Tennessee's 4th Congressional District

Tennessee's 4th Congressional District

Incumbent

Scott DesJarlais

Assumed office: January 3, 2011

Tennessee's 4th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives is represented by Scott DesJarlais (R).

As of the 2020 Census, Tennessee representatives represented an average of 768,544 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 708,381 residents.

Elections

2024

See also: Tennessee's 4th Congressional District election, 2024

Tennessee's 4th Congressional District election, 2024 (August 1 Republican primary)

Tennessee's 4th Congressional District election, 2024 (August 1 Democratic primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House Tennessee District 4

Incumbent Scott DesJarlais defeated Victoria Broderick, Keith Nolan, and Earnest Ensley in the general election for U.S. House Tennessee District 4 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Scott DesJarlais (R)	70.0	219,133
		Victoria Broderick (D)	26.8	83,832
		Keith Nolan (Independent)	1.8	5,601
		Earnest Ensley (Independent)	1.5	4,689

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 313,255
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Kathleen Cosgrove (Independent)

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Tennessee District 4

Victoria Broderick advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Tennessee District 4 on August 1, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Victoria Broderick	100.0	11,708

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 11,708
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Tennessee District 4

Incumbent Scott DesJarlais defeated Thomas Davis and Joshua James in the Republican primary for U.S. House Tennessee District 4 on August 1, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Scott DesJarlais	72.5	30,425
		Thomas Davis	19.0	7,988
		Joshua James	8.4	3,535

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 41,948
= 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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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Joe Doctora (R)
• Rickey Minton (R)
• Olson Parker (R)

2022

See also: Tennessee's 4th Congressional District election, 2022

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.
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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

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	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.
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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.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Gerald Hood (R)
• Doug Meyer (R)
• Charles Dean Smith (R)

2020

See also: Tennessee's 4th Congressional District election, 2020

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

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	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.
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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

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	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.
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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.
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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.

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

The 4th Congressional District of Tennessee held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 4, 2014. Incumbent Scott DesJarlais (R) 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 Vote totals above are unofficial and will be updated once official totals are made available.

2012

See also: Tennessee's 4th Congressional District elections, 2012

The 4th Congressional District of Tennessee held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 6, 2012. Incumbent Scott DesJarlais won re-election in the district.

U.S. House, Tennessee District 4 General Election, 2012

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Eric Stewart	44.2%	102,022
	Republican	Scott DesJarlais Incumbent	55.8%	128,568
Total Votes				230,590
Source: Tennessee Secretary of State "Official Election Results, 2012 General Election"

2010
On November 2, 2010, Scott DesJarlais won election to the United States House. He defeated Lincoln Davis (D) in the general election.

U.S. House, Tennessee District 4 General Election, 2010
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Scott DesJarlais	59.7%	103,969
	Democratic	Lincoln Davis incumbent	40.3%	70,254
Total Votes				174,223

2008
On November 4, 2008, Lincoln Davis (D) won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Monty J. Lankford (R), James Anthony Gray (I) and Kevin Ragsdale (I) in the general election.

U.S. House, Tennessee District 4 General Election, 2008
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Lincoln Davis incumbent	58.8%	146,776
	Republican	Monty J. Lankford	37.8%	94,447
	Independent	James Anthony Gray	1.9%	4,869
	Independent	Kevin Ragsdale	1.5%	3,713
Total Votes				249,805

2006
On November 7, 2006, Lincoln Davis (D) won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Kenneth Martin (R) in the general election.

U.S. House, Tennessee District 4 General Election, 2006
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Lincoln Davis incumbent	66.4%	123,666
	Republican	Kenneth Martin	33.6%	62,449
Total Votes				186,115

2004
On November 2, 2004, Lincoln Davis (D) won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Janice Bowling (R) and Ken Martin (I) in the general election.

U.S. House, Tennessee District 4 General Election, 2004
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Lincoln Davis incumbent	54.8%	138,459
	Republican	Janice Bowling	43.5%	109,993
	Independent	Ken Martin	1.7%	4,194
Total Votes				252,646

2002
On November 5, 2002, Lincoln Davis (D) won election to the United States House. He defeated Janice Bowling (R), William Tharon Chandler (I), John Ray (I), Bert Mason (I) and Ed Wellmann (I) in the general election.

U.S. House, Tennessee District 4 General Election, 2002
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Lincoln Davis	52.1%	95,989
	Republican	Janice Bowling	46.5%	85,680
	Independent	William Tharon Chandler	0.6%	1,073
	Independent	John Ray	0.3%	605
	Independent	Bert Mason	0.3%	504
	Independent	Ed Wellmann	0.2%	399
	N/A	Write-in	0%	50
Total Votes				184,300

2000
On November 7, 2000, Van Hilleary won re-election to the United States House. He defeated David H. Dunaway (D) and J. Patrick Lyons (I) in the general election.

U.S. House, Tennessee District 4 General Election, 2000
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Van Hilleary incumbent	65.8%	133,622
	Democratic	David H. Dunaway	33.1%	67,165
	Independent	J. Patrick Lyons	1.2%	2,418
	N/A	Write-in	0%	5
Total Votes				203,210

Redistricting

2020-2021

See also: Redistricting in Tennessee after the 2020 census

On February 6, 2022, Gov. Bill Lee (R) signed new congressional districts into law, approving a proposal passed by both chambers of the Tennessee legislature. On January 18, 2022, the Senate Judiciary Committee recommended a congressional district proposal for consideration by the full Senate in a 7-2 vote along party lines, with all Republicans supporting the proposal and all Democrats opposing it. The Senate approved proposals for congressional and Senate maps in a 26-5 party-line vote on January 20. The House approved the congressional plan in a 70-26 party-line vote on January 24. This map took effect for Tennessee's 2022 congressional elections.

On November 15, 2021, Tennessee Democrats released a congressional district map keeping major cities like Nashville whole and putting Williamson, Rutherford, and Wilson counties in the state's fourth congressional district. The House Select Committee on Redistricting released a proposal on January 12, 2022.

How does redistricting in Tennessee work? In Tennessee, both congressional and state legislative district boundaries are drawn by the state legislature. These lines are subject to veto by the governor.

The Tennessee Constitution requires that state Senate districts "preserve counties whole where possible." State statutes mandate that no more than 30 counties may be split across districts. Furthermore, state law requires that state legislative districts be contiguous. There are no such requirements in place for congressional districts.

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.

2010-2011

This is the 4th Congressional District prior to the 2010 redistricting.

See also: Redistricting in Tennessee after the 2010 census

In 2011, the Tennessee State Legislature re-drew the congressional districts based on updated population information from the 2010 census.

District analysis

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

See also: FiveThirtyEight's elasticity scores

2026

Heading into the 2026 elections, based on results from the 2024 and 2020 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district is R+21. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 21 percentage points more Republican than the national average. This made Tennessee's 4th the 26th most Republican district nationally.

2024

Heading into the 2024 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 30th most Republican district nationally.

Daily Kos calculated what the results of the 2020 presidential election in this district would have been following redistricting. Donald Trump (R) would have defeated Joe Biden (D) 67.9%-30.2%.

2022

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.

Daily Kos calculated what the results of the 2020 presidential election in this district would have been following redistricting. Joe Biden (D) would have received 30.2% of the vote in this district and Donald Trump (R) would have received 67.9%.

2018

Heading into the 2018 elections, based on results from the 2016 and 2012 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was R+20. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 20 percentage points more Republican than the national average. This made Tennessee's 4th Congressional District the 33rd most Republican nationally.

FiveThirtyEight's September 2018 elasticity score for states and congressional districts measured "how sensitive it is to changes in the national political environment." This district's elasticity score was 1.04. This means that for every 1 point the national political mood moved toward a party, the district was expected to move 1.04 points toward that party.

See also

• Redistricting in Tennessee
• Tennessee's 4th Congressional District election, 2024
• Tennessee's 4th Congressional District election, 2022
• Tennessee's 4th Congressional District election, 2020
• Tennessee's 4th Congressional District election, 2018

External links

• GovTrack District 4

Footnotes

[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

Vacant

District 8

David Kustoff (R)

District 9

Steve Cohen (D)

Republican Party (9)

Democratic Party (1)

Vacancies (1)