Tennessee's eighty-fifth state house district is represented by Democratic Representative Jesse Chism.

Tennessee state representatives represent an average of 64,102 residents. After the 2000 Census, each member represented 57,468 residents.

About the chamber

Members of the Tennessee House of Representatives serve two-year terms and are not subject to term limits. Tennessee legislators assume office the 15th of January following the election.

Qualifications

To be eligible to serve in the Tennessee House of Representatives, a candidate must be:

• A U.S. citizen
• 21 years old before the general election
• A three-year resident of Tennessee before the general election
• A county resident for 1 year prior to the general election
• A qualified voter

• The following situations would eliminate a candidate from qualifying for office:
  • Those who have been convicted of offering or giving a bribe, or of larceny, or any other offense declared infamous by law, unless restored to citizenship in the mode pointed out by law;
  • Those against whom there is a judgment unpaid for any moneys received by them, in any official capacity, due to the United States, to this state, or any county thereof;
  • Those who are defaulters to the treasury at the time of the election, and the election of any such person shall be void;
  • Soldiers, seamen, marines, or airmen in the regular army or navy or air force of the United States; and
  • Members of congress, and persons holding any office of profit or trust under any foreign power, other state of the union, or under the United States.

Salaries

Vacancies

In Tennessee, there are two ways a vacancy can be filled in the house. When twelve months or more remain in a unfilled term, a special election must be held within the allowable time frame set by law. If less than twelve months remain in the term, the current members of the house must vote on a replacement.

Elections

2020

Elections for the office of Tennessee House of Representatives will take place in 2020. The general election will be held on November 3, 2020. A primary is scheduled for August 6, 2020. The filing deadline is April 2, 2020.

2018

No Republican candidates ran in the primary.

2016

Elections for the Tennessee House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election was held on August 4, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was April 7, 2016.

Incumbent Johnnie Turner ran unopposed in the Tennessee House of Representatives District 85 general election.
Incumbent Johnnie Turner defeated Keith Williams and Felicia Irons in the Tennessee House of Representatives District 85 Democratic primary.

Tennessee House of Representatives, District 85 Democratic Primary, 2016

2014

Elections for 99 seats in the Tennessee House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on August 7, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was April 3, 2014. Incumbent Johnnie Turner was unopposed in the Democratic primary. Turner was unopposed in the general election. R.S. Ford (D) was removed from the candidate list before the primary.

2012

Elections for the office of Tennessee House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on August 2, 2012, and a general election on November 6, 2012. The signature-filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was April 5, 2011. Incumbent Johnnie Turner (D) was unopposed in the general election and defeated Eddie Jones in the Democratic primary.

Tennessee House of Representatives, District 85 Democratic Primary, 2012

Campaign contributions

From 2002 to 2016, candidates for Tennessee House of Representatives District 85 raised a total of $318,004. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $18,706 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money.

Campaign contributions, Tennessee House of Representatives District 85