Tennessee House of Representatives District 20 in Tennessee State House District 20, Tennessee

2026 Primary Election

• Tom Stinnett — Incumbent Tennessee House of Representatives, District 20 in Friendsville, TN

  Tom Stinnett is an incumbent Republican State Representative for Tennessee House District 20, seeking re-election in the 2026 Primary. A retired STEM teacher, drivers instructor, and coach from the Maryville City School System, he also served nine years as a Blount County Commissioner. He holds degrees from East Tennessee State University, the University of Tennessee, and Lincoln Memorial. Stinnett champions conservative values, focusing on infrastructure, job creation, public safety, and education. His legislative priorities include limiting emergency powers, ending DEI practices, defining biological sex, strengthening pro-life protections, and securing the right to bear arms.

• Karen Gertz — Candidate for Tennessee House of Representatives in Maryville, TN

  Karen Gertz is a Democratic candidate for the Tennessee House of Representatives, District 20, in the 2026 Primary Election. A "Navy kid," she has lived across the U.S. and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology, having worked in technical writing, quality assurance, and auditing within the science industry. She is running to provide a progressive voice for her community, believing the state's supermajority doesn't represent citizens' needs. Her key policy positions include advocating for reproductive rights, LGBTQIA+ rights, robust public education funding, common sense gun safety legislation, and healthcare expansion. Gertz also supports a constitutional amendment to reduce big money's influence in politics.

• Jeff "cog" Coggin — Senior Aerospace Science Instructor in TN

  Dr. Jeff "Cog" Coggin is a retired Lieutenant Colonel from the United States Air Force, who currently serves as a Senior Aerospace Science Instructor for AFJROTC at Heritage High School in Tennessee. He previously held a role as an Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies for AFROTC. Dr. Coggin is running as an Independent candidate for the Tennessee House of Representatives, District 20, in the 2026 election. He pledges to run a people-powered, anti-corruption campaign, rejecting the influence of special interests and big money. He advocates for transparency and civility, with a stated aim to build a better democracy and make a real impact.