Knox County voters retain complete list of Tennessee House members

Knox County voters rehired all of their government representatives Nov. 5, although Democrats were hoping to flip one key race.

Democrats believed Brian Goldberg had a chance to defeat state Rep. Elaine Davis in District 18, which includes Sequoyah Hills and other areas of West Knoxville. The shift in 2022 hinted that Democratic support was growing, but it wasn’t enough.

This was the closest local race of the evening.

Two Democratic incumbents, state Reps. Gloria Johnson and Sam McKenzie, won their districts. McKenzie decisively defeated his Republican opponent, Justin Hurst. Johnson ran unopposed and will retain her seat even after she lost her U.S. Senate race to Marsha Blackburn.

In the Senate, voters backed Becky Duncan Massey, the Republican in power since 2011.

Here are the results of each race.

Tennessee House District 14

State Representative Jason Zachary used his victory speech to highlight Republican voter turnout. “When we started this journey, we begged people to come, and that’s exactly what happened this election cycle,” Zachary said. “When we show up, we make it clear that this is a conservative district.”

He is being challenged by Democrat Amanda Collins, 46, a former school psychologist.

Zachary, 46, technology consultant. He has held the position since 2015.

The 14th Tennessee House District includes parts of southeastern Knox County, including Northshore and Farragut. It has been represented by Republicans since at least 2004.

Tennessee House District 15

McKenzie more than doubled the votes of his GOP challenger, Justin Hurst, 51, an X-ray product specialist.

“I’m very happy with my win,” McKenzie told Knox News. “I hope there will be people there who will change the tone and focus of our legislature. I am very glad that the people of the 15th district sent me back.”

McKenzie, 59, is a former Oak Ridge National Laboratory employee and small business owner. He served on the Knox County Commission from 2012 to 2020 and has served in the Tennessee House of Representatives since 2021.

As one of the few Democrats in the Tennessee House of Representatives, McKenzie said his next term will focus on advocating for a higher minimum wage, criminal justice reform and public education funding amid the fight over school vouchers. “I will be in the super-minority party.” McKenzie said, “With that being said, my biggest goal is to fight back against the school voucher scam that our governor is hell-bent on pushing down our throats.”

The 15th Tennessee House District covers central Knox County, including downtown and South Knoxville. It has been represented by Democrats since at least 1988.

Tennessee House District 16

Republican Rep. Michelle Carringer, 62, was re-elected. She served on the Knox County Commission from 2012 to 2020 and has served in public office since 2021.

“I will promise everyone here that I will continue to work hard to keep our government small, keep our taxes low and protect individual freedom,” she said at an election watch party. “There’s a reason people move to Tennessee. … We’re so lucky to live here.”

Her opponent, 29-year-old Democrat Lauren Carver, is a gardener. Independent Sean Eastham, 25, works as a talent manager at KARM stores.

The 16th Tennessee House District covers parts of northeastern Knox County, including Fountain City and Powell. Since 1994, it has been represented by a Republican.

Tennessee House District 18

State Rep. Elaine Davis held on to her seat after Democrats tried to flip it.

“The 18th party wanted to remain conservative. I’m so proud of the work we did,” Davis said. “We want to make sure our values are reflected in policy, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve the 18th District again.”

Goldberg, who is new to politics, said he was proud of the steps he took on the campaign trail.

“We took all the right steps we could. We received great bipartisan support. We had some serious problems and I don’t regret the damn thing we did,” he told Knox News. “Sometimes things just aren’t meant to happen. And so, at the end of the day, I have a smile on my face because I’m really proud of the race we ran and the people who were part of the campaign. “

Davis, 57, retired. She served on the Knox County Commission for several months as a Democrat in 2008 and has served in the Tennessee House of Representatives since 2023.

Goldberg, 41, works as a manager at Belfor.

The 18th Tennessee House District covers parts of south and west Knoxville and South Knox County, including Sequoyah Hills and Mount Olive. It has been represented by Republicans since at least 2006.

Tennessee House District 19

Republican state Rep. Dave Wright, 73, won another term. He served on the Knox County Commission from 2008 to 2018 and has served in the Tennessee House of Representatives since 2019.

He did not meet the enemy.

The 19th Tennessee House District covers eastern and northeastern Knox County, including Carter and Gibbs. It has been represented by Republicans since at least 2002.

Tennessee House District 89

Republican state Rep. Justin Lafferty, 53, a small business owner, retained his seat. He has been in the Tennessee House of Representatives since 2021. His opponent, 48-year-old Democrat Carey Hammond, works as an accountant.

“It was a fun trip. Everyone will enjoy this evening. We hope we can “enjoy this in the next big days,” Lafferty told supporters. “This fight will not stop this evening.” It feels like our country is starting to wake up to this madness.”

The 89th Tennessee House District is in northwest Knox County, including Hardin Valley and Karnes.

Tennessee House District 90

Democratic state Rep. Gloria Johnson, 62, won re-election to her Tennessee House seat even though she lost to Marsha Blackburn in US Senate race. State law allows candidates to run in different races in the same election.

Johnson, a former educator, ran unopposed. She served in the Tennessee House of Representatives from 2013 to 2015 and was elected again in 2018.

The 90th Tennessee House District is expansive and covers areas north, east and west of downtown Knoxville, including the West Hills and Whittle Springs. Since its creation in 2021, it has been represented by a Democrat.

Ellie Feinberg covers politics for Knox News. Email her: [email protected] and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @alliefeinberg.