Steve Southerland (Tennessee)

Steve Southerland

Republican Party

Candidate, Tennessee State Senate District 9

Tennessee State Senate District 9

Tenure

2022 - Present

Term ends

2026

Years in position

2

Predecessor

David Crews

Prior offices

Tennessee State Senate District 1

Successor: J. Adam Lowe

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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 8, 2022

Next election

November 3, 2026

Personal

Profession

Mortgage broker

Contact

Official website

Steve Southerland (Republican Party) is a member of the Tennessee State Senate, representing District 9. He assumed office on November 8, 2022. His current term ends on November 3, 2026.

Southerland (Republican Party) is running for re-election to the Tennessee State Senate to represent District 9. He declared candidacy for the 2026 election.

Biography

Steve Southerland's career experience includes working as a mortgage broker.

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

Southerland was assigned to the following committees:

• Commerce and Labor Committee
• Energy, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, Chair
• Senate Ethics Committee
• Fiscal Review Committee

2021-2022

Southerland was assigned to the following committees:

• Commerce and Labor Committee
• Energy, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, Chair

2019-2020

Southerland was assigned to the following committees:

• Fiscal Review Committee
• Commerce and Labor Committee
• Energy, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, Chair

2017 legislative session

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

Tennessee committee assignments, 2017
• Energy, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Chair
• Government Operations
• Fiscal Review
• Government Operations

2015 legislative session

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

Tennessee committee assignments, 2015
• Commerce and Labor
• Energy, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Chair
• Transportation and Safety
• Fiscal Review

2013-2014

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

Tennessee committee assignments, 2013
• Commerce and Labor
• Energy, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Chair
• Transportation and Safety, Vice chair
• Fiscal Review

2011-2012

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

Tennessee committee assignments, 2011
• Commerce, Labor and Agriculture
• Environment, Conservation & Tourism, Chair
• Transportation, Vice chair

2009-2010

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

Tennessee committee assignments, 2009
• Environment, Conservation & Tourism, Chair
• Transportation
• Commerce, Labor and Agriculture

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

Note: At this time, Ballotpedia is combining all declared candidates for this election into one list under a general election heading. As primary election dates are published, this information will be updated to separate general election candidates from primary candidates as appropriate.

General election

The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.

General election for Tennessee State Senate District 9

Incumbent Steve Southerland is running in the general election for Tennessee State Senate District 9 on November 3, 2026.

		Candidate
		Steve Southerland (R)

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined.
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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 9

Incumbent Steve Southerland defeated Sara Thompson in the general election for Tennessee State Senate District 9 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Steve Southerland (R)	82.9	39,113
		Sara Thompson (D)	17.1	8,061

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 47,174
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Tennessee State Senate District 9

Sara Thompson advanced from the Democratic primary for Tennessee State Senate District 9 on August 4, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Sara Thompson	100.0	1,763

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,763
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Tennessee State Senate District 9

Incumbent Steve Southerland advanced from the Republican primary for Tennessee State Senate District 9 on August 4, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Steve Southerland	100.0	13,532

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 13,532
= 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 State Senate elections, 2018

General election

General election for Tennessee State Senate District 1

Incumbent Steve Southerland won election in the general election for Tennessee State Senate District 1 on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Steve Southerland (R)	100.0	43,262

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 43,262
= 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 1

Incumbent Steve Southerland advanced from the Republican primary for Tennessee State Senate District 1 on August 2, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Steve Southerland	100.0	22,806

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 22,806
= 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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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 Steve Southerland was unopposed in the Republican primary. Southerland was unopposed in the general election.

2010

See also: Tennessee State Senate elections, 2010

Southerland was re-elected to the 1st District seat in 2010. He defeated Democrat Jackson West in the general election on November 2, 2010. He was unopposed in the August 5 primary.

Tennessee State Senate, District 1, General Election 2010
Candidates		Votes
Steve Southerland (R)		32,310
Jackson "Jack" West (D)		7,381

2006

On Nov. 7, 2006, Southerland won re-election to the 1st District Seat in the Tennessee State Senate, defeating opponent Duran Williams (D).

Southerland raised $96,061 for his campaign while Williams raised $26,448.

Tennessee State Senate, District 1 (2006)
Candidates		Votes
Steve Southerland (R)		31,958
Duran Williams (D)		14,476

Campaign themes

2026

Ballotpedia survey responses

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2022

Steve Southerland did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 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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Steve Southerland campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2022	Tennessee State Senate District 9	Won general	$226,169	$115,042
2018	Tennessee State Senate District 1	Won general	$156,276	N/A**
2014	Tennessee State Senate, District 1	Won	$135,448	N/A**
2010	Tennessee State Senate, District 1	Won	$171,705	N/A**
2006	Tennessee State Senate, District 1	Won	$96,061	N/A**
2002	Tennessee State Senate, District 1	Won	$17,439	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.

Steve and his wife, Cheri, have one child. They currently live in Morristown, Tennessee. He is involved with a number of organizations, including the Morristown Area Chamber of Commerce, the National Rifle Association, and the Rotary Club.

See also

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Officeholder

Tennessee State Senate District 9

Website

Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by David Crews (R)	Tennessee State Senate District 9 2022-Present	Succeeded by -
Preceded by -	Tennessee State Senate District 1 2002-2022	Succeeded by J. Adam Lowe (R)

[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)