Winners and Losers in State House and Senate Races

Below are the results of Nashville’s state House and Senate elections. This post will continue to update.

Senate District 20

In Nashville’s state Senate District 20, incumbent Democratic Sen. Heidi Campbell fended off a challenge from Republican Wyatt Rampy, the founder of a residential real estate firm. Campbell flipped the district from red to blue in 2020, having previously served as the mayor of Oak Hill. She also ran unsuccessful campaigns for Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District in 2022 and mayor of Nashville in 2023. Among Campbell’s priorities are reproductive rights, gun reform and transit.

“We did it!" Campbell told supporters gathered at the Davidson County Democratic Party party at Harken Hall in Madison. "One thing that we know about flipping a seat in a state like Tennessee is the most important thing is that we hang onto the seat. And we hung on to this seat.”

Campbell said 210 donors donated to her race. She thanked Rep. John Ray Clemmons (D-Nashville) for his support of the Democratic Party statewide.

“We have a lot of work to do in Tennessee, and I look forward to all that we’re going to do this next four years to eradicate the slate of hate, elect compassionate and reasonable people and pass legislation that supports the people who live here.”

House District 50

In Nashville’s state House District 50, Democratic incumbent Rep. Bo Mitchell has fended off a challenge from Republican Metro Councilmember Jennifer Frensley Webb. Mitchell was first elected to the seat in 2012, though he ran unopposed in the 2020 and 2022 general elections. Mitchell has opposed Gov. Bill Lee’s voucher efforts and proposed gun control efforts. Earlier this year, Mitchell challenged Frensley Webb’s eligibility in the race before the Davidson County Election Commission.

House District 51

Nashville’s incumbent Democratic state House Rep. Aftyn Behn defeated independent candidate Jeff Ketelsen and will retain her seat. Before her election to succeed the late Bill Beck in the seat last year, Behn was a fixture at the state Capitol as an advocate for progressive causes. 

House District 52

Nashville’s incumbent Democratic state House Rep. Justin Jones fended off a challenge from Republican Laura Nelson and will retain his seat. Jones gained national attention in 2023 as a member of the “Tennessee Three” — following his protests for gun reform on the House floor in the wake of that year’s Covenant School shooting, Jones and state Rep. Justin Pearson of Memphis were expelled from their seats by the Republican supermajority. Jones was quickly reinstated. In the spring, Nelson challenged Jones’ eligibility before the Davidson County Election Commission, but the DCEC voted down Nelson’s challenge. This is the second time she has lost to Jones in the heavily Democratic district.

House District 53

Nashville’s incumbent Democratic state House Rep. Jason Powell has easily defeated Republican challenger Yog Nepal and will retain his seat in District 53. Powell has represented the district since 2012, and recently sponsored legislation to prohibit corporal punishment in public schools.

House District 54

Nashville’s incumbent Democratic state House Rep. Vincent Dixie ran unopposed and will retain his seat.

House District 55

Nashville’s incumbent Democratic state House Rep. John Ray Clemmons ran unopposed and will retain his seat.

House District 56

Nashville’s incumbent Democratic state House Rep. Bob Freeman ran unopposed and will retain his seat.

House District 58

Nashville’s incumbent Democratic state House Rep. Harold Love ran unopposed and will retain his seat.

House District 59

Nashville’s incumbent Democratic state House Rep. Caleb Hemmer ran unopposed and will retain his seat.

House District 60

Democrat and first-time candidate Shaundelle Brooks has defeated Republican candidate Chad Bobo in Nashville’s closely watched House District 60, which includes Hermitage, Donelson and parts of Old Hickory. Brooks, who narrowly secured a victory over Tyler Brasher in August’s Democratic primary, entered politics following the death of her son Akila DaSilva, who was killed in a mass shooting at an Antioch Waffle House in 2018. Bobo, a former aide to state House Speaker Cameron Sexton, lists economic development and infrastructure improvements among his top policy priorities.

“I’m trying to give my kids a decent life,” Brooks told the Scene in July. “Daily, I’m coming into contact with the school system, the health care system, insurance companies and gun violence. I stand up for people. I fight for people who don’t have a voice.” 

Since 2012, the district has been represented by Democrat Darren Jernigan, who opted not to seek reelection this year following his acceptance of a position in Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell’s administration.