MEMPHIS, Tenn. — As voters gear up for the conclusion of a heated race for the White House, Memphians prepare for one in their own backyard.
The battle takes place in District 97 of the Tennessee House of Representatives, where newcomer Democrat candidate Jesse Huseth looks to take the role from Republican Rep. John Gillespie.
Gillespie's Platform
According to the Representative's Website, focus for Gillespie has been in his actions:
- Sponsored law requiring violent felons to serve their full prison sentence
- Voted to hire 200 more State Troopers
- Fought for additional State Troopers on Memphis interstates
- Prime sponsor of law increasing prison sentence for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon
- Passed law denying probation to criminals who use a firearm
- Supported policies that resulted in Tennessee being ranked the stop state for fiscal stability
- Voted to cut taxes on small businesses
- Opposed costly mandates on small businesses
- Supported laws that helped bring Ford Motor Company’s Blue Oval City to West Tennessee
- Voted for enhanced school safety measures to protect our children
- Backed more funding for career and technical courses to provide job-ready skills to high school students
- Supports the right of parents to have a strong voice in their child’s education
Huseth's Platform
According to the Challenger's Website, Huseth is primarily focused on Education and Public Safety:
- Oppose Gov. Lee's voucher program
- Lock down federal funding for education
- Increase spending in Trade and Technical Schools
- Make Trade and Technical Schools more affordable
- Make college cheaper to go to
- Fund the creation of a crime lab in Shelby County to cut down delays on things like rape kit backlogs
- Repeal permitless carry without background checks
- Allow courts to temporarily restrict access to guns if they are found to be a harm to themselves or others
- Require safe storage of guns in all vehicles
How shifting demographics may change this race
The district has been shifting purple from red over the past several years. This all started following the 2020 census, which showed a shift in demographics of race and political affiliation. District 97 spans from Chickasaw Gardens, to Berclair, parts of Cordova and East Memphis, all the way up to Pisgah Road near Eads.
During the 2022 redistricting, lawmakers removed parts of Bartlett and rural areas of Shelby County from the district, and adding large parts of East Memphis and Cordova.
Gillespie won his seat in 2022 with 56% of the vote. Gillespie previously winning the seat in 2020 by 500 votes, narrowly beating his opponent, Democrat Gabby Salinas, who's running unopposed for House District 96. He ran for election after former longtime District 97 Rep. Jim Coley did not seek re-election, citing health concerns.
