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Tennessee House of Representatives District 86
Tennessee House of Representatives District 86 is represented by Justin Pearson (D).
As of the 2020 Census, Tennessee state representatives represented an average of 69,868 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 64,398 residents.
About the chamber
Members of the Tennessee House of Representatives serve two-year terms and are not subject to term limits. Tennessee legislators assume office on the day they are elected in the general election.[1]
Qualifications
To be eligible to serve in the Tennessee State Senate, a candidate must:[2]
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Be at least 21 years old before the general election
- Have resided in Tennessee for at least 3 years before the general election
- Have resided in the county or district to be represented for at least 1 year, immediately preceding the election
- Be a qualified voter in the county or district to be represented
The following groups of people are ineligible to run for office:[2]
- Those who have been convicted of offering or giving a bribe, or of larceny, or any other offense declared infamous by law, unless restored to citizenship in the mode pointed out by law;
- Those against whom there is a judgment unpaid for any moneys received by them, in any official capacity, due to the United States, to this state, or any county thereof;
- Those who are defaulters to the treasury at the time of the election (the election of any such person shall be void);
- Soldiers, seamen, marines, or airmen in the regular army or navy or air force of the United States; and
- Members of congress, and persons holding any office of profit or trust under any foreign power, other state of the union, or under the United States.
Salaries
- See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
| State legislative salaries, 2024[3] | |
|---|---|
| Salary | Per diem |
| $28,405.96/year | $326.47/day. Legislators living within 50 miles of the Capitol receive a reduced amount of $47 per day. |
Vacancies
If there is a vacancy in the Tennessee General Assembly, there are two ways a vacancy can be filled. When twelve months or more remain before the next general election, a special election must be held within the allowable time frame set by law. If fewer than twelve months remain before the next general election, members of the legislative body in the county where the vacancy occurred must vote on a replacement.[4]
See sources: Tennessee Const. Art. 2, Sec. 15
District map
Redistricting
2020 redistricting cycle
On November 22, 2023, the Davidson County Chancery Court struck down the state Senate map, declaring it unconstitutional. The court ordered the state to create a new state Senate map by January 31, 2024.[5] On April 13, 2022, the Tennessee Supreme Court reversed a ruling by the Davidson County Chancery Court on April 6, blocking the same state Senate map. Gov. Lee signed the state's legislative districts into law on February 6, 2022.[6]
On January 18, 2022, the Senate Judiciary Committee recommended state legislative proposals for consideration by the full Senate in a 7-2 vote along party lines, with all Republicans supporting the proposals and all Democrats opposing them.[7] The Senate approved proposals for congressional and Senate maps in a 26-5 party-line vote on January 20, 2022.[8] On January 26, 2022, the Tennessee Senate approved the state House plan.[9] These maps took effect for Tennessee's 2022 legislative elections.
On December 14, 2021, the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee on Redistricting released five state Senate plans and four congressional plans submitted by the public.[10] The Tennessee House Select Committee on Redistricting voted to approve a proposal for House districts, HB 1035, on December 17, 2021.[11] The ad-hoc Senate committee released a state Senate plan on January 13.[12]
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.[13]
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.[13]
Tennessee House of Representatives District 86
until November 7, 2022
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Tennessee House of Representatives District 86
starting November 8, 2022
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Elections
2024
See also: Tennessee House of Representatives elections, 2024
General election
General election for Tennessee House of Representatives District 86
Incumbent Justin Pearson defeated Jeff Johnston in the general election for Tennessee House of Representatives District 86 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Justin Pearson (D) | 77.9 | 15,612 |
Jeff Johnston (Independent)  | 22.1 | 4,436 | ||
| Total votes: 20,048 | |||
| = 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 Tennessee House of Representatives District 86
Incumbent Justin Pearson defeated David Page in the Democratic primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 86 on August 1, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Justin Pearson | 93.4 | 3,784 |
| David Page | 6.6 | 267 | ||
| Total votes: 4,051 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
2023
August 3 special election
A special primary election for Tennessee House of Representatives District 86 was called for June 15, 2023. A special general election was called for August 3, 2023. The candidate filing deadline was May 4, 2023.[14]
The seat became vacant on April 6, 2023, after incumbent Justin Pearson (D) was expelled by the Tennessee House of Representatives. Pearson was reinstated by the Shelby County Commission on April 12, 2023.[15] Pearson previously won the special election for District 86 on March 14, 2023, to fill the vacancy left by the death of Barbara Cooper (D).
General election
Special general election for Tennessee House of Representatives District 86
Incumbent Justin Pearson defeated Jeff Johnston in the special general election for Tennessee House of Representatives District 86 on August 3, 2023.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Justin Pearson (D) | 94.0 | 2,439 |
| Jeff Johnston (Independent) | 6.0 | 157 | ||
| Total votes: 2,596 | |||
| = 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
Special Democratic primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 86
Incumbent Justin Pearson defeated David Page in the special Democratic primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 86 on June 15, 2023.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Justin Pearson | 94.6 | 2,210 |
| David Page | 5.4 | 125 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.0 | 1 | ||
| Total votes: 2,336 | |||
| = 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
No Republican candidates ran in the primary.
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Francis Currie (R)
March 14 special election
A special primary election for Tennessee House of Representatives District 86 was called for January 24, 2023. A special general election was called for March 14, 2023. The candidate filing deadline was December 15, 2022.[16][17]
The seat became vacant on October 25, 2022, after incumbent Barbara Cooper (D) passed away.[18][19] Cooper won re-election to the Tennessee House of Representatives in the general election on November 8, 2022.[16]
General election
Special general election for Tennessee House of Representatives District 86
Justin Pearson won election in the special general election for Tennessee House of Representatives District 86 on March 14, 2023.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Justin Pearson (D) | 100.0 | 443 |
| Total votes: 443 | |||
| = 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
Special Democratic primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 86
The following candidates ran in the special Democratic primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 86 on January 24, 2023.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Justin Pearson | 52.4 | 1,235 |
| Julian Bolton | 12.3 | 289 | ||
 | Will Richardson | 8.1 | 190 | |
| Juliette Eskridge | 7.0 | 166 | ||
| Clifford Lewis | 5.3 | 126 | ||
| Tanya L. Cooper | 4.6 | 109 | ||
| Rod Blount | 4.4 | 103 | ||
 | Dominique Frost | 4.0 | 95 | |
| Andrew Withers | 1.5 | 35 | ||
| Rebecca Robinson | 0.5 | 11 | ||
| Total votes: 2,359 | |||
| = 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
- Michael Porter (D)
2022
General election
General election for Tennessee House of Representatives District 86
Incumbent Barbara Cooper defeated Michael Porter in the general election for Tennessee House of Representatives District 86 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Barbara Cooper (D) | 73.1 | 8,006 |
| Michael Porter (Independent) | 26.9 | 2,944 | ||
| Total votes: 10,950 | |||
| = 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 Tennessee House of Representatives District 86
Incumbent Barbara Cooper defeated Will Richardson in the Democratic primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 86 on August 4, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Barbara Cooper | 79.0 | 5,233 |
| Will Richardson | 21.0 | 1,395 | |
| Total votes: 6,628 | |||
| = 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
- Brandon Morris (D)
- Dominique Frost (D)
2020
General election
General election for Tennessee House of Representatives District 86
Incumbent Barbara Cooper defeated Rob White in the general election for Tennessee House of Representatives District 86 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Barbara Cooper (D) | 72.7 | 15,803 |
 | Rob White (R) | 27.3 | 5,946 | |
| Total votes: 21,749 | |||
| = 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 Tennessee House of Representatives District 86
Incumbent Barbara Cooper defeated Dominique Frost, Joann Wooten-Lewis, and Austin Crowder in the Democratic primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 86 on August 6, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Barbara Cooper | 66.3 | 3,936 |
| Dominique Frost | 26.0 | 1,542 | |
| Joann Wooten-Lewis | 5.4 | 319 | ||
| Austin Crowder | 2.4 | 140 | ||
| Total votes: 5,937 (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. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 86
Rob White advanced from the Republican primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 86 on August 6, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Rob White | 100.0 | 1,433 |
| Total votes: 1,433 | |||
| = 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
General election
General election for Tennessee House of Representatives District 86
Incumbent Barbara Cooper won election in the general election for Tennessee House of Representatives District 86 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Barbara Cooper (D) | 100.0 | 13,865 |
| Total votes: 13,865 | |||
| = 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 Tennessee House of Representatives District 86
Incumbent Barbara Cooper defeated Amber Huett-Garcia and Jesse Kirk Jeff in the Democratic primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 86 on August 2, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Barbara Cooper | 78.0 | 5,149 |
| Amber Huett-Garcia | 18.1 | 1,196 | ||
 | Jesse Kirk Jeff | 3.9 | 260 | |
| Total votes: 6,605 | |||
| = 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
Elections for the Tennessee House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election was held on August 4, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was April 7, 2016.
Incumbent Barbara Cooper defeated George T. Edwards in the Tennessee House of Representatives District 86 general election.[20][21]
| Tennessee House of Representatives, District 86 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic |  Barbara Cooper Incumbent |
73.31% | 14,945 | |
| Republican | George T. Edwards | 26.69% | 5,442 | |
| Total Votes | 20,387 | |||
| Source: Tennessee Secretary of State | ||||
Incumbent Barbara Cooper ran unopposed in the Tennessee House of Representatives District 86 Democratic primary.[22][23]
| Tennessee House of Representatives, District 86 Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Democratic | Barbara Cooper Incumbent (unopposed) | |
George T. Edwards defeated Tina McElravey in the Tennessee House of Representatives District 86 Republican primary.[22][23]
| Tennessee House of Representatives, District 86 Republican Primary, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | George T. Edwards |
55.56% | 510 | |
| Republican | Tina McElravey | 44.44% | 408 | |
| Total Votes | 918 | |||
2014
Elections for 99 seats in the Tennessee House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on August 7, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was April 3, 2014. Incumbent Barbara Cooper was unopposed in the Democratic primary. George T. Edwards was unopposed in the Republican primary. Cooper defeated Edwards in the general election.[24][25]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Barbara Cooper Incumbent |
70.9% | 7,595 | |
| Republican | George T. Edwards, III | 29.1% | 3,115 | |
| Total Votes | 10,710 | |||
2012
Elections for the office of Tennessee House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on August 2, 2012, and a general election on November 6, 2012. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was April 5, 2011. Incumbent Barbara Cooper (D) defeated George T. Edwards (R) in the general election. Neither candidate faced opposition in their primary.[26][27]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Barbara Cooper Incumbent |
76% | 16,619 | |
| Republican | George Edwards | 24% | 5,244 | |
| Total Votes | 21,863 | |||
Campaign contributions
From 2000 to 2024, candidates for Tennessee House of Representatives District 86 raised a total of $3,296,733. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $84,532 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money
| Campaign contributions, Tennessee House of Representatives District 86 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Amount | Candidates | Average |
| 2024 | $164,560 | 3 | $54,853 |
| 2023 | $2,707,078 | 14 | $193,363 |
| 2022 | $76,519 | 3 | $25,506 |
| 2020 | $64,948 | 3 | $21,649 |
| 2018 | $83,907 | 3 | $27,969 |
| 2016 | $18,078 | 3 | $6,026 |
| 2014 | $19,710 | 2 | $9,855 |
| 2012 | $20,985 | 1 | $20,985 |
| 2010 | $18,976 | 1 | $18,976 |
| 2008 | $24,182 | 1 | $24,182 |
| 2006 | $21,781 | 1 | $21,781 |
| 2004 | $24,720 | 1 | $24,720 |
| 2002 | $28,105 | 2 | $14,053 |
| 2000 | $23,185 | 1 | $23,185 |
| Total | $3,296,733 | 39 | $84,532 |
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Tennessee Constitution, "Article II, Section 3," accessed November 1, 2021
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Tennessee Secretary of State, "Qualifications for elected offices in Tennessee," accessed May 23, 2025
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
- ↑ Tennessee Legislature, "Tennessee Constitution," accessed May 22, 2014 (Article II, Section 15)
- ↑ The Tennessean, "Judges rule Tennessee Senate map unconstitutional, order legislature to redraw by Jan. 31," November 22, 2023
- ↑ The Tennessean, "Gov. Bill Lee signs redistricting bills dividing Davidson County into three congressional districts," February 7, 2022
- ↑ Washington Examiner, "Tennessee redistricting maps sent to full Senate for vote," January 19, 2022
- ↑ The Tennessean, "Tennessee senators approve new congressional, Senate districts; House to vote Monday," January 20, 2022
- ↑ The Tennessean, "Senate clears final redistricting map, Memphis and Knoxville House Democrats drawn together," January 26, 2022
- ↑ The Tennessean, "Senate redistricting panel hears public proposals without releasing committee draft," December 14, 2021
- ↑ Williamson Herald, "Tennessee House panel adopts new redistricting plan," December 20, 2021
- ↑ Axios, "Subdued Tennessee Senate redistricting maps released," January 14, 2022
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 All About Redistricting, "Tennessee," accessed May 5, 2015
- ↑ Shelby County Election Commission, "Democratic and Republican Special Primary Election—Thursday, June 15, 2023," accessed April 20, 2023
- ↑ The Hill, "Justin Pearson reinstated to Tennessee state House after expulsion," accessed April 12, 2023
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett, "WRIT OF ELECTION STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DISTRICT 86," accessed November 30, 2022
- ↑ Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett, "Tennessee House District 86," accessed November 30, 2022
- ↑ U.S. News & World Report, "Oldest Tennessee Lawmaker, Rep. Barbara Cooper, Dies at 93," October 26, 2022
- ↑ E.H. Ford Mortuary, "State Representative Barbara Ward Cooper," October 26, 2022
- ↑ The New York Times, "Election 2016," accessed November 11, 2016
- ↑ Tennessee Secretary of State, "2016 general election results - Tennessee House of Representatives," accessed January 19, 2017
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 Tennessee Secretary of State, "Candidate Petitions Filed as of April 8, 2016 Noon Qualifying Deadline," accessed April 11, 2016
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 Tennessee Secretary of State, "August 4, 2016 Unofficial Election Results," accessed August 4, 2016
- ↑ Tennessee Secretary of State, "August 7, 2014 Election Results," accessed September 11, 2014
- ↑ Tennessee Secretary of State, "Petitions Filed for State Senate and State House of Representatives," accessed April 5, 2014
- ↑ Tennessee Secretary of State, "Official primary results," accessed October 24, 2013
- ↑ "Tennessee Secretary of State - Official general election results," accessed October 24, 2013
