Tennessee House Republicans maintain 73-seat supermajority
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Incumbent State Representative Bryan Terry, MD, R-Murfreesboro, claimed a solid victory for the Tennessee House of Representatives District 48 seat on Nov. 3.
Terry, an anesthesiologist, received 62 percent of the vote on election night, overwhelmingly defeating a Democratic challenger. First elected in 2014, Terry will begin his fourth term when the 112th General Assembly convenes on Jan. 12, 2021.
“I am so honored by the support and encouragement I have received from the people of Rutherford County who have once again placed their trust in me,” Terry said. “I will continue to fight for life, liberty, and livelihoods in our Volunteer State and remain focused on our shared values, like a strong economy, lower taxes, improved education, quality health care, and enhanced public safety.”
Terry has been a powerful voice in the General Assembly for the residents of his district, which includes the eastern half of Rutherford County. He has distinguished himself as a strong leader in the House of Representatives.
In his first three terms, Terry guided the passage of several pieces of legislation addressing public health issues, including the opioid crisis, medical transparency, and rising health care costs. He has worked to improve access to mental health care, children’s and senior’s health care. Terry has fought to make Tennessee communities safer through his support of legislation that improves resources and tools for law enforcement, firefighters, first responders and military personnel.
“Tennesseans are firmly behind their conservative leaders, and they helped deliver decisive victories for our party across all three grand divisions last night,” said House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville. “Congratulations to our 73 caucus members on their impressive victories; I look forward to partnering with them again during the 112th General Assembly so we can keep Tennessee headed in the right direction with the economy, education, health care, and law and order.”
In addition to Terry, substantial victories were claimed by the other Republican members of the Rutherford County delegation, once again providing a sweep for Republicans and ensuring Rutherford County is a GOP stronghold. Senator Shane Reeves (R-Murfreesboro) retained Senate District 14, while Representatives Charlie Baum (R-Murfreesboro), Tim Rudd (R-Murfreesboro), and Mike Sparks (R-Smyrna) retained their House seats. Senator Dawn White (R-Murfreesboro) is not up for re-election until 2022.
“Rutherford County has, once again, overwhelmingly, chosen economic prosperity, quality health care, opportunity, and safety over socialism, government intrusion, and protests,” stated Terry. “Republicans in Rutherford County increased our margins of victory from 2018 and outperformed the projections from the pundits. Despite needing to focus on our campaigns, our delegation has continued working for our county and state during these uncertain times and we look forward to continuing to meet the needs of our constituents.”
Tennessee has enjoyed the strongest economic growth of any state in the nation with some of the highest level of business investment, job creation and increased household incomes over the last 10 years under the Republican-led General Assembly. Because Conservative Republicans have made careful spending decisions, Tennessee’s finances are the healthiest in state history. Tennessee has the lowest debt of any state in the nation and is financially prepared to meet difficult economic challenges without raising taxes because of careful spending decisions made by Republicans over the past decade.
The Republican supermajority will remain focused on improving public education in Tennessee, making early childhood literacy a top priority in 2021. Tennessee students are currently among the fastest improving in the nation across math, reading, and science and the supermajority will work to further close achievement gaps across all grades.
Terry and leadership of the Republican-led General Assembly will continue working to remove government barriers to health care, improve access and quality while promoting affordability. Finally, House Republicans will build upon efforts to overhaul our current system of justice to create a system that balances justice with mercy. This will ensure we hold the worst of the worst accountable, while also supporting those who desire to successfully re-enter society by becoming productive citizens.
The 112th Tennessee General Assembly convenes at noon on Jan.12, 2021.
