GOP Candidates Running Against Tennessee Democrat Incumbents In 2024 House & Senate Elections

Image Credit: canva

The Tennessee Conservative [By Adelia Kirchner] –

Several Democrat incumbents in the Tennessee General Assembly are facing GOP challengers in their race for reelection this year and we’ve put together a list of them for our readers.

(Note: Some campaign information is limited at the time of this article’s publication. This list is not exhaustive and should not be taken as an endorsement or indicator that any particular GOP candidate is inherently conservative.)

The Tennessee Conservative encourages our audience to thoroughly research their respective district’s candidates for themselves and evaluate each challenger’s potential for upholding conservative values in office prior to voting this election season.

House District 15 (Part of Knox County)

Incumbent Democrat: Rep. Sam McKenzie of Knoxville 

GOP Challenger: Justin Hirst

House District 50 (Part of Davidson County)

Incumbent Democrat: Rep. Bo Mitchell of Nashville 

GOP Challenger: Jennifer Frensley Webb

Webb assumed office as a member of the Nashville Metro Council representing District 10 in September of 2023. She sits on both the Budget and Finance Committee and the Government Operations and Regulations Committee for the council.

If Webb wins the election for state representative, she has committed to retaining her council seat so she can “provide representation for the people at the local and state level.”

Her platform is focused on the more localized issues of providing police and fire departments with needed resources and getting the homeless population housed and back “to an adequate way of life.”

Rep. Mitchell previously challenged five of the signatures submitted on Webb’s nominating petition. The Davidson County Election Commission did invalidate one of the challenged signatures but opted to allow Webb to remain in the running.

House District 51 (Part of Davidson County)

Incumbent Democrat: Rep. Aftyn Behn of Nashville 

Independent Challenger: Jeff Ketelsen

Ketelsen is currently running as an independent but initially filed as a GOP candidate. There are no official GOP candidates running against Rep. Behn. 

As an independent, Ketelsen will not appear on either primary ballot this August but he will be on the General Election ballot come November.

House District 52 (Part of Davidson County)

Incumbent Democrat: Rep. Justin Jones of Nashville

GOP Challenger: Laura Nelson

Nelson, who currently serves as the First Vice-Chair of the Davidson County Republican Party, previously ran against Rep. Jones in the district’s Special Election following Rep. Jones’ expulsion from the House in 2023 due to lack of decorum.

Nelson’s campaign platform focuses on crime reduction, supporting law enforcement, protecting children and parental rights, championing constitutional liberties, supporting limited government and states’ rights, as well as maintaining “a professional and respectful” presence in the state legislature.

This year, she challenged three of the signatures submitted on Rep. Jones’ nominating petition. However, the Davidson County Election Commission opted to allow Rep. Jones to remain in the running.

House District 53 (Part of Davidson County)

Incumbent Democrat: Rep. Jason Powell of Nashville 

GOP Challenger: Yog Nepal

Nepal’s platform is focused on keeping Tennessee safe, stopping human trafficking, creating jobs, education, and helping low-income families. 

House District 60 (Part of Davidson County)

Incumbent Democrat: Rep. Darren Jernigan of Old Hickory – (Retiring) 

GOP Challenger(s): Chad Bobo and Christopher Huff 

Bobo previously worked constituent and member relations for current Speaker of the House of Representatives, Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville-District 25), resigning from his position in order to run for office in District 60.

Bobo’s campaign platform states that he is running as a Christian Conservative and believes he can bring “effective conservative leadership” to the district. 

Areas of focus according to Bobo’s campaign include the economy, jobs, transportation, infrastructure, faith, family and freedom.

Huff is also running as a Christian and Conservative Republican to “Restore the Middle Class.” 

His platform is focused on bringing more new businesses to Middle Tennessee, lowering taxes, supporting parents, teachers, and students in Education, supporting law enforcement, and fighting for the unborn.

House District 67 (Part of Montgomery County)

Incumbent Democrat: Rep. Ronnie Glynn of Clarksville 

GOP Challenger: Jamie Dean Peltz

Peltz is running as “A Bold Voice for a Brighter Clarksville” with a campaign focused on infrastructure, education, public safety and veterans.

Her platform does not specifically claim to uphold conservative values.

House District 80 (Part of Hardeman, Haywood and Madison Counties)

Incumbent Democrat: Rep. Johnny Shaw of Bolivar 

GOP Challenger: Brad Grantham

Grantham is currently a Hardeman County Commissioner representing District 1, and sits on the Airport, Beer Board, Historical, and Solid Waste Committees.

He was previously appointed to the State of Tennessee’s Historical Commission by Gov. Bill Lee (R-TN) in 2022.

House District 93 (Part of Shelby County)

Incumbent Democrat: Rep. G.A. Hardaway of Memphis 

GOP Challenger: Renarda Renee Clariett

House District 98 (Part of Shelby County)

Incumbent Democrat: Rep. Antonio Parkinson of Memphis 

GOP Challenger: Cecil Hale

Senate District 20 (Part of Davidson County)

Incumbent Democrat: Sen. Heidi Campbell of Nashville

GOP Challenger: Wyatt Rampy

Rampy, Founder and President of Poplar Hill Realty, serves on the Bellevue Community Foundation board, the Nashville Christian School board, the God’s Word for Warriors board and the World Christian Broadcasting board.

He previously ran for the District 59 House seat back in 2022 but was beat out by now Rep. Caleb Hemmer (D).

Rampy’s campaign platform focuses on exceptional schools, safe communities, and a thriving economy.

About the Author: Adelia Kirchner is a Tennessee resident and reporter for the Tennessee Conservative. Currently the host of Subtle Rampage Podcast, she has also worked for the South Dakota State Legislature and interned for Senator Bill Hagerty’s Office in Nashville, Tennessee. You can reach Adelia at adelia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.