State representative defeats former House Republican in primary for Rose’s open seat in Tennessee

Campaign State representative defeats former House Republican in primary for Rose’s open seat in Tennessee Comments: by Sarah Davis - 08/06/26 9:39 PM ET Comments: Link copied by Sarah Davis - 08/06/26 9:39 PM ET Comments: Link copied

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Tennessee state Rep. Johnny Garrett is projected to win the Republican primary in the U.S. House race to replace outgoing GOP Rep. John Rose, according to Decision Desk HQ.

Garrett, a self-described “Trump Conservative,” will now advance to the November election where he will face Democratic nominee and former park ranger Mike Croley in a contest to represent Tennessee’s 6th Congressional District.

The district, which was recently reshaped in a redistricting effort in the state that overall favored Republicans, covers the middle of the state, including the suburbs of Nashville. The Cook Political Report characterizes this district as solidly red.

President Trump won Tennessee’s 6th District by over 26 percentage points against former Vice President Harris in the 2024 presidential election. A majority of voters in the district also backed Trump in his 2020 race against former President Biden. The district has been represented by a Republican U.S. House member since 2011.

Garrett bested Marine veteran Jon Henry and former U.S. Rep. Van Hilleary (R) in Thursday’s election. The Tennessee representative has served as the state House’s majority whip since 2019.

The attorney’s top policy issues include bans on trans women in women’s sports, border control, supporting Israel and bringing down the cost of living for Tennesseans, according to his campaign website. Garrett is endorsed by conservative activist Riley Gaines and Republican Rep. Jason Smith (Mo.)

The state representative entered the race after the seat’s incumbent became the first Republican last year to formally launch his bid for Tennessee governor. Rose is up against frontrunner, Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), in this race, who is leading him by a considerable margin in recent polling.

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