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Tennessee's 4th Congressional District election, 2024

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2026
2022
Tennessee's 4th Congressional District
Ballotpedia Election Coverage Badge.png
Democratic primary
Republican primary
General election
Election details
Filing deadline: April 4, 2024
Primary: August 1, 2024
General: November 5, 2024
How to vote
Poll times: Varies by county
Voting in Tennessee
Race ratings
Cook Political Report: Solid Republican
DDHQ and The Hill: Safe 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, 2024
See also
Tennessee's 4th Congressional District
U.S. Senate1st2nd3rd4th5th6th7th8th9th
Tennessee elections, 2024
U.S. Congress elections, 2024
U.S. Senate elections, 2024
U.S. House elections, 2024

All U.S. House districts, including the 4th Congressional District of Tennessee, held elections in 2024. The general election was November 5, 2024. The primary was August 1, 2024. The filing deadline was April 4, 2024. The outcome of this race affected the partisan balance of the U.S. House of Representatives in the 119th Congress. All 435 House districts were up for election.

At the time of the election, Republicans held a 220-212 majority with three vacancies.[1] As a result of the election, Republicans retained control of the U.S. House, winning 220 seats to Democrats' 215.[2] To read more about the 2024 U.S. House elections, click here.

In the 2022 election in this district, the Republican candidate won 70.6%-25.7%. 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%.[3]

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

Candidates and election results

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

Total votes: 313,255
Candidate Connection = 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

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
Image of Victoria Broderick
Victoria Broderick Candidate Connection
 
100.0
 
11,708

Total votes: 11,708
Candidate Connection = 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 Thomas Davis and Joshua James in the Republican primary for U.S. House Tennessee District 4 on August 1, 2024.

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

Total votes: 41,948
Candidate Connection = 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

Candidate profiles

This section includes candidate profiles that may be created in one of two ways: either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, or Ballotpedia staff may compile a profile based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements after identifying the candidate as noteworthy. For more on how we select candidates to include, click here.

Image of Victoria Broderick

WebsiteFacebookTwitter

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography "I'm a Bi/Pan mother of two, working class woman who wants to see better representation and protections for the rights of US taxpayers. I believe our government should work for us and represent us."


Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.


Reproductive Freedom. Every person deserves the right to choice. Every fetus/baby deserves to be born into a home, society with the best tools to help them thrive. Let’s work to better support children and families.


Pro-Public Education. Public Education is vital to our communities. Teachers deserve proper funding, better pay & students have a right to equal and equitable education. Private schools are private for a reason, if they want public funding, they’ll need to meet public education standards.


Pro- Gun Reform. Our children’s rights are at risk. Children deserve the right to attend school without the fear of a “Bad” Guy with a gun. Our job as responsible gun owners, is to protect them.

This information was current as of the candidate's run for U.S. House Tennessee District 4 in 2024.

Image of Earnest Ensley

Facebook

Party: Independent

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography "Born in a family of 15 that included 10 brothers and 2 sisters all from the same mother and father. Married to Sheila with 2 sons, 2 daughters, 13 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren. One daughter deceased and 1 granddaughter deceased. I am a born-again believer in Christ and attends an Independent Baptist Church in Winchester. I have a Master’s degree from Covenant College in Wilmington, NC. I spent most of my life employed in the yarn and carpet industry in North Georgia specializing in print and dye as a certified technician. I was raised on a farm in Cleveland, TN and I can milk a cow, pick cotton, fry chicken, and change the brakes on my car. I do not use profanity, tobacco, and have never drank alcohol."


Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.


Foreign Aid: Stop all Foreign Aid for five years or longer until the national debt is paid down and we have a balanced budget; never spend more than you take in.


Illegal Immigration: Close the border and stop all migration of illegal immigrants into the United States. Eradicate the cartels. Start deportation of illegal immigrants immediately.


Social Security: Leave Social Security alone! Medicare: Single person with total income of $25,000 or less, no monthly insurance premiums. Married couple with combined total income of 40,000 or less, no monthly insurance premiums.

This information was current as of the candidate's run for U.S. House Tennessee District 4 in 2024.

Image of Keith Nolan

WebsiteFacebook

Party: Independent

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography "Hello, I am a 37-year-old solopreneur electrician who has spent most of his life in TN. I've had a calling to serve this nation since I was a kid but I was never cut out for the military. This is the next highest honor I can do, now or never. I've been involved in politics since 2012 and my family has a history of civil service in TN which further inspired me to become involved growing up. I never thought I would need to step up but we are heading in the wrong direction as a nation. What's worse, powerful institutions seem to be on autopilot with individuals more interested in their careers than their constituents. I hope to help remedy this and work with liberty-minded individuals wherever I can find them."


Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.


The constitution is specifically designed to hinder institutional power over every individuals natural rights.


The political spectrum isn't just left vs right, its institutional power vs you.


The working class is incredibly resilient yet directly effected by the manipulative policies of the Treasury and Federal Reserve. Inflation is yet another tax on wages and is considered a "hidden tax" since the effects arrive years after the bad fiscal policies are rolled out. The working class is the engine of this economy and I think its time institutions stop biting the hands that feed them.

This information was current as of the candidate's run for U.S. House Tennessee District 4 in 2024.

Voting information

See also: Voting in Tennessee

Election information in Tennessee: Nov. 5, 2024, election.

What was the voter registration deadline?

  • In-person: Oct. 7, 2024
  • By mail: Postmarked by Oct. 7, 2024
  • Online: Oct. 7, 2024

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

No

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

  • In-person: Oct. 29, 2024
  • By mail: Received by Oct. 29, 2024
  • Online: Oct. 29, 2024

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

  • In-person: N/A
  • By mail: Received by Nov. 5, 2024

Was early voting available to all voters?

Yes

What were the early voting start and end dates?

Oct. 16, 2024 to Oct. 31, 2024

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?

Varies - 7:00 p.m. (CST)

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

Reproductive Freedom. Every person deserves the right to choice. Every fetus/baby deserves to be born into a home, society with the best tools to help them thrive. Let’s work to better support children and families.

Pro-Public Education. Public Education is vital to our communities. Teachers deserve proper funding, better pay & students have a right to equal and equitable education. Private schools are private for a reason, if they want public funding, they’ll need to meet public education standards.

Pro- Gun Reform. Our children’s rights are at risk. Children deserve the right to attend school without the fear of a “Bad” Guy with a gun. Our job as responsible gun owners, is to protect them.
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Earnest_Ensley_20240808_092110.jpg

Earnest Ensley (Independent)

Foreign Aid:

Stop all Foreign Aid for five years or longer until the national debt is paid down and we have a balanced budget; never spend more than you take in.

Illegal Immigration: Close the border and stop all migration of illegal immigrants into the United States. Eradicate the cartels. Start deportation of illegal immigrants immediately.

Social Security: Leave Social Security alone! Medicare: Single person with total income of $25,000 or less, no monthly insurance premiums.

Married couple with combined total income of 40,000 or less, no monthly insurance premiums.
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Keith_Nolan.jpg

Keith Nolan (Independent)

The constitution is specifically designed to hinder institutional power over every individuals natural rights.

The political spectrum isn't just left vs right, its institutional power vs you.

The working class is incredibly resilient yet directly effected by the manipulative policies of the Treasury and Federal Reserve. Inflation is yet another tax on wages and is considered a "hidden tax" since the effects arrive years after the bad fiscal policies are rolled out. The working class is the engine of this economy and I think its time institutions stop biting the hands that feed them.
Reproductive Freedom, Voting Rights Protection, Pro-Public Education, Pro-Gun Reform, LGBTQAI+ Rights
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Earnest_Ensley_20240808_092110.jpg

Earnest Ensley (Independent)

I am adamant about preserving the constitution, pro-1st amendment, pro-2nd amendment with no red-flag laws, pro-law enforcement, and pro-life unless birth of a child would endanger the mother’s life or it was a case of rape or incest.
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Keith_Nolan.jpg

Keith Nolan (Independent)

I am personally passionate about Economics, The Military Industrial Complex, Individual Liberty, Transportation, and Healthcare.
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Keith_Nolan.jpg

Keith Nolan (Independent)

Ron Paul was called for military service and then to Congress when Nixon "temporarily" suspended gold-to-dollar convertibility. He continued serving in Congress while running two campaigns for President in 2008 and 2012. He inspired a whole generation of young people to look into Austrian Economics and noninterventionist foreign policies. I hope I can continue to keep that legacy alive.
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Earnest_Ensley_20240808_092110.jpg

Earnest Ensley (Independent)

No.
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Keith_Nolan.jpg

Keith Nolan (Independent)

The Law by Frederic Bastiat. Nation, State, and Economy by Ludwig von Mises. Enough Already Time to End the War on Terrorism by Scott Horton. Obedience to Authority by Stanley Milgram. Economics in One Lesson by Henry Hazlitt. End the Fed by Ron Paul. The Progressive Era by Murray N. Rothbard. Social Democracy by Hans-Hermann Hoppe. Natural Law by Lysander Spooner.
Truth. Honor. Duty. Respect. Empathy. Compassion
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Earnest_Ensley_20240808_092110.jpg

Earnest Ensley (Independent)

Integrity with a strong moral foundation.
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Keith_Nolan.jpg

Keith Nolan (Independent)

Elected officials should be able to separate fact from fiction. Honesty is the best policy; if being honest gets you rejected from the halls of power, so be it. As an elected official your duty is to your constituents first including the ones who didn't vote for you.
Duty, honesty and responsibility.
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Earnest_Ensley_20240808_092110.jpg

Earnest Ensley (Independent)

High integrity with strong morals and faith.
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Keith_Nolan.jpg

Keith Nolan (Independent)

I'm honest, I'm studious, I question institutional norms, I distrust authority by default, I do not participate in dominance hierarchies, and I don't see cooperation as a weakness.
Listening to constituents.
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Earnest_Ensley_20240808_092110.jpg

Earnest Ensley (Independent)

Control spending and stop the "pork". Support the needs of the people that I represent.
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Keith_Nolan.jpg

Keith Nolan (Independent)

Principles over party. As a representative, you are an employee of your constituents. Political parties are vehicles they shouldn't be the destination. I'm sick of only hearing from my representatives around election time or when they have a photo op for a groundbreaking they voted against. I want opportunities to cooperate or give feedback. This is why I plan to use a modernized website to open up more channels for direct communication with my district.
A protected Democracy and rights for all.
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Keith_Nolan.jpg

Keith Nolan (Independent)

I hope to leave a legacy of serving TN district 4 as an honest man who did the job to the best of his abilities and left graciously. I do not want to be known as a career politician but rather a statesman.
Princess Diana's death. I was 5.
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Earnest_Ensley_20240808_092110.jpg

Earnest Ensley (Independent)

Assassination of President John F. Kennedy. I was 11 years of age.
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Keith_Nolan.jpg

Keith Nolan (Independent)

The first historical event I remember was the Oklahoma City Bombing in 1995. I was 9 at the time.
Daycare worker at my church for 3 years.
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Earnest_Ensley_20240808_092110.jpg

Earnest Ensley (Independent)

Employee of KFC for 1 year.
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Keith_Nolan.jpg

Keith Nolan (Independent)

My first job was cameraman for a local news organization. I stayed there for 2 years.
Pride and Prejudice
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Earnest_Ensley_20240808_092110.jpg

Earnest Ensley (Independent)

Bible. It guarantees eternal life.
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Keith_Nolan.jpg

Keith Nolan (Independent)

The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein is my favorite book because he is a fantastic science fiction writer. I love the premise and the details he puts into the world he creates.
Bluey theme song.
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Earnest_Ensley_20240808_092110.jpg

Earnest Ensley (Independent)

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

Keith Nolan (Independent)

Take On Me by A-ha
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Keith_Nolan.jpg

Keith Nolan (Independent)

Finding rewarding work and staying independent has always been a struggle. I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit but the game keeps changing. If it's not a recession in 2007 it's inflation in 2022. I want the political class to stop tinkering with the private sector and let it breathe.
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Earnest_Ensley_20240808_092110.jpg

Earnest Ensley (Independent)

Appropriation and controlled spending.
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Keith_Nolan.jpg

Keith Nolan (Independent)

The House has the power of the purse. It's also the body most connected to reality since their terms are two years. The exception to this is career congressmen. Congress also has the power to declare war but that power has been evaded many times since World War 2. It has the power to raise and provide public money and oversee its proper expenditure, Impeach and try federal officers, approve presidential appointments, approve treaties negotiated by the executive branch, oversight, and investigations.
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Earnest_Ensley_20240808_092110.jpg

Earnest Ensley (Independent)

Yes, beneficial but not necessary.
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Keith_Nolan.jpg

Keith Nolan (Independent)

It can be or it can mean they are more beholden to institutional connections instead of their constituents. For the House, I believe it's better if they are fresh from the private sector.
Protecting voting rights and reproductive freedom.
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Earnest_Ensley_20240808_092110.jpg

Earnest Ensley (Independent)

Balancing the budget and control wasteful spending and coming together as one nation.
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Keith_Nolan.jpg

Keith Nolan (Independent)

Our position at the top of the unipolar world order is threatened by the same thing every empire in history is threatened by. Over-expansion of our military, debasing of our currency, societal rot, over 35 trillion in debt, and a depleted middle class.
I believe in term limits for all elected officials for all offices.
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Earnest_Ensley_20240808_092110.jpg

Earnest Ensley (Independent)

Should be discussed and revised.
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Keith_Nolan.jpg

Keith Nolan (Independent)

The best term limiters are the voters. The two parties have cooperated as gatekeepers against third parties for so long many people who are eligible to vote simply see no path to change. I have faith that my generation dares to break out of the cycle of the lesser of two evils voting. It's time to start voting FOR candidates instead of AGAINST other candidates.
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Keith_Nolan.jpg

Keith Nolan (Independent)

When I talk to folks in my district, the main item of discussion is the cost of healthcare. Getting Cancer isn't necessarily a death sentence but it is a debt sentence. The Affordable Care Act did give many people insurance. However, it's also a handout to major health institutions. There has to be a better way to utilize the market to lower costs without tax and spend policies. I will work with my colleagues to find a market-based solution.
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Keith_Nolan.jpg

Keith Nolan (Independent)

Money doesn't buy happiness, but you've never seen somebody frowning on a Jet-ski.
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Earnest_Ensley_20240808_092110.jpg

Earnest Ensley (Independent)

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

Keith Nolan (Independent)

Good ideas don't require force. I know the difference between principled and stubborn. I will not compromise with stubborn people. I also do not see compromise as a weakness. When you're dealing with people who don't agree with you, sometimes compromise is necessary but not desirable if they can't meet halfway. As an independent, I'll be pressured by both parties so principles will be crucial.
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Keith_Nolan.jpg

Keith Nolan (Independent)

This is very important to me. There are more creative ways for the federal government to raise revenue without legally plundering the private sector.
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Keith_Nolan.jpg

Keith Nolan (Independent)

They should be principled, based on law, and not based on partisanship. The GOP and Democrats are dancing on the edge of a slippery slope with lawfare. Each one daring the other to go a little further.
TNDP LGBTQ+ Caucus
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Keith_Nolan.jpg

Keith Nolan (Independent)

The Libertarian Party of Tennessee
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Keith_Nolan.jpg

Keith Nolan (Independent)

Small Business, Transportation and Infrastructure, Education and Workforce,
I believe in being transparent in who donates to candidates, what is being lobbied.
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Earnest_Ensley_20240808_092110.jpg

Earnest Ensley (Independent)

Full transparency and accountability on all levels of the government.
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Keith_Nolan.jpg

Keith Nolan (Independent)

The Government Accountability Office unfortunately is very necessary. The press and the voters are also an effective way to shine light on institutional misdeeds. Unfortunately it seems qualified immunity or executive privilege is used too often at a certain level. Like most things sunlight is a good disinfectant. Accountability is rare.



Campaign finance

Name Party Receipts* Disbursements** Cash on hand Date
Scott DesJarlais Republican Party $305,905 $255,950 $366,018 As of December 31, 2024
Victoria Broderick Democratic Party $111,893 $104,290 $7,692 As of December 31, 2024
Thomas Davis Republican Party $9,737 $7,898 $2,140 As of December 31, 2024
Joshua James Republican Party $5,080 $6,495 $0 As of September 30, 2024
Earnest Ensley Independent $0 $0 $0 Data not available***
Keith Nolan Independent $0 $0 $0 Data not available***

Source: Federal Elections Commission, "Campaign finance data," 2024. 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.[4]
  • 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.[5][6][7]

Race ratings: Tennessee's 4th Congressional District election, 2024
Race trackerRace ratings
November 5, 2024October 29, 2024October 22, 2024October 15, 2024
The Cook Political Report with Amy WalterSolid RepublicanSolid RepublicanSolid RepublicanSolid Republican
Decision Desk HQ and The HillSafe RepublicanSafe RepublicanSafe RepublicanSafe Republican
Inside Elections with Nathan L. GonzalesSolid RepublicanSolid RepublicanSolid RepublicanSolid Republican
Larry J. Sabato's Crystal BallSafe RepublicanSafe RepublicanSafe RepublicanSafe 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

The table below details filing requirements for U.S. House candidates in Tennessee in the 2024 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Tennessee, click here.

Filing requirements for U.S. House candidates, 2024
State Office Party Signatures required Filing fee Filing deadline Source
Tennessee U.S. House All candidates 25 N/A 4/4/2024 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 in place for the election.
  • Competitiveness - Information about the competitiveness of 2024 U.S. House elections in the state.
  • Presidential elections - Information about presidential elections in the district and the state.
  • State party control - The partisan makeup of the state's congressional delegation and state government.


Below was the map in use at the time of the election. Click the map below to enlarge it.

2023_01_03_tn_congressional_district_04.jpg
See also: Primary election competitiveness in state and federal government, 2024

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

Tennessee U.S. House competitiveness, 2014-2024
Office Districts/
offices
Seats Open seats Candidates Possible primaries Contested Democratic primaries Contested Republican primaries % of contested primaries Incumbents in contested primaries % of incumbents in contested primaries
2024 9 9 0 31 18 4 2 33.3% 3 33.3%
2022 9 9 1 36 18 4 4 44.4% 3 37.5%
2020 9 9 2 45 18 6 2 44.4% 3 42.9%
2018 9 9 2 49 18 6 7 72.2% 5 71.4%
2016 9 9 2 48 18 4 6 55.6% 5 71.4%
2014 9 9 0 39 18 3 8 61.1% 8 88.9%

Post-filing deadline analysis

The following analysis covers all U.S. House districts up for election in Tennessee in 2024. Information below was calculated on May 2, 2024, and may differ from information shown in the table above due to candidate replacements and withdrawals after that time.

Thirty-one candidates ran for Tennessee’s nine U.S. House districts, including 19 Democrats and 12 Republicans. That’s 3.4 candidates per district, less than in the previous three election cycles. There were 4.0 candidates per district in 2022, 5.0 candidates per district in 2020, and 5.4 in 2018.

The number of candidates who ran for the U.S. House in Tennessee in 2024 is also lower than any other year this decade.

No seats were open in 2024, meaning all incumbents ran for re-election. The last time all incumbents ran for re-election in Tennessee was in 2014.

Six candidates—five Democrats and one Republican—ran for the 8th Congressional District, the most candidates who ran for a seat in Tennessee in 2024.

Six primaries—four Democratic and two Republican—were contested in 2024, the fewest this decade. There were eight contested primaries in 2022, eight in 2020, 13 in 2018, 10 in 2016, and 11 in 2014.

Three incumbents—one Democrat and two Republicans—were in contested primaries in 2024. That’s the same as the previous two election cycles.

Candidates filed to run in the Republican and Democratic primaries in all eight districts, meaning no seats were guaranteed to either party.

Partisan Voter Index

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

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.[8]

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 2024 district lines
Joe Biden Democratic Party Donald Trump Republican Party
30.2% 67.9%

Inside Elections Baselines

See also: Inside Elections

Inside Elections' Baseline is a figure that analyzes all federal and statewide election results from the district over the past four election cycles. The results are combined in an index estimating the strength of a typical Democratic or Republican candidate in the congressional district.[9] The table below displays the Baseline data for this district.

Inside Elections Baseline for 2024
Democratic Baseline Democratic Party Republican Baseline Republican Party Difference
28.9 68.4 R+39.6

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
See also: Party control of Tennessee state government

Congressional delegation

The table below displays the partisan composition of Tennessee's congressional delegation as of May 2024.

Congressional Partisan Breakdown from Tennessee
Party U.S. Senate U.S. House Total
Democratic 0 1 1
Republican 2 7 9
Independent 0 0 0
Vacancies 0 1 1
Total 2 9 11

State executive

The table below displays the officeholders in Tennessee's top three state executive offices as of May 2024.

State executive officials in Tennessee, May 2024
Office Officeholder
Governor Republican Party Bill Lee
Secretary of State Republican Party Tre Hargett
Attorney General Republican Party Jonathan Skrmetti

State legislature

Tennessee State Senate

Party As of February 2024
     Democratic Party 6
     Republican Party 27
     Other 0
     Vacancies 0
Total 33

Tennessee House of Representatives

Party As of February 2024
     Democratic Party 24
     Republican Party 75
     Independent 0
     Other 0
     Vacancies 0
Total 99

Trifecta control

The table below shows the state's trifecta status from 1992 until the 2024 election.

Tennessee Party Control: 1992-2024
Five years of Democratic trifectas  •  Fourteen 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 23 24
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 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 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 R R

District history

The section below details election results for this office in elections dating back to 2018.

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

Total votes: 173,437
Candidate Connection = 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
Image of Wayne Steele
Wayne Steele Candidate Connection
 
65.1
 
11,168
Arnold White
 
34.9
 
5,994

Total votes: 17,162
Candidate Connection = 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
Image of Scott DesJarlais
Scott DesJarlais
 
100.0
 
60,699

Total votes: 60,699
Candidate Connection = 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

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
Image of Scott DesJarlais
Scott DesJarlais (R)
 
66.7
 
223,802
Image of Christopher Hale
Christopher Hale (D)
 
33.3
 
111,908

Total votes: 335,710
Candidate Connection = 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
Image of Christopher Hale
Christopher Hale
 
58.9
 
16,152
Image of Noelle Bivens
Noelle Bivens Candidate Connection
 
41.1
 
11,249

Total votes: 27,401
(100.00% precincts reporting)
Candidate Connection = 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

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
Image of Scott DesJarlais
Scott DesJarlais
 
71.1
 
55,194
Doug Meyer
 
18.3
 
14,184
Randy Sharp
 
10.7
 
8,289

Total votes: 77,667
(100.00% precincts reporting)
Candidate Connection = 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
Image of Scott DesJarlais
Scott DesJarlais (R)
 
63.4
 
147,323
Image of Mariah Phillips
Mariah Phillips (D)
 
33.6
 
78,065
Image of Michael Shupe
Michael Shupe (Independent)
 
3.0
 
7,056
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.0
 
7

Total votes: 232,451
Candidate Connection = 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

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
Image of Mariah Phillips
Mariah Phillips
 
47.5
 
15,474
Image of Christopher Hale
Christopher Hale
 
34.7
 
11,309
Image of Steven Reynolds
Steven Reynolds
 
17.8
 
5,788

Total votes: 32,571
Candidate Connection = 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
Image of Scott DesJarlais
Scott DesJarlais
 
70.0
 
61,994
Image of Jack Maddux
Jack Maddux Candidate Connection
 
30.0
 
26,580

Total votes: 88,574
Candidate Connection = 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.



See also

Tennessee 2024 primaries 2024 U.S. Congress elections
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Footnotes

  1. A majority in the U.S. House when there are no vacancies is 218 seats.
  2. These figures include the seat of Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), who resigned on Nov. 13, 2024, after winning re-election.
  3. Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' 2020 presidential results by congressional district, for new and old districts," accessed September 15, 2022
  4. Inside Elections also uses Tilt ratings to indicate an even smaller advantage and greater competitiveness.
  5. Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Nathan Gonzalez," April 19, 2018
  6. Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Kyle Kondik," April 19, 2018
  7. Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Charlie Cook," April 22, 2018
  8. Cook Political Report, "The 2022 Cook Partisan Voting Index (Cook PVI℠)," accessed January 10, 2024
  9. Inside Elections, "Methodology: Inside Elections’ Baseline by Congressional District," December 8, 2023


Senators
Representatives
District 1
District 2
District 3
District 4
District 5
District 6
John Rose (R)
District 7
Vacant
District 8
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Republican Party (9)
Democratic Party (1)
Vacancies (1)