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 8 ) (new regional district map)
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) (new Carter County map)
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
Becky Duncan Massey
- Party: Republican
- First elected: 2011
- Bio: Businesswoman
- Website: www.beckymassey.com
- Social media: Facebook Page | Twitter
District 8
(formerly District 4) (new regional district map)
Mike Faulk
- Party: Republican
- First elected: 2008
- Bio: Attorney
- Websites: Campaign | Official
- Social media: Facebook
District 10
Andy Berke – may run for Mayor of Chattanooga
- Party: Democratic
- First elected: 2007
- Bio: Attorney
- Websites: Campaign | Official
- Social media: Facebook Page | LinkedIn | Twitter
Vince Dean
- Party: Republican
- Prior political experience: East Ridge mayor; Tennessee House of Representatives
- Bio: Former law enforcement
- Website:
- Social media: 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)
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)
Eric Stewart – running for U.S. House of Representatives
District 18
(includes parts of former Districts 17 and 20; excludes Robertson County)
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
Kevin Doherty
- Party: Democratic
- Bio: Attorney
Richard Exton
- Party: Democratic
- Bio: Real estate appraiser
Tim Garrett
David Hall
Joe Haynes — withdrew on February 3 2012
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
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
District 28
(formerly parts of Districts 13, 24, 25, 26)
Ty Cobb
Dean Dickey
Joey Hensley
District 30
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
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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