State Executive Committeewoman District 17 in Tennessee State Senate District 17, Tennessee

2026 Primary Election

• Melissa Alvarez — Founder and Executive Director of the Tennessee Hispanic Action Network in TN

  Melissa Alvarez is a Tennessee-based advocate and community leader dedicated to empowering people and fostering inclusivity. As the founder and Executive Director of the Tennessee Hispanic Action Network, she champions gun violence prevention, specifically addressing its disproportionate impact on the Latino community. With a background in social work, she recognized a crucial need for Latino voices in advocacy efforts and created a space for them and their allies. She emphasizes collaboration and community unity, aiming to build bridges among diverse groups. Alvarez is campaigning for the Tennessee Democratic Party Executive Committee, striving to advance progressive change and support a Democratic future for the state.

• Brittany Orpurt-Hilton — Candidate for State Executive Committeewoman in TN

  Brittany Orpurt-Hilton is running for District 17's representative to the Tennessee Democratic Party Executive Committee in the 2026 primary. Her district includes all of Wilson County and parts of Davidson County. With experience as former president of the Wilson County Democratic Women and current First Vice Chair of the Wilson County Democratic Party, she aims to rebuild and reinvigorate the county party, recruit Democratic candidates in red districts, and support fellow Democrats. She is dedicated to empowering local counties, bringing resources to progressives, and increasing voter engagement. She has also led community initiatives like fundraising for school lunch debt.

• Terri R. Nicholson — Incumbent State Executive Committeewoman in Mt. Juliet, TN

  Terri R. Nicholson is a conservative leader and incumbent State Executive Committeewoman for District 17 in Tennessee. A native of Mt. Juliet, she holds a business degree from Middle Tennessee State University. Her professional background includes experience as a national account manager at UPS, a small business owner, and a substitute teacher. The daughter and granddaughter of military veterans, she is married with three children. Nicholson advocates for fiscal responsibility, community involvement, transparency, and supports closed primaries to strengthen the Republican Party, guided by Christian family values and a focus on educational excellence.