Candidates interested in running in the special election for District 77 of the Tennessee House of Representatives have until September 26 to file. The primary is scheduled for November 5; early voting for the primary runs from October 16 through October 31. The special general election is on December 19.

 

The special election became necessary after the seat’s former occupant, Bill Sanderson (R), resigned on July 24, 2019, citing family and business demands. Sanderson was first elected to the chamber in 2010. He ran for re-election in 2018 and was unopposed in both the primary and general election. Casey Hood (R) was appointed to Sanderson’s former seat in September 2019 as an interim representative until the special can be held.

 

As of September, 76 state legislative special elections have been scheduled or held in 24 states. Between 2011 and 2018, an average of 77 special elections took place each year.

 

Heading into the special election, Republicans have a 73-26 majority in the state House. Tennessee has a Republican trifecta. A state government trifecta exists when one political party simultaneously holds the governor’s office and both state legislative chambers.