Politics in the Volunteer State moves fast. If you’re trying to keep track of Tennessee representatives and senators, you’ve probably noticed that the roster changes just enough to be confusing, and the maps—well, those are a whole other story.
Most people think they know who’s speaking for them in D.C. or Nashville. Honestly, though? A lot of folks are still looking at outdated maps or assuming certain incumbents are still in their seats when they actually retired or moved on months ago. It’s not just about names on a ballot; it’s about who is actually holding the floor during those late-night sessions in the 119th Congress and the 114th General Assembly.
The Big Two: Tennessee’s Voices in the U.S. Senate
Let's start at the top. Tennessee is represented by two Republicans in the U.S. Senate: Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty.
Marsha Blackburn has been a fixture for a while. She made the jump from the House to the Senate back in 2019 and just secured her seat again in the 2024 November elections, comfortably defeating Gloria Johnson. She’s often the one you’ll see on national news talking about tech oversight or border security.
Then you have Bill Hagerty. He took office in 2021, filling the spot left by Lamar Alexander. Hagerty’s background is a bit different—he was the U.S. Ambassador to Japan before this. If you’re keeping an eye on the calendar, Hagerty’s seat is the one coming up for re-election in 2026.
The House Mix: Who’s Who in the 119th Congress
The U.S. House is where things get localized. Tennessee has nine districts. For the longest time, the split was basically seven Republicans and two Democrats. But after the 2022 redistricting (which basically carved Nashville into three pieces), that shifted to an 8-1 Republican majority.
👉 See also: South Korea in Crisis: Why Yoon Suk Yeol Just Got Five Years in Prison
Here is the current lineup for the 119th Congress (2025–2026):
- District 1: Diana Harshbarger (Republican). She represents the far northeast corner, places like Kingsport and Johnson City.
- District 2: Tim Burchett (Republican). Based in Knoxville. He’s been making waves recently, even chairing a new "DOGE" (Department of Government Efficiency) subcommittee.
- District 3: Chuck Fleischmann (Republican). He covers the Chattanooga area and has been in office since 2011.
- District 4: Scott DesJarlais (Republican). Representing the south-central part of the state, including Murfreesboro.
- District 5: Andy Ogles (Republican). This is the "new" Nashville district that spans from parts of Davidson County down to Columbia.
- District 6: John Rose (Republican). He covers the Upper Cumberland region and suburbs east of Nashville.
- District 7: Matt Van Epps (Republican). This is a fresh face. He took over after Mark Green’s departure, representing a massive slice of middle Tennessee and parts of Nashville.
- District 8: David Kustoff (Republican). He’s the guy for West Tennessee, excluding most of Memphis.
- District 9: Steve Cohen (Democratic). The lone Democrat in the federal delegation, representing the heart of Memphis. He’s been there since 2007.
What’s Actually Happening in Nashville?
While the D.C. crowd gets the headlines, the folks in the Tennessee General Assembly are the ones actually touching your daily life—taxes, schools, and roads.
The state legislature is currently in its 114th session. It’s a bicameral setup, which basically means a 33-member Senate and a 99-member House. Republicans hold a "supermajority" here, meaning they have enough votes to override a governor’s veto without a single Democratic vote.
Randy McNally has been the Senate Speaker since 2017. He’s a pharmacist by trade and generally seen as a steady hand. On the House side, Cameron Sexton has been the Speaker since 2019.
Right now, the 2026 session is focusing heavily on a few "lightning rod" issues. You've probably heard about the Education Freedom Act. It’s the school voucher program Gov. Bill Lee has been pushing. There’s a massive debate over expanding this to 25,000 scholarships, despite some reports from the state comptroller suggesting students in the program haven't quite outperformed their public school peers yet.
🔗 Read more: Project 2025 Explained (Simply): The Truth About Your Birth Control Access
The Redistricting Drama
You can't talk about Tennessee representatives and senators without mentioning the maps. In December 2025, the Tennessee Supreme Court finally put a lid on some of the drama by upholding the state’s legislative maps.
Groups like the NAACP had challenged them, arguing that the way districts were drawn diluted the power of minority voters. The court didn't agree, at least not enough to force a redraw. This means for the 2026 elections, the lines stay as they are. This is a big deal for challengers who were hoping for more "competitive" districts.
The "DOGE" and National Influence
It’s kind of wild how much Tennessee is punching above its weight in national policy right now. Take Tim Burchett. He was recently tapped to chair a subcommittee focused on government efficiency. He’s been calling for subpoenas and investigations into NGOs and foreign influence.
Then you have the state’s interaction with the White House. Recent reports show that State House Speaker Cameron Sexton has been working closely with Stephen Miller on immigration policy. Tennessee is essentially "going first" on several new immigration laws that are intended to be blueprints for other states.
Actionable Insights for Tennessee Voters
If you want to actually have a say in how this all goes, you can't just wait for the general election.
- Check your district (again): Because of the 2022 and 2025 map changes, your "usual" representative might not be yours anymore. Use the Tennessee General Assembly's "Find My Legislator" tool.
- Watch the 2026 Primary: Since most Tennessee districts lean heavily one way or the other, the real election often happens in the primary. If you wait until November, the choice might already be made.
- Track the Bills: Don’t just listen to the news. Go to Capitol.tn.gov and look at the "Weekly Calendar." You can see exactly which subcommittees are meeting. Most people don't realize you can actually show up to these meetings in Nashville or watch them live online.
- Engage with District Offices: These reps have offices back home, not just in D.C. or Nashville. If you have a problem with a federal or state agency, their "constituent services" staff are actually paid to help you navigate the red tape.
The landscape of Tennessee representatives and senators is a mix of long-standing veterans and brand-new faces trying to make a mark. Whether it's the voucher debate in Nashville or the "DOGE" investigations in D.C., the decisions being made right now will shape the state for the next decade.