All U.S. House districts, including the 4th Congressional District of Tennessee, held elections in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. The primary was scheduled for August 4, 2022. The filing deadline was April 7, 2022.

For more information about the primaries in this election, click on the links below:

Tennessee's 4th Congressional District election, 2022 (August 4 Democratic primary)
Tennessee's 4th Congressional District election, 2022 (August 4 Republican primary)

Candidates and election results

General election

General election for U.S. House Tennessee District 4

The following candidates ran in the general election for U.S. House Tennessee District 4 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Scott DesJarlais (R)	70.6	122,401
		Wayne Steele (D)	25.7	44,648
		Mike Winton (Independent)	1.6	2,834
		Clyde Benson (Independent)	1.0	1,806
	Submit photo	David Leighton Jones (Independent)	0.4	708
		Tharon Chandler (Independent)	0.3	585
	Submit photo	Joseph Magyer (Independent)	0.3	455

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 173,437
= 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 U.S. House Tennessee District 4

Wayne Steele defeated Arnold White in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Tennessee District 4 on August 4, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Wayne Steele	65.1	11,168
	Submit photo	Arnold White	34.9	5,994

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 17,162
= 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 U.S. House Tennessee District 4

Incumbent Scott DesJarlais advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Tennessee District 4 on August 4, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Scott DesJarlais	100.0	60,699

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 60,699
= 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

Voting information

See also: Voting in Tennessee

Election information in Tennessee: Nov. 8, 2022, election.

What was the voter registration deadline?

In-person: Oct. 11, 2022
By mail: Postmarked by Oct. 11, 2022
Online: Oct. 11, 2022

Was absentee/mail-in voting available to all voters?

No

What was the absentee/mail-in ballot request deadline?

In-person: Nov. 1, 2022
By mail: Received by Nov. 1, 2022
Online: N/A

What was the absentee/mail-in ballot return deadline?

In-person: N/A
By mail: Received by Nov. 8, 2022

Was early voting available to all voters?

Yes

What were the early voting start and end dates?

Oct. 19, 2022 to Nov. 3, 2022

Were all voters required to present ID at the polls? If so, was a photo or non-photo ID required?

N/A

When were polls open on Election Day?

N/A

Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Survey responses from candidates in this race

Click on a candidate's name to visit their Ballotpedia page.

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.

Expand all | Collapse all

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/ClydeBenson.jpg

Clyde Benson (Independent)

I am a veteran who will continue to fight for this country.

I am not a politician, but believe in the AMERICA FIRST initiative.

Pro-Life, Pro-2A, Pro-Constitution and Pro-MAGA. I’M

David Leighton Jones (Independent)

Eliminating Civil Asset Forfeiture: No one should have their property taken from them by the government without first being accused, tried, and found guilty of a crime by a jury of their peers.

The War on Drugs: Prohibition has been tried repeatedly, has failed in the past, and today America’s War on Drugs has been a miserable embarrassment. Lives are ruined over minor offenses, while victims cause widespread overcrowding in our prisons.

Federal Spending and Taxation: Since 1991, pork-barrel ear marked projects have totaled at least 111,702, costing $392.5 billion as of 2021, as estimated by the think tank Citizens Against Government Waste, which tracks annual spending. The mismanagement of taxpayer dollars must cease.

Wayne Steele (D)

One Person, One Vote

Amendment XIV - Equal Protection

Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness

Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/MikeWinton.jpg

Mike Winton (Independent)

18 percent approval rating by third party poll is not acceptable

over 30 trillion dollars of Debt and growing every day will continue to destroy our country

Illegal immigration at our borders without being enforced and or eradicated will continue to weaken our immigration process to a point dismay.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Clyde Benson (Independent)

First and foremost, we must fix our immigration crisis. We cannot continue to allow illegal immigrants into our country by the thousands. We must build the wall bigger than ever imagined.

Our national debt is out of control. Currently, Congress’ answer is to raise the debt ceiling and continue to bankrupt our country. I want my grandchildren to grow up in a prosperous nation and will work to make that a reality.

David Leighton Jones (Independent)

Individual Rights.

We hold that all individuals have the right to exercise sole dominion over their own lives, and have the right to live in whatever manner they choose, so long as they do not forcibly interfere with the equal right of others to live in whatever manner they choose including but not limited to: gun rights, medical freedom, and freedom of speech.

Wayne Steele (D)

Supply Chain, Inflation, Physical and Mental Healthcare, Safe Cannabis Decriminalization, Medical Cannabis Expansion, Criminal Justice Reform, Environmentalism and U.S. Energy Self-Reliance, Breaking-Up Monopolies, Increased Police Funding for Training and Descalation Tactics

Mike Winton (Independent)

1. Our National Debt

2. Our support to Israel 3. Illegal Immigration

4. Partisan Politics

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Clyde Benson (Independent)

This may sound very cliche, but who better to look up to than Jesus Christ.

Wayne Steele (D)

My maternal grandmother for her unequivocal opinions on treating all people with respect, dignity, and honor.

Teddy Roosevelt for his protection of the environment.

Dwight D. Eisenhower for his leadership overcoming evil, even with his flaws.

Betty White for her love to make people laugh and protect animals.

Mike Winton (Independent)

Billy Graham has always been an inspiration to me. My grandfathers were both fine gentlemen not only at home but respected within the community.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Clyde Benson (Independent)

Any book by Dr. Ben Carson. His life and his perspective are what we need more of in Washington D.C.

Wayne Steele (D)

Book - First Along The River Film - Defying the Nazis: The Sharps' War

Mike Winton (Independent)

God and Politics, Arthur Roy Herron

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Clyde Benson (Independent)

The main priority for all elected officials must be to serve in the best interests of the American people, not themselves or their parties.

David Leighton Jones (Independent)

People who get voted to serve in Washington often get so tied up in DC, that they forget what their neighbors at home are going through. It's important to not get wrapped up in the minutia of it all and forget why you trusted enough to get sent there in the first place.

Mike Winton (Independent)

The word Statesman comes to mind. One definition is A wise, skillful and respected political leader

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Clyde Benson (Independent)

The ability to understand the experiences, beliefs and feelings of others. I am not going into office thinking I know all the answers like most in Congress believe.

Wayne Steele (D)

My ability to listen and talk with anyone of any political stripe, race, creed, etc.

Mike Winton (Independent)

I have a desire to serve, the ability to listen and the willingness to agree to disagree

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Clyde Benson (Independent)

Developing personal relationships with constituents and state representatives to find out how I can better help my district, the state and our country.

Wayne Steele (D)

To represent what the people of their district want or need without compromising principles.

Mike Winton (Independent)

To Serve We The People

What legacy would you like to leave?

Clyde Benson (Independent)

I would like everyone to remember me as someone who fought for our country and for the American people and did not care about what others in Congress thought of me. I am not going there to make friends. I am going simply because they have failed the American people.

Wayne Steele (D)

Having left this place better than I found it.

Mike Winton (Independent)

Mike Winton Always said and lived that "Its never wrong to do the right thing"

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Clyde Benson (Independent)

I remember being in the 2nd grade and watching the space shuttle Challenger explode.

Wayne Steele (D)

The Gulf War 1990-1991, age 6.

Mike Winton (Independent)

The assassination of our nations president John Kennedy at 9 years old

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Clyde Benson (Independent)

I was 18 and got a job as a cart pusher at Wal-Mart.

Wayne Steele (D)

Busboy in a grease spoon Southern buffet restaurant for 2 years.

Mike Winton (Independent)

First job off the my grandparents farm I worked as a gas station attendant at the local Stuckeys in Pelham where I grew up. 2 years

What is your favorite book? Why?

Clyde Benson (Independent)

No book in particular, but I enjoy any book that can learn from.

Wayne Steele (D)

"Season of Life" because of my father's death "Detoxify or Die" because of the stark warning of what we put in our bodies from the external environment

Mike Winton (Independent)

Bible. I believe it to be the inspired word of God

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Wayne Steele (D)

Marty McFly

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Clyde Benson (Independent)

Kingdom (Cody Rhodes' theme song)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szK50XxnU4s

[Verse 1] Adrenaline, in my soul Every thought out of control Do it all to get them off their feet Crowd is here, about to blow Waitin' for me to start the show Out the curtain, lights go up I'm home (Whoa!)

[Pre-Chorus] And my father said, when I was younger Hard times breed better men (better men!)

[Chorus] You took it all away, I give it all away Can't take my freedom Here to change the game, a banner made of pain I built my kingdom Now you bow to me You took my dreams but not my name You'll follow me until the end I am my kingdom

[Verse 2] Lights go down, I'm ready now Tear this roof off for the town Gonna give 'em what they came to see Hear the crowd, on their toes Ready for me to start the show Out the curtain, lights go up I'm home (Whoa!)

[Pre-Chorus] And my father said, when I was younger Hard times breed better men (better men!)

[Chorus] You took it all away, I give it all away Can't take my freedom Here to change the game, a banner made of pain I built my kingdom Now you bow to me You took my dreams but not my name You'll follow me until the end I am my kingdom

[Bridge] You tried to tell me what to do I saw the door and kicked it down I stepped right over and right through And you can never stop me now (Bow!) (Now!) I am the king and you're the crown Now watch me as I take my throne And rule my kingdom

[Chorus] You took it all away, I give it all away Can't take my freedom Here to change the game, a banner made of pain I built my kingdom Now you bow to me You took my dreams but not my name You'll follow me until the end I am my kingdom You took it all away, I give it all away Can't take my freedom Here to change the game, a banner made of pain I built my kingdom Now you bow to me You took my dreams but not my name You'll follow me until the end I am my kingdom

[Outro] Now you bow to me

Wayne Steele (D)

Don't You Worry Child

Mike Winton (Independent)

There Was Jesus

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Clyde Benson (Independent)

I am not afraid to say that over the last several years, I have struggled financially. At times, I have worked 2-3 jobs at once to make ends meet and still live paycheck to paycheck. I have had to borrow money from family just to get gas to get to work. I am getting better, but in all honesty, most of my first year's pay from Congress would be to going to pay off bills. I don't have a sob story, but I have just made some bad financial choices in life. I hope that I am able to fix my situation and help others not make the same mistakes that I have. One of my favorite quotes is, "Learn from the mistakes of others, you won't live long enough to make them all yourself."

Wayne Steele (D)

Mental Health and Trauma

Mike Winton (Independent)

I am a workaholic and try to do too much on my own

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

Clyde Benson (Independent)

As compared to the senate members who represent entire states, House members represent a smaller area and are able to create more personal relationships with constituents.

Wayne Steele (D)

The power of the purse - all budgets must originate in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Mike Winton (Independent)

Possessing and displaying with only an 18 percent approval rating may be a better questioned here. It possesses the ability to do good, protect the innocent and create justice for all mankind but with party politics, greed and power it has lost sight of its true purpose

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

Clyde Benson (Independent)

I believe the desire to serve in the best interest of your country is reason enough. If you see something wrong, work to change it.

David Leighton Jones (Independent)

I don't believe the founding fathers would have viewed that as a requirement. Any citizen with a good understanding of the constitution, economics, and foreign policy should have a seat at the table. All too often lawyers, millionaires, and the elite class fill seats to represent the majority of folks they would never be able to relate to in the slightest.

Wayne Steele (D)

Maybe, but it's not limiting to have not.

Mike Winton (Independent)

As a new candidate never serving I guess I better say No

What do you perceive to be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

Clyde Benson (Independent)

The combination of rising illegal immigration, a rising national debt and the potential for a nuclear World War 3 would devastate the U.S. economy like we have never seen before. We must take action now.

David Leighton Jones (Independent)

Inflation, debt, and the continuation of tragedies caused by terrible foreign policy, sanctions, and saber rattling.

Wayne Steele (D)

The environment, Social Security, Healthcare, political extremism.

Mike Winton (Independent)

a cohesiveness of society for fellowman to work together for the greater good

If you are not a current representative, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

Clyde Benson (Independent)

As a veteran, I would love to serve on both the Armed Services and Veteran Affairs committees. A personal opinion is that you should be a veteran to serve on these committees. I would also love to serve on the committees of Homeland Security, Education & Labor and Science, Space & Technology committees.

David Leighton Jones (Independent)

Agriculture, Budget, Small Business, Joint Committee on Taxation.

Wayne Steele (D)

Health & Human Services Committee, House Subcommittee on Health

Mike Winton (Independent)

Transportation, Agriculture and Labor

If you are a current representative, why did you join your current committees?

Clyde Benson (Independent)

NA

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

Clyde Benson (Independent)

Yes. That’s all it should take to decide if the person truly represents you and your beliefs and are working to fulfill their campaign promises.

David Leighton Jones (Independent)

I believe the smaller terms the better, however there are those who get elected and immediately turn around and start planning for their re-election, and that distracts them from properly representing their constituents.

Wayne Steele (D)

Yes.

Mike Winton (Independent)

No should be 4

What are your thoughts on term limits?

Clyde Benson (Independent)

I am a strong advocate of term limits. My personal opinion is 12 years…6 terms in the House, 2 in the Senate or any combination of the two.

Furthermore, I believe that once you announce your candidacy for another office, whether it be higher or lower, you automatically vacate your current seat and are unable to run again until the next voting cycle. Leading up to the 2020 election, we had several members of Congress who were running for President who were voting on President Trump’s impeachment. This was a direct conflict of interest and should never happen again.

Many members of Congress use term limits as a campaign promise but never follow through because they know it will get shut down. That is why this should not be a vote by Congress themselves. It should be a vote BY THE PEOPLE. I have joined with the Convention of States to try and get more states to join and get this on the ballot in the next election cycle.

David Leighton Jones (Independent)

Term limits would be an overall net positive. The founding fathers did not intend for politics to be a career. Over the past 100 years we've seen over and over again examples of those who view holding office as a retirement package. It is unfortunately doubtful that anyone in DC these days would willingly vote to limit their power.

Wayne Steele (D)

A constitutional amendment should be ratified setting term limits from the local level to the Vice President.

Mike Winton (Independent)

I support term limits I would ask voters to only allowing myself to serve 5 terms

Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Clyde Benson (Independent)

My plan is to be my own person. I want to be the model for future representatives. But if I had to choose anyone in Congress to say I want to be more like, it would be people like Rand Paul and Ted Cruz who are not afraid to say what needs to be said. However, I will take it to a whole different level. Congress has failed the American people for too long.

David Leighton Jones (Independent)

Justin Amash, Thomas Massie, and Ron Paul

Wayne Steele (D)

John Lewis, John McCain

Mike Winton (Independent)

No I don't think so. I imagine we all have failed or will fail at some point.

Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

Clyde Benson (Independent)

To start, let me say that I plan on winning this election by providing examples of why people should vote for me, not why they should not vote for either of my opponents. With that being said, I will say this particular story is about the failure of our current incumbent. I received an email from a disabled veteran who has said he has reached out to Scott DesJarlais on many occasions and has gotten nowhere. As a veteran, taking care of my fellow veterans is a first priority. I plan to develop relationships with the VA whether I get on the VA committee or not. Our veterans deserve our utmost respect and should receive all the help they are entitled to and should not have to wait for months to get an appointment to have issues taken care of, whether it's issues from combat or not. Lifetime healthcare is a must have for veterans.

Mike Winton (Independent)

I have heard stories of families being affected by first prescription drugs then leading to worse additions. Families suffering from mental health and not the necessary support to help them. It is isn't seclude to status it attacks both rich and poor. Just recently the family of Naomi Judd had revealed her unfortunate death.

Tell us your favorite joke.

Clyde Benson (Independent)

I have a joke about paper, but it's tearable.

Mike Winton (Independent)

I had a cousin back in the day and his parents named him Odd Winton. Of course he hated the name, he was joked about in school growing up, Odd hated it so bad he refused to allow his wife or children to call him by his name. When Odd died he had directed his wife not to put his name on the tombstone. So today when anyone visits the graveyard and they see his marker missing his first name they reply "That's Odd Isn't It"

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Clyde Benson (Independent)

Absolutely. The problem is that we currently have too many members who want it their way or no way and who are more loyal to each other and parties rather than what is in the best interests of the American people.

David Leighton Jones (Independent)

As a Libertarian running as an Independent, it will be my responsibility to work with both Republicans and Democrats on legislation that best achieves the goals of my political ideology. While working with the two old parties though, what I won't do is compromise on my principles of essential liberty of the individual.

Wayne Steele (D)

Yes.

Mike Winton (Independent)

As any married couple, parent, church member or neighbor compromise may be our strongest ally.

The Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected?

Clyde Benson (Independent)

I would have to see what all the options are and what needs to change. I am a strong advocate for smaller government and getting unneeded money out of politics.

David Leighton Jones (Independent)

The US is in a serious debt crisis. I would vote no on any measure that isn't desperately needed, especially ear marks and pork barrel spending.

Mike Winton (Independent)

Our National Debt is completely out of control. Oversight of budgets will be a priority for me

Campaign finance

This section contains campaign finance figures from the Federal Election Commission covering all candidate fundraising and spending in this election.^[1] It does not include information on fundraising before the current campaign cycle or on spending by satellite groups. The numbers in this section are updated as candidates file new campaign finance reports. Candidates for Congress are required to file financial reports on a quarterly basis, as well as two weeks before any primary, runoff, or general election in which they will be on the ballot and upon the termination of any campaign committees.^[2] Click here to view the reporting schedule for candidates for U.S. Congress in 2022.

U.S. Congress campaign reporting schedule, 2022
Report	Close of books	Filing deadline
Year-end 2021	12/31/2021	1/31/2022
April quarterly	3/31/2022	4/15/2022
July quarterly	6/30/2022	7/15/2022
October quarterly	9/30/2022	10/15/2022
Pre-general	10/19/2022	10/27/2022
Post-general	11/28/2022	12/08/2022
Year-end 2022	12/31/2022	1/31/2023

Name	Party	Receipts*	Disbursements**	Cash on hand	Date
Scott DesJarlais	Republican Party	$174,860	$161,447	$316,063	As of December 31, 2022
Wayne Steele	Democratic Party	$11,085	$11,231	$-146	As of December 31, 2022
Arnold White	Democratic Party	$0	$0	$0	Data not available***
Clyde Benson	Independent	$0	$0	$0	Data not available***
Tharon Chandler	Independent	$0	$0	$0	Data not available***
David Leighton Jones	Independent	$0	$0	$0	Data not available***
Joseph Magyer	Independent	$0	$0	$0	Data not available***
Mike Winton	Independent	$0	$0	$0	Data not available***
Source: Federal Elections Commission, "Campaign finance data," 2022. This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC). * According to the FEC, "Receipts are anything of value (money, goods, services or property) received by a political committee." According to the FEC, a disbursement "is a purchase, payment, distribution, loan, advance, deposit or gift of money or anything of value to influence a federal election," plus other kinds of payments not made to influence a federal election. * Candidate either did not report any receipts or disbursements to the FEC, or Ballotpedia did not find an FEC candidate ID.

General election race ratings

See also: Race rating definitions and methods

Ballotpedia provides race ratings from four outlets: The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, Sabato's Crystal Ball, and DDHQ/The Hill. Each race rating indicates if one party is perceived to have an advantage in the race and, if so, the degree of advantage:

Safe and Solid ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge and the race is not competitive.
Likely ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge, but an upset is possible.
Lean ratings indicate that one party has a small edge, but the race is competitive.^[3]
Toss-up ratings indicate that neither party has an advantage.

Race ratings are informed by a number of factors, including polling, candidate quality, and election result history in the race's district or state.^[4]^[5]^[6]

Race ratings: Tennessee's 4th Congressional District election, 2022
Race tracker	Race ratings
	November 8, 2022	November 1, 2022	October 25, 2022	October 18, 2022
The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter	Solid Republican	Solid Republican	Solid Republican	Solid Republican
Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales	Solid Republican	Solid Republican	Solid Republican	Solid Republican
Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball	Safe Republican	Safe Republican	Safe Republican	Safe Republican
Note: Ballotpedia reviews external race ratings every week throughout the election season and posts weekly updates even if the media outlets have not revised their ratings during that week.

Ballot access requirements

The table below details filing requirements for U.S. House candidates in Tennessee in the 2022 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Tennessee, click here.

Filing requirements for U.S. House candidates, 2022
State	Office	Party	Signatures required	Filing fee	Filing deadline	Source
Tennessee	U.S. House	All candidates	25	N/A	4/7/2022	Source

District analysis

Click the tabs below to view information about voter composition, past elections, and demographics in both the district and the state.

District map - A map of the district before and after redistricting.
Effect of redistricting - How districts in the state changed as a result of redistricting following the 2020 census.
Competitiveness - Information about the competitiveness of 2022 U.S. House elections in the state.
Presidential elections - Information about presidential elections in the district and the state.
Demographics - Information about the state's demographics and how they compare to the country as a whole.
State party control - The partisan makeup of the state's congressional delegation and state government.

District map

	2024 → ← 2020
Tennessee's 4th Congressional District
	Democratic primary; Republican primary; General election
Election details
	Filing deadline: April 7, 2022
	Primary: August 4, 2022; General: November 8, 2022
How to vote
	Poll times: Varies by county; Voting in Tennessee
Race ratings
	Cook Partisan Voter Index (2022): R+22; Cook Political Report: Solid Republican; Inside Elections: Solid Republican; Sabato's Crystal Ball: Safe Republican
Ballotpedia analysis
	U.S. Senate battlegrounds; U.S. House battlegrounds; Federal and state primary competitiveness; Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2022
See also
	Tennessee's 4th Congressional District; 1st • 2nd • 3rd • 4th • 5th • 6th • 7th • 8th • 9th; Tennessee elections, 2022; U.S. Congress elections, 2022; U.S. Senate elections, 2022; U.S. House elections, 2022; Alabama U.S. House racesAlaska U.S. House racesArizona U.S. House racesArkansas U.S. House racesCalifornia U.S. House racesColorado U.S. House racesConnecticut U.S. House racesDelaware U.S. House racesFlorida U.S. House racesGeorgia U.S. House racesHawaii U.S. House racesIdaho U.S. House racesIllinois U.S. House racesIndiana U.S. House racesIowa U.S. House racesKansas U.S. House racesKentucky U.S. House racesLouisiana U.S. House racesMaine U.S. House racesMaryland U.S. House racesMassachusetts U.S. House racesMichigan U.S. House racesMinnesota U.S. House racesMississippi U.S. House racesMissouri U.S. House racesMontana U.S. House racesNebraska U.S. House racesNevada U.S. House racesNew Hampshire U.S. House racesNew Jersey U.S. House racesNew Mexico U.S. House racesNew York U.S. House racesNorth Carolina U.S. House racesNorth Dakota U.S. House racesOhio U.S. House racesOklahoma U.S. House racesOregon U.S. House racesPennsylvania U.S. House racesRhode Island U.S. House racesSouth Carolina U.S. House racesSouth Dakota U.S. House racesTennessee U.S. House racesTexas U.S. House racesUtah U.S. House racesVermont U.S. House racesVirginia U.S. House racesWashington U.S. House racesWest Virginia U.S. House racesWisconsin U.S. House racesWyoming U.S. House racesSubmit

Below was the map in use at the time of the election, enacted as part of the 2020 redistricting cycle, compared to the map in place before the election.

Tennessee District 4
until January 2, 2023

Click a district to compare boundaries.

Tennessee District 4
starting January 3, 2023

Click a district to compare boundaries.

Effect of redistricting

See also: Redistricting in Tennessee after the 2020 census

The table below details the results of the 2020 presidential election in each district at the time of the 2022 election and its political predecessor district.^[7] This data was compiled by Daily Kos Elections.^[8]

2020 presidential results by Congressional district, Tennessee
District	2022 district		Political predecessor district
District	Joe Biden	Donald Trump	Joe Biden	Donald Trump
Tennessee's 1st	22.0%	76.3%	22.1%	76.2%
Tennessee's 2nd	34.4%	63.7%	34.5%	63.6%
Tennessee's 3rd	33.1%	65.0%	32.9%	65.3%
Tennessee's 4th	30.2%	67.9%	30.7%	67.5%
Tennessee's 5th	43.2%	54.5%	60.3%	36.7%
Tennessee's 6th	34.5%	63.6%	25.6%	72.7%
Tennessee's 7th	41.3%	56.4%	31.3%	66.9%
Tennessee's 8th	30.6%	67.9%	33.2%	65.4%
Tennessee's 9th	73.3%	25.1%	78.5%	19.8%

Competitiveness

See also: Primary election competitiveness in state and federal government, 2022

This section contains data on U.S. House primary election competitiveness in Tennessee.

Post-filing deadline analysis

The following analysis covers all U.S. House districts up for election in Tennessee in 2022. Information below was calculated on July 11, 2022, and may differ from information shown in the table above due to candidate replacements and withdrawals after that time.

Thirty-six candidates filed to run for Tennessee's nine U.S. House districts, including 13 Democrats and 23 Republicans. That's four candidates per district, less than the five candidates per district in 2020 and the 5.4 in 2018.

This was the first election to take place under new district lines following the 2020 census. Tennessee was apportioned nine districts, the same number it was apportioned after the 2010 census. The 36 candidates who ran this year were the fewest candidates who filed to run for Tennessee's U.S. House seats since 2012, when 36 candidates ran as well. Forty-five candidates ran in 2020, 49 in 2018, 48 in 2016, and 39 in 2014.

One district — the 5th — was open. That was down from two open seats in 2020, 2018 and 2016. There were no open seats in 2014 or 2012. Rep. Jim Cooper (D), who represented the 5th district, didn't file for re-election. Ten candidates — one Democrat and nine Republicans — ran to replace Cooper, the most candidates who ran for a seat this year.

There were eight contested primaries this year — four Democratic and four Republican. That was the same number as in 2020 and five fewer than in 2018, when there were 13 contested primaries. There were ten contested primaries in 2016, 11 in 2014, and ten in 2012.

Five incumbents — all Republicans — didn't face primary challengers. Republican and Democratic candidates filed to run in all nine districts, so no seats were guaranteed to either party this year.

Presidential elections

Partisan Voter Index

See also: The Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index

Heading into the 2022 elections, based on results from the 2020 and 2016 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was R+22. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 22 percentage points more Republican than the national average. This made Tennessee's 4th the 27th most Republican district nationally.^[9]

2020 presidential election results

The table below shows what the vote in the 2020 presidential election would have been in this district. The presidential election data was compiled by Daily Kos.

2020 presidential results in Tennessee's 4th based on 2022 district lines
Joe Biden	Donald Trump
30.2%	67.9%

Presidential voting history

See also: Presidential election in Tennessee, 2020

Tennessee presidential election results (1900-2020)

15 Democratic wins
16 Republican wins

Year	1900	1904	1908	1912	1916	1920	1924	1928	1932	1936	1940	1944	1948	1952	1956	1960	1964	1968	1972	1976	1980	1984	1988	1992	1996	2000	2004	2008	2012	2016	2020
Winning Party	D	D	D	D	D	R	D	R	D	D	D	D	D	R	R	R	D	R	R	D	R	R	R	D	D	R	R	R	R	R	R

Demographics

The table below details demographic data in Tennessee and compares it to the broader United States as of 2019.

Demographic Data for Tennessee
	Tennessee	United States
Population	6,346,105	308,745,538
Land area (sq mi)	41,237	3,531,905
Race and ethnicity**
White	77.6%	72.5%
Black/African American	16.8%	12.7%
Asian	1.8%	5.5%
Native American	0.3%	0.8%
Pacific Islander	0.1%	0.2%
Other (single race)	1.4%	4.9%
Multiple	2.2%	3.3%
Hispanic/Latino	5.4%	18%
Education
High school graduation rate	87.5%	88%
College graduation rate	27.3%	32.1%
Income
Median household income	$53,320	$62,843
Persons below poverty level	15.2%	13.4%
Source: population provided by U.S. Census Bureau, "Decennial Census" (2010). Other figures provided by U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2014-2019).
**Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.

State party control

Congressional delegation

The table below displays the partisan composition of Tennessee's congressional delegation as of November 2022.

Congressional Partisan Breakdown from Tennessee, November 2022
Party	U.S. Senate	U.S. House	Total
Democratic	0	2	2
Republican	2	7	9
Independent	0	0	0
Vacancies	0	0	0
Total	2	9	11

State executive

The table below displays the officeholders in Tennessee's top three state executive offices as of November 2022.

State executive officials in Tennessee, November 2022
Office	Officeholder
Governor	Bill Lee
Secretary of State	Tre Hargett
Attorney General	Jonathan Skrmetti

State legislature

The tables below highlight the partisan composition of the Tennessee General Assembly as of November 2022.

Tennessee State Senate

Party		As of November 2022
	Democratic Party	6
	Republican Party	27
	Vacancies	0
Total		33

Tennessee House of Representatives

Party		As of November 2022
	Democratic Party	23
	Republican Party	75
	Independent	0
	Vacancies	1
Total		99

Trifecta control

As of November 2022, Tennessee was a Republican trifecta, with majorities in both chambers of the state legislature and control of the governorship. The table below displays the historical trifecta status of the state.

Tennessee Party Control: 1992-2022
Five years of Democratic trifectas • Twelve years of Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.

Year	92	93	94	95	96	97	98	99	00	01	02	03	04	05	06	07	08	09	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22
Governor	D	D	D	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R
Senate	D	D	D	D	R	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	R	R	S	S	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R
House	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R

District history

2020

Tennessee's 4th Congressional District election, 2020 (August 6 Republican primary)

Tennessee's 4th Congressional District election, 2020 (August 6 Democratic primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House Tennessee District 4

Incumbent Scott DesJarlais defeated Christopher Hale in the general election for U.S. House Tennessee District 4 on November 3, 2020.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Scott DesJarlais (R)	66.7	223,802
	Christopher Hale (D)	33.3	111,908

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 335,710
= 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 U.S. House Tennessee District 4

Christopher Hale defeated Noelle Bivens in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Tennessee District 4 on August 6, 2020.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Christopher Hale	58.9	16,152
	Noelle Bivens	41.1	11,249

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 27,401 (100.00% precincts reporting)
= 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

Jacob Anders (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Tennessee District 4

Incumbent Scott DesJarlais defeated Doug Meyer and Randy Sharp in the Republican primary for U.S. House Tennessee District 4 on August 6, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Scott DesJarlais	71.1	55,194
	Submit photo	Doug Meyer	18.3	14,184
	Submit photo	Randy Sharp	10.7	8,289

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 77,667 (100.00% precincts reporting)
= 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.

2018

See also: Tennessee's 4th Congressional District election, 2018

General election

General election for U.S. House Tennessee District 4

Incumbent Scott DesJarlais defeated Mariah Phillips and Michael Shupe in the general election for U.S. House Tennessee District 4 on November 6, 2018.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Scott DesJarlais (R)	63.4	147,323
	Mariah Phillips (D)	33.6	78,065
	Michael Shupe (Independent)	3.0	7,056
	Other/Write-in votes	0.0	7

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 232,451
= 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 U.S. House Tennessee District 4

Mariah Phillips defeated Christopher Hale and Steven Reynolds in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Tennessee District 4 on August 2, 2018.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Mariah Phillips	47.5	15,474
	Christopher Hale	34.7	11,309
	Steven Reynolds	17.8	5,788

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 32,571
= 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 U.S. House Tennessee District 4

Incumbent Scott DesJarlais defeated Jack Maddux in the Republican primary for U.S. House Tennessee District 4 on August 2, 2018.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Scott DesJarlais	70.0	61,994
	Jack Maddux	30.0	26,580

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 88,574
= 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's 4th Congressional District election, 2016

Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated this race as safely Republican. Incumbent Scott DesJarlais (R) defeated Steven Reynolds (D) in the general election on November 8, 2016. DesJarlais defeated Yomi Faparusi, Erran Persley, and Grant Starrett in the Republican primary on August 4, 2016.^[10]^[11]^[12]

**U.S. House, Tennessee District 4 General Election, 2016**
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Scott DesJarlais Incumbent	65%	165,796
	Democratic	Steven Reynolds	35%	89,141
Total Votes				254,937
Source: Tennessee Secretary of State

**U.S. House, Tennessee District 4 Republican Primary, 2016**
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Scott DesJarlais Incumbent	52.1%	24,211
Grant Starrett	43.3%	20,138
Erran Persley	3.5%	1,615
Yomi Faparusi	1.1%	493
Total Votes		46,457
Source: Tennessee Secretary of State

2014

See also: Tennessee's 4th Congressional District elections, 2014

Incumbent Scott DesJarlais won re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives on November 4, 2014. He defeated Lenda Sherrell (D) and Robert Doggart (I) in the general election.

**U.S. House, Tennessee District 4 General Election, 2014**
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Scott DesJarlais Incumbent	58.3%	84,781
	Democratic	Lenda Sherrell	35.3%	51,338
	Independent	Robert Doggart	6.4%	9,238
Total Votes				145,357
Source: Tennessee Secretary of State

**U.S. House, Tennessee District 4 Republican Primary, 2014**
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Scott DesJarlais Incumbent	44.9%	34,793
Jim Tracy	44.8%	34,755
John Anderson	5.9%	4,592
Steve Lane	1.9%	1,483
David Tate	1.2%	938
Michael Warden	0.9%	659
Oluyomi Faparusi	0.4%	284
Total Votes		77,504
Source: Tennessee Secretary of State

External links

Search Google News for this topic

Footnotes

↑ Fundraising by primary candidates can be found on the race's respective primary election page. Fundraising by general election candidates can be found on the race's general election page.
↑ Federal Election Commission, "2022 Quarterly Reports," accessed March 2, 2022
↑ Inside Elections also uses Tilt ratings to indicate an even smaller advantage and greater competitiveness.
↑ Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Nathan Gonzalez," April 19, 2018
↑ Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Kyle Kondik," April 19, 2018
↑ Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Charlie Cook," April 22, 2018
↑ Political predecessor districts are determined primarily based on incumbents and where each chose to seek re-election.
↑ Daily Kos Elections, "Daily Kos Elections 2020 presidential results by congressional district (old CDs vs. new CDs)," accessed May 12, 2022
↑ Cook Political Report, "The 2022 Cook Partisan Voting Index (Cook PVI℠)," accessed February 6, 2023
↑ Tennessee Secretary of State, "Candidate Petitions Filed as of April 7, 2016 Noon Qualifying Deadline," accessed April 8, 2016
↑ Politico, "Tennessee House Primaries Results," August 4, 2016
↑ CNN, "Election Results," accessed November 8, 2016

[show]

Tennessee's current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

Marsha Blackburn (R)

Bill Hagerty (R)

Representatives

District 1

Diana Harshbarger (R)

District 2

Tim Burchett (R)

District 3

Charles Fleischmann (R)

District 4

Scott DesJarlais (R)

District 5

Andy Ogles (R)

District 6

John Rose (R)

District 7

Matt Van Epps (R)

District 8

David Kustoff (R)

District 9

Steve Cohen (D)

Republican Party (10)

Democratic Party (1)

[1] Fundraising by primary candidates can be found on the race's respective primary election page. Fundraising by general election candidates can be found on the race's general election page.

[2] Federal Election Commission, "2022 Quarterly Reports," accessed March 2, 2022

[3] Inside Elections also uses Tilt ratings to indicate an even smaller advantage and greater competitiveness.

[4] Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Nathan Gonzalez," April 19, 2018

[5] Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Kyle Kondik," April 19, 2018

[6] Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Charlie Cook," April 22, 2018

[7] Political predecessor districts are determined primarily based on incumbents and where each chose to seek re-election.

[8] Daily Kos Elections, "Daily Kos Elections 2020 presidential results by congressional district (old CDs vs. new CDs)," accessed May 12, 2022

[9] Cook Political Report, "The 2022 Cook Partisan Voting Index (Cook PVI℠)," accessed February 6, 2023

[list-10] Tennessee Secretary of State, "Candidate Petitions Filed as of April 7, 2016 Noon Qualifying Deadline," accessed April 8, 2016

[primaryresults16-11] Politico, "Tennessee House Primaries Results," August 4, 2016

[12] CNN, "Election Results," accessed November 8, 2016

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

Tennessee	2022 primaries	2022 U.S. Congress elections

Tennessee congressional delegation Voting in Tennessee Tennessee elections: 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018	Democratic primary battlegrounds Republican primary battlegrounds U.S. Senate Democratic primaries U.S. Senate Republican primaries U.S. House Democratic primaries U.S. House Republican primaries	U.S. Congress elections U.S. Senate elections U.S. House elections Special elections Ballot access

Tennessee's 4th Congressional District election, 2022

Candidates and election results

General election

General election for U.S. House Tennessee District 4

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Tennessee District 4

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Tennessee District 4

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Voting information

Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Campaign finance

General election race ratings

Ballot access requirements

District analysis

District map

Tennessee District 4until January 2, 2023

Tennessee District 4starting January 3, 2023

Effect of redistricting

Competitiveness

Post-filing deadline analysis

Presidential elections

Partisan Voter Index

2020 presidential election results

Presidential voting history

Demographics

State party control

Congressional delegation

State executive

State legislature

Tennessee State Senate

Tennessee House of Representatives

Trifecta control

District history

2020

General election

General election for U.S. House Tennessee District 4

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Tennessee District 4

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Tennessee District 4

2018

General election

General election for U.S. House Tennessee District 4

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Tennessee District 4

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Tennessee District 4

2016

2014

See also

External links

Footnotes

Information about voting

2026 Elections

2025 Elections

Election analysis

Trending

Public Policy

Information for candidates

Get Engaged

Services

Additional analysis

SITE NAVIGATION

Tennessee District 4
until January 2, 2023

Tennessee District 4
starting January 3, 2023