Tennessee House of Representatives District 42 in Tennessee State House District 42, Tennessee

2026 Primary Election

• Ryan D. Williams — Incumbent Tennessee House of Representatives in TN

  Ryan D. Williams is an incumbent Republican representing Tennessee House District 42 since 2011, seeking re-election in the 2026 primary. He previously served as Majority Caucus Chair and now chairs the Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee, also sitting on the Appropriations and Health committees. A construction and business development professional with a B.S. in Biology from Carson-Newman College, Williams is married with two children and is Baptist. His legislative achievements include passing a bill to criminalize coercive suicide, guiding the state budget, and securing funds for Putnam County initiatives.

• Trenton Tyler Strode — Candidate for Tennessee House of Representatives in Cookeville, TN

  Trenton Tyler Strode is a candidate for the Tennessee House of Representatives, representing District 42, in the 2026 Democratic primary election. Born and raised in Cookeville, he advocates for strong voting rights, criticizing actions by Tennessee Republicans regarding redistricting in Putnam County. Strode stands with leaders like Justin J. Pearson and aligns himself against what he describes as a "racist version of town" guided by the Putnam County Republican Party. He aims to represent his community in the Tennessee State Legislature. His primary election is scheduled for August 6, 2026, with early voting from July 15-30.