Every two years, the even- and odd-numbered districts in the Tennessee State Senate take turns being up for election. There are 33 seats, which means that either 16 or 17 seats are up each time. In 2012, the 16 even-numbered seats have their turn. Due to redistricting, some districts have altogether relocated (such as District 28, which was in Memphis, and is now in rural southern Tennessee), while others have changed which counties they contain, either partially or completely. A Senate term is four years. Click on the number to see declared candidates for that district. (Some potential candidates are also included, with names in italics.)
(Looking for United States Senate candidates from Tennessee instead? Click here.)
| 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 |
| 18 | 20 | 22 | 24 | 26 | 28 | 30 | 32 |
Don’t know your district? (New statewide district map)
District 2
(formerly District 
Scott Hughes
Doug Overbey
- Party: Republican
- First elected: 2008
- Prior political experience: House of Representatives, 102nd-105th General Assemblies
- Bio: Attorney
- Websites: Campaign | Official
District 4
(formerly District 2)
Ron Ramsey
- Senate Speaker and Lt. Governor of Tennessee
- Party: Republican
- First elected: 1996
- Prior political experience: House of Representatives, 98th-99th General Assemblies
- Bio: Real estate and auction company owner
- Websites: Campaign | Official
- Social media: Facebook
District 6
Evelyn Gill
Becky Duncan Massey
- Party: Republican
- First elected: 2011
- Bio: Businesswoman
- Website: www.beckymassey.com
- Social media: Facebook Page | Twitter
District 8
(formerly District 4)
Jeffrey Brantley
Mike Faulk — will not run for re-election
Cynthia Bundren Jackson
Frank Nicely
- Party: Republican
- Bio: Farmer
- Past political experience: Tennessee House of Representatives, District 17
- Website:
- Social media:
Hobart L. Rice
- Party: Republican
- Bio:
- Past political experience: State Executive Committeeman
- Website:
- Social media:
Micheal Williams — may run as a write-in candidate
- Party: Filed as Republican, but state party chair disallowed him from running in the primary
- Bio:
- Past political experience: Represented this district previously; current Union County Mayor
- Website:
- Social media:
District 10
Andy Berke – not running for re-election; may run for Mayor of Chattanooga (2013)
Vince Dean – is running for re-election to House of Representatives
Quenston Coleman
Todd Gardenhire
- Party: Republican
- Bio: Financial consultant
- Past political experience: At-large delegate, 2008 Republican National Convention
- Website:
- Social media:
Andraé McGary
- Party: Democratic
- Past political experience: Chattanooga City Council
- Website: andraemcgary.com
- Social media: Twitter
David Testerman
- Party: Democratic
- Bio: Retired educator
- Past political experience: Hamilton County Board of Education
- Website:
- Social media:
Greg Vital
- Party: Republican
- Bio: Businessman
- Past political experience: Commissioner, City of Collegedale, Tennessee
- Website: www.votegregvital.com
- Social media: Facebook page | Twitter
District 12
Ken Yager
- Party: Republican
- First elected: 2008
- Prior political experience: Roane County Executive, 1982-2006
- Bio: Educator
- Websites: Campaign | Official
- Social media: Facebook Page
District 14
(formerly parts of Districts 13 and 16)
Matt Randolph
Jim Tracy
- Party: Republican
- First elected: 2004
- Bio: Insurance agent
- Websites: Campaign | Official
- Social media: Twitter
District 16
(formerly parts of Districts 10 and 14)
Jeff Bottoms
Janice Bowling
Eric Chance
- Party: Republican
- Past political experience: Coffee County Commissioner
- Website: www.votechance.com
- Social media: Facebook page | Twitter
William Kevin Dunlap
Thomas M. Elliott
John Hargis II
Kevin Lawrence
Jim Lewis
Rod McClellan
Steve Roller
Eric Stewart – running for U.S. House of Representatives
Ron Stoltzfus
- Party: Republican
- Bio:
- Past political experience:
- Website: voteron.net
- Social media: Twitter
Justin C. Walling
District 18
(includes parts of former Districts 17 and 20; no longer includes Robertson County)
J.H. Tony Allers
Maria A. Brewer
Jeff Coker
Brock Ewell
Ferrell Haile
- Party: Republican
- Bio: Pharmacist
- Prior political experience: Held this seat as interim senator from November 2010 – March 2011
Kerry Roberts — Robertson County has been moved to District 25
District 20
(includes parts of former Districts 19 and 21)
Brady Banks
James Baxter
- Party: Democratic
- Bio: University professor
Dewey Branstetter
David Briley
Scooter Clippard Jr.
Eric Crafton
Steve Dickerson
- Party: Republican
- Bio: Physician
- Website: www.votestevedickerson.com
Kevin Doherty
Richard Exton
Tim Garrett
David Hall
Joe Haynes — withdrew on February 3 2012
Rob Mortensen
- Party: Republican
- Bio: Businessman
- Past political experience:
- Website: robmortensen.com
- Social media: Facebook | Twitter
Phillip L. North
Ronnie Steine
District 22
Tim Barnes
Mark Green
- Party: Republican
- Bio: Healthcare executive
District 24
Roy Herron – is not running for re-election
Danny Jowers
- Party: Republican
- Prior political experience: Kenton Board of Aldermen; Obion County Commission
- Bio: Farmer, businessman
- Website:
- Social media: Facebook
John Stevens
Brad Thompson
District 26
Dolores Gresham
- Party: Republican
- First elected: 2008
- Prior political experience: House of Representatives, 2002-08
- Bio: U.S. Marine Lt. Colonel (Ret.)
- Websites: Campaign | Official
- Social media: Facebook
Meryl Rice
District 28
(formerly parts of Districts 13, 24, 25, 26)
Ty Cobb
- Party: Democratic
- Bio:
- Past political experience: Tennessee House of Representatives
- Website:
- Social media:
Dean Dickey
Joey Hensley
- Party: Republican
- Bio: Physician
- Past political experience: Tennessee House of Representatives
- Website:
- Social media:
District 30
Colonel G. Billingsley
Jim Kyle
- Senate Minority Leader
- Party: Democratic
- First elected: 1982
- Bio: Attorney
- Websites: Campaign | Official
- Social media: Facebook Page | Twitter
Beverly Marrero
- Party: Democratic
- First elected: 2006
- Prior political experience: House of Representatives, 2000-06
- Bio: Retired Retail Real Estate Consultant
- Websites: Campaign | Official
- Social media: Facebook Page
District 32
Woody Degan
Mark Norris
- Senate Majority Leader
- Party: Republican
- First elected: 2000
- Bio: Attorney, farmer
- Websites: Campaign | Official
- Social media: Facebook Page | Twitter
Qualifying Deadline
April 5, 2012
Primary Elections
August 2, 2012
General Election
November 6, 2012
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