Senate District 5 1986-Present |
Succeeded by - |
| Preceded by - |
Tennessee House of Representatives 1978-1986 |
Succeeded by - |
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