Election Results and New Leadership for TN

The election is over, and Tennessee will see several changes in its state leadership. We will have a new Governor, 21 new members of the State House of Representatives, and one new State Senator. The new Governor is scheduled to be inaugurated on January 17, 2027, and the 115th Tennessee General Assembly will convene at noon on January 12, 2027.

Looking ahead to 2027, we will focus on building and strengthening relationships with policymakers across Tennessee. As new leaders take office and the General Assembly welcomes new members, it will be important for our community to introduce ourselves, share our experiences, and help policymakers better understand the issues affecting Tennesseans with disabilities. When they take office, you can send an email, card, or letter to congratulate them on their new role, introduce yourself and start the conversation. We’ll be here to help!

We will also be creating spaces to foster these relationships. We encourage community members, advocates, and member organizations to participate in our Disability Day on the Hill events throughout the year. We are working to finalize dates for a series of 2027 events and will share our Save the Date soon.

New Governor:

Marsha Blackburn will make history as the first woman elected Governor of Tennessee. She is also the oldest person ever elected to the office. Blackburn began her political career in the Tennessee General Assembly before moving to Washington to represent the state in Congress. The race was closer than expected, which could affect the political landscape going forward.

In addition to assembling a new staff, Blackburn’s early days in office will focus on preparing a budget to present to the General Assembly in early 2027. Unlike in previous years, there will be no public budget hearings for state departments this month, making this year’s budget process even less transparent than usual.

It is common for a new Governor to appoint a new cabinet of department heads (Commissioners), and sometimes assistant commissioners as well. If there are changes in departments that affect our community in the coming months, we will keep you informed.

The Tennessee General Assembly:

Half of the State Senate was up for election this year. Senate Speaker and Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally retired from his District 5 seat. Republican Jimmy Matlock was elected to replace him. He will be the only new member of the Senate this year, as all other incumbents seeking re-election won their races. When the General Assembly convenes in January, the Senate will elect a new Speaker, who also serves as Lieutenant Governor.

All 99 seats in the House of Representatives were on the ballot. Several members retired, leaving open seats, while six incumbents lost their races to challengers. Combined, these changes mean that 21 new members will join the House next year, more than one-fifth of the chamber.