NASHVILLE, Tenn. – State Rep. Clay Doggett, R-Pulaski, has been named the Legislator of the Year by the Tennessee Republican Party.
House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, and Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, presented the award to Doggett at the 48th annual Tennessee Republican Party Statesmen’s Dinner in Nashville.
“It’s a privilege to be named Legislator of the Year, and I’m grateful to Speaker Sexton and Lt. Gov. McNally for their support,” Doggett said. “My colleagues and I have worked together to improve public safety, protect children, and preserve individual freedoms. It’s an incredible honor to serve the residents of Giles, Lawrence, and Lincoln counties, and I look forward to continuing to fight for all Tennesseans.”
The Legislator of the Year Award was established in 2024 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Tennessee becoming a majority red state. Republicans in 1994 won both U.S. Senate seats, the governor’s office, and five of the state’s nine congressional seats. The award is presented to a lawmaker who demonstrates exemplary public service while upholding strong conservative values.
“Rep. Clay Doggett’s well-deserved recognition as Legislator of the Year reflects his tireless work in criminal justice reform and his advocacy for Tennesseans with special needs,” said Sexton. “His dedication is making a real difference for families across our state.”
The Statemen’s Dinner is the largest state Republican Party dinner in the United States, hosting an estimated 1,700 people this year with the theme “Tennessee’s Golden Age.”
During the first half of the 114th General Assembly, Doggett passed laws to strengthen justice for victims of child sexual abuse and crack down on violent crime. He was also instrumental in advancing a proposed constitutional amendment to expand victims’ rights, called Marsy’s Law, which Tennesseans will be able to vote on in the Nov. 3, 2026, election.
In 2024, Doggett passed the Debbie and Marie Domestic Violence Protection Act to protect victims of domestic violence in Tennessee. Additionally, he addressed the school resource officers (SRO) shortage by allowing retired law enforcement officers to be reemployed as full-time SROs.
He has also passed laws improving transparency for public servants and protecting Tennesseans from dangerous and illegal drugs like fentanyl.
A small business owner and former law enforcement officer from Giles County, Doggett has represented District 70 in the House of Representatives since 2019. He is chairman of the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee and also serves on the Judiciary Committee, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, Children and Family Affairs Subcommittee and the Private Acts Committee.
The 114th General Assembly will reconvene in January.
State Rep. Clay Doggett represents District 70 in the Tennessee House of Representatives, which includes Giles and part of Lawrence and Lincoln counties.