Five Incumbent Tennessee State Senators Turn Back Primary Challengers
17 seats in the Tennessee Senate are up this year.
The Democratic and Republican primaries occurred today in Tennessee to select candidates for the November 2026 general election. This post covers the races for 17 seats in the State Senate. Separate posts will be covering the primaries for federal and statewide executive races as well as all 99 seats in the State House of Representatives. Meanwhile, the general elections occurred today for positions in seven of the state’s most-populous counties.
The general election for these 17 seats in the Tennessee Senate will be held on November 3, 2026.
District 1:
No candidate qualified for the Democratic primary.
Incumbent J. Adam Lowe won the Republican primary with 65.2% (15,314) against realtor Teresa Congioloso with 19.1% (4,489) and farmer Dennis Beavers with 15.7% (3,694). 23,497 votes counted.
District 3:
No candidate qualified for the Democratic primary.
Incumbent Rusty Crowe won the Republican primary with 59.8% (15,820) against businessman Dan Pohlgeers with 40.2% (10,621). 26,441 votes counted.
District 5:
Teacher David Miller won the Democratic primary.
Former State Representative Jimmy Matlock won the Republican primary.
District 7:
2022 nominee Bryan Langan won the Democratic primary.
Incumbent Richard Briggs won the Republican primary with 66.3% (13,686) against business owner Kent Morrell with 33.7% (6,948). 20,634 votes counted.
District 9:
No candidate qualified for the Democratic primary.
Incumbent Steve Southerland won the Republican primary.
District 11:
Stay-at-home parent Tim Roberts won the Democratic primary.
Incumbent Bo Watson won the Republican primary.
District 13:
Tennessee State University stewardship director Angela Evans Wynn won the Democratic primary.
Incumbent Dawn White won the Republican primary.
District 15:
No candidate qualified for the Democratic primary.
Incumbent Paul Bailey won the Republican primary.
District 17:
Librarian Lindsey Patrick-Wright won the Democratic primary with 56.6% (7,236) against Wilson County party official Joni Cochran with 43.4% (5,543). 12,779 votes counted.
Incumbent Mark Pody won the Republican primary with 67.6% (15,311) against singer-songwriter Butch Baker with 32.4% (7,345). 22,656 votes counted.
District 19:
Incumbent Charlane Oliver won the Democratic primary.
No candidate qualified for the Republican primary.
District 21:
Incumbent Jeff Yarbro won the Democratic primary.
No candidate qualified for the Republican primary.
District 23:
No candidate qualified for the Democratic primary.
Incumbent Kerry Roberts won the Republican primary.
District 25:
No candidate qualified for the Democratic primary.
Incumbent Ed Jackson won the Republican primary.
District 27:
Businessman David Hardy won the Democratic primary.
Incumbent Jack Johnson won the Republican primary.
District 29:
Incumbent Raumesh Akbari won the Democratic primary.
No candidate qualified for the Republican primary.
District 31:
Pastor David Weatherspoon won the Democratic primary.
Incumbent Brent Taylor won the Republican primary.
District 33:
Incumbent London Lamar won the Democratic primary with 76.1% (14,940) against community advocate Tamika Abrum with 23.9% (4,689). 19,629 votes counted.
No candidate qualified for the Republican primary.