State Rep. Aftyn Behn, D-Nashville, says she will bypass a repeat bid for Congress in favor of running for reelection to the state legislature, Axios Nashville reports. Behn ran for Congress last month in a special U.S. House election. She bested a competitive Democratic primary field but lost to Matt Van Epps by nine percentage points. In a recent Instagram post, Behn said the campaign took a physical and emotional toll after she received "a daily deluge" of violent threats. Her family also was harassed and stalked online. "This decision is about keeping myself and my family safe while continuing to care loudly for my constituents," she said in a press release. Behn also announced she will use the remainder of her campaign funds to "build organizing capacity in Tennessee while honoring our campaign commitment to fund a Davidson County organizer for the '26 cycle."

Longtime Oracle Corp. executive Rick Ewing will run on the Democratic ticket to represent state House District 59, the South Nashville seat being vacated by fellow Democrat Caleb Hemmer. In an interview with the Nashville Business Journal, Ewing said he wants to run as "an extension of the community work I've already been doing, that already excites me. In my family, that's just sort of what is asked and demand of you, and has been for generations. ... I like talking to people about what Nashville needs, what the state needs." Ewing is a manager of customer success for Oracle's health sciences clients. He joins retired state Highway Patrol Lt. Col. Mark Proctor in the Democratic primary. On the Republican side, Bill Hancock, an accounts executive with health care company Clinisys Inc. and an affiliate broker with Benchmark Realty, has indicated his intent to run.

Army veteran and former Sumner County Commissioner Chris Hughes has announced his campaign for Tennessee House District 45, the Nashville Banner reports. The seat is being vacated by Republican Johnny Garrett, who is running for Congress. Hughes says he is an “America First” conservative, who, if elected, would work to grow small businesses, eliminate property taxes, cut unnecessary licenses and fees, protect natural resources, and incentivize teachers who graduate from Tennessee colleges to teach in the state. The race will be on the ballot for the August primary and November general election.

Shelby County voters will head to the polls for countywide primary elections on May 5, with races including Shelby County mayor, all 13 county commission districts, court clerks, the assessor of property, sheriff, trustee, register of deeds, and Memphis-Shelby County Schools and Arlington Community Schools school board seats, the Commercial Appeal reports. Candidates began picking up petitions on Dec. 22, 2025, with the qualifying deadline set for Feb. 19 and the withdrawal deadline Feb. 26. Absentee ballot requests start Feb. 4 and end April 25. The voter registration deadline is April 6, and early voting runs from April 16 to April 30. After the May primary, Shelby County voters will return for the county general and statewide primary on Aug. 6 and the state and federal general election on Nov. 3.

Hamilton County Circuit Court Judge Jennifer Peck has announced her candidacy for the Republican nomination for the Division II seat on the 11th Judicial District Circuit Court in Hamilton County, according to a press release. Peck currently serves in the position, having been appointed by Gov. Bill Lee on May 9 to succeed Circuit Court Judge Mike Dumitru, who was appointed as a federal magistrate earlier this year. Peck grew up on Signal Mountain and earned her law degree from Regent University. Before her judicial appointment, she ran a law practice focused on domestic relations, litigation and mediation. The Republican primary for the seat set for May 5, 2026.

Former Lipscomb University professor Lauren Pinkston will run for governor as an independent candidate, the Tennessee Lookout reports. Pinkston, a first-time candidate from Columbia, has built her career researching human trafficking prevention and community development. Her campaign will focus on agriculture and education. She holds a doctorate from Clemson University and previously taught in the Lipscomb University College of Business. Pinkston will launch her campaign Saturday with events in Selmer, Columbia and Chattanooga. She joins a crowded field with 10 others vying for the office.

Former Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) Superintendent Marie Feagins is running in the Democratic primary for Shelby County mayor, The Daily Memphian reports. Records from the Shelby County Election Commission show Feagins has filed a form appointing a treasurer for her campaign. She joins six other contenders in the May primary, with the winner advancing to the August general election. Feagins came to Memphis in February 2024 as the district’s new superintendent. The school board fired her in January 2025, and she has since filed suit seeking to regain the position.

Knox County Commissioner Rhonda Lee is seeking to replace retiring General Sessions Court Judge Andrew Jackson VI, Knox News reports. Jackson announced his retirement in October, effective at the end of the year. The county commission will name a replacement for Jackson to serve through the end of his term. Lee says that if she is not selected for the temporary appointment, she will run in August 2026 for the seat. The commission is seeking applications and resumes from candidates interested in finishing out Jackson’s term. It will interview candidates on Dec. 8.

Jackson lawyer Jen Free has announced her intention to run for Madison County General Sessions Court judge, WBBJ reports. Free, an attorney with Byrd & Byrd, brings over two decades of courtroom experience and community involvement to her campaign. “The people of Madison County deserve a judge who is efficient, fair and deeply committed to justice,” said Free. “In General Sessions Court, every citizen should have their case heard promptly and with respect by a judge who applies the law with precision and integrity.” Free received her law degree from Nashville School of Law. The primary election is set for May 5, 2026, with the general election on Aug. 6, 2026.

Bolivar Mayor Julian McTizic has announced he will run for the District 80 seat in the Tennessee House of Representatives. The seat is currently held by Rep. Johnny Shaw, D-Bolivar, who says he is not seeking reelection in 2026. The Tennessee Journal reports that McTizic will run for the seat as a Republican. “I see this as a tremendous opportunity to continue my efforts in helping the community I love so much. My entire career has focused on helping people in need, and I would be blessed to and honored to serve the citizens of Hardeman, Haywood and Madison counties in the state house,” McTizic said. He is the youngest and first Black mayor of Bolivar and has served in that office since 2017. McTizic is president of the Tennessee Mayor’s Association and the West Tennessee Mayor’s Association. WBBJ has more on the story.