Tennessee held its general election on November 8, 2022, deciding 116 legislative seats and the office of Governor. No chamber changed party control.
Highlights
- Republicans added to an already lopsided hold on state government: Gov. Bill Lee (R) won a second term by about 32 points, the GOP gained two House seats, and voters approved all 4 constitutional amendments, including one that writes the state's right-to-work law into the constitution.
- Lee's opponent, Nashville physician Jason Martin (D), challenged Lee's record on abortion and education, warning that the state's abortion ban put doctors at risk of felony charges and opposing Lee's push for private-school vouchers. Lee outraised and outspent Martin, avoided debating him, and campaigned on the economy. The loss extended a Democratic drought in governor's races that began after the party's 2006 win.
- Rep. John Mark Windle (I), a 30-year veteran lawmaker who left the Democratic Party in 2022 to run as an independent in House District 41, was the only incumbent to lose, falling to Ed Butler (R) by about 5 points. Republicans also won the newly drawn House District 75 in western Montgomery County, where Jeff Burkhart (R) ran unopposed. Also in Montgomery County, Ronnie Glynn (D) held the open House District 67 for Democrats by about 150 votes over Tommy Vallejos (R). The state Senate's partisan balance did not change.
- In 61 legislative races, only one candidate was on the ballot, and Republicans won roughly seven in ten of those unopposed seats.
- How the amendments fared:
- Amendment 1 adds the right-to-work law to the state constitution, with about 70% support;
- Amendment 2 sets a process and line of succession for an acting governor, with about 75%;
- Amendment 3 removes language allowing slavery or involuntary servitude as criminal punishment, with about 80%, the widest margin of the four; Tennessee was one of five states with such a measure on the ballot;
- Amendment 4 repeals a provision barring religious ministers from serving in the legislature, with about 63%.
Legislature
- House (99 seats): 26 D, 73 R before the election, 24 D, 75 R after; control stayed with Republicans.
- Senate (33 seats): 6 D, 27 R before the election, 6 D, 27 R after; control stayed with Republicans.
Statewide races
Legislative races
Ballot measures
| Measure | Description | Result |
|---|
| Amendment 1 | Add right-to-work law to state constitution | Passed (70% yes) |
| Amendment 2 | Provide process and line of succession for acting governor | Passed (75% yes) |
| Amendment 3 | Repeal language allowing slavery or involuntary servitude as criminal punishments | Passed (80% yes) |
| Amendment 4 | Remove a constitutional provision stating that religious ministers cannot be elected to the Legislature | Passed (63% yes) |