Image Credit: Michele Reneau & Antony-22 /CC
Tennessee Conservative News [By Olivia Lupia] –
Having just completed her freshman term in the House, conservative Representative Michele Reneau is running for reelection in District 27. Reneau says she is a “proven grassroots fighter” who “brings real-world experience, and an unwavering commitment to God, family, liberty” as she has worked to further conservative values and legislation during her tenure.
Here, we offer a sampling of some highlights from Reneau’s first two years at the capitol as she faces off against a primary challenger who appears to have some very different priorities than the Make America & Tennessee Healthy Again champion.
2024
Reneau made her first big impression on conservatives when she managed to unseat longtime incumbent and known RINO Patsy Hazelwood after a tough campaign where Hazelwood’s campaign allegedly blocked constituent comments and Reneau’s campaign signs were stolen and vandalized, which is a crime in Tennessee.
2025
Sponsored Legislation Expanding Tennessee’s Cottage-Food Laws: Hitting the ground running in her efforts to support health and food freedoms, Reneau carried HB0130 which expanded on the 2022 Food Freedom Act allowing farmers and other cottage-food producers to sell certain homemade, nonperishable foods, including baked goods and jams, with no need for inspection or licensing. Reneau’s bill grew those freedoms to include the legal sale of perishable foods like dairy, eggs, and poultry. The legislation passed unanimously in both chambers, going on to become state law.
Protected Students From The Use Of Preferred Pronouns: Reneau sponsored HB1262 which sought to include students in the list of those in the public school system who are not legally required to use preferred pronouns, expanding on a law passed in 2023 establishing those protections for teachers. While the bill passed the House Education Administration Subcommittee, it was taken off notice and General Subbed in the Senate, likely in favor of similar legislation, HB1270, that was later passed with Reneau voting “Yes” .
Protected Tennesseans’ Constitutional Rights: HB0324 limited the governor’s emergency powers by prohibiting them from suspending any part of the Tennessee Constitution in the issuance of an emergency order, proclamation, or rule. Reneau’s “Yes” vote helped ensure checks and balances remain on executive branch overreach, though Gov. Lee refused to sign the bill and allowed it to pass into law without his endorsement.
Voted Against Establishing A Legal “Right” To Reproductive Technologies: The controversial “Fertility and Contraceptive Protection Act” was framed as a reproductive healthcare protection measure but was deemed dangerous by conservatives and pro-life advocacy groups for its disregard of both the state and scientific definitions of “unborn child”. HB0533 essentially codified the ability to indiscriminately create and discard human embryos through fertility treatments and technologies like IFV and was supported by Planned Parenthood and the ACLU. Rep. Reneau voted to protect life by voting “No”, but the bill still became state law.
Helped Create The Offense Of Human Smuggling In Tennessee: HB0322 created the offenses of human smuggling, harboring or hiding, and assisting another in harboring or hiding illegal immigrants that are known to have illegally entered or remained in the country. Reneau’s “Yes” vote helped put a law in place to combat the illegal alien crisis in Tennessee even as Republican leadership was resisting other efforts to tackle the issue.
Defended 2nd Amendment Rights: Reneau signed onto a letter alongside several other conservative lawmakers rebuking the state’s decision to appeal a court ruling which declared that two provisions of Tennessee law regarding the right to bear arms are unconstitutional. “Instead of celebrating this affirmation of our freedoms, our Tennessee taxpayer dollars may be used to appeal the decision. Why should Tennesseans pay to fight against their own rights? Leaders are entrusted to protect our liberties- not spend public resources to diminish them,” she wrote.
The case is still pending, and an appeals court heard arguments at the end of June but did not indicate when it would issue a decision.
Joined Tennesseans In Prayer & Fasting: The passage of HJR0051 enacted an annual statewide month of prayer and fasting each July to worship the Lord, seek repentance, and ask the Holy Spirit to move within the halls of government, classrooms, businesses, and homes, “bringing peace, hope, love, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, temperance, forbearance, and joy.” Reneau not only voted in favor the resolution but proved her vote was not just for show by attending the gathering in Hamilton County, joining community and spiritual leaders in prayer and worship.
2026
Co-Sponsored Legislation Honoring Charlie Kirk: HJR0711 honored Kirk’s legacy of faith, freedom, and family, and his devotion to the service of his country and advancing the cause of freedom. It further acknowledged his courageous faith which “shaped his vision” and “informed his leadership.” Reneau was one of the first Representatives to sign on as a co-sponsor to the resolution which passed both chambers and was signed by the Governor.
Sponsored Legislation Removing Artificial Dyes In School Foods: Building on legislation she supported in 2025 that removed Red 40 dye from school meals and snacks, Reneau carried HB1853 which eliminates all artificial food dyes from food or beverage items served as part of the school’s nutrition program.
Prioritized Individual Choice In Health Decisions: Continuing her efforts to Make Tennessee Healthy Again, Reneau sponsored HB2386 which would have added fluoridating a public water system to the list of prohibited acts concerning water systems in Tennessee. The bill narrowly passed the House Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee but died when the Senate committee failed to pass it for the second consecutive year. By carrying the legislation, Reneau stood in favor of informed consent and the right of Tennesseans to make their own health decisions regarding chemicals and additives in their food and water supplies. Reneau reportedly plans to revive the legislation in 2027 should she be reelected.
Sponsored Legislation Expanding Parental Access To Children’s Medical Records: With the passage of HB0853 parents will be provided with greater transparency regarding their children’s medical treatments. The bill closes a legal loophole and ensures a parent or legal guardian can access their child’s treatment records including for mental health, medical treatments, rehabilitation, prescription records, or for treatments provided to the child without parental consent.
Ensured Artificial Intelligence Is Not Given Personhood In Tennessee: HB0849 clarifies that in Tennessee law, wherever, wherever the word “person” is used, it always means a human being or human-led entity and not any kind of AI, which includes computer algorithms, hardware, software, or any other type of machine. Reneau’s sponsorship of this bill, and votes in favor of other AI-related legislation, helped create some safeguards around the rapidly growing AI field.
Tried To Preserve Citizens’ Right To Sue The State: This legislation became one of the most controversial pieces of 2026 as opponents of HB1971 contended it strips an individual’s right to challenge constitutionally questionable laws unless they are first harmed by it. Reneau voted “No” on the bill, attempting to preserve the ability of citizens to keep their government accountable, but the bill became Tennessee law.
And Reneau made significant progress this year on what she called her “Constitutional Liberty Agenda”, including sponsoring and passing bills cutting red tape for the child adoption process and allowing emergency personnel to provide emergency care to injured canine first responders. She also proposed a constitutional amendment reiterating the right of citizens to source their food how they see fit, but it failed in subcommittee when no member would offer a “second” to hear the resolution.
Reneau has scored a 96 on the Tennessee Legislative Report Card, with a lifetime score of 95 and an A leadership grade, making her one of the highest scoring members of the state legislature. Her financial report shows roughly 87% of her contributions have come from individual donors since 2024 and that only about 8% is from PACs or special interest groups. Voters can read the full report HERE.
For the August 6 primary election, Reneau is facing Tony Hullender, an attorney who started his career in litigation at the Chattanooga firm Miller and Martin, later becoming Senior Vice President and General Counsel for of BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee before most recently working under the Tennessee Attorney General’s office, civilly prosecuting TennCare fraud in the Medicaid Fraud Division.
Hullender and Reneau have engaged in recent candidate forums, where the differences in their platforms and priorities have been revealed, particularly in the areas of illegal immigration, abortion, medical freedom, and the Second Amendment.
And regarding health and wellness, Hullender explicitly stated at one event that those who believe the Make America Healthy Again movement is a priority should vote for Michele as he does not believe it is of great import to Tennesseans.
To learn more about the candidates and their positions, visit their official campaign websites:
Michele Reneau- https://www.electmichele.com/
Tony Hullender- https://www.tonyhullender.com/
Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
3 Responses
Arch conservative Michele defeated a tepid conservative to gain office. Now we shall soon see whether Tennessee conservatives can keep her there as she is challenged by a tepid conservative who wants to reverse the results of the previous election.
Gotta love representative Michele Reneau, she is one of the few who has proven to be conservative, where most, especially the Governor, pretend to be conservative and vote the opposite. We must all stand with her or we will get another Trojan Horse and Tennessee cannot take more of those, our wonderful state is on the brink.
Sad that we have so few like her.
Hope all will pray she’s reelected.