KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Rep. Gloria Johnson (D - Knoxville) formally announced she would run for the U.S. Senate in September 2023. She also said Wednesday she would also run to keep her seat in the state House of Representatives.
At the same time, Republican lawmakers introduced and are discussing a bill that would bar Tennessee candidates from running in two races during the same election. SB 1968 was introduced by Sen. Richard Brigss (R - Knoxville) and passed the Senate State and Local Government Committee.
The bill would change state law to say candidates could only submit one qualifying petition to run in a race and said county election commissions could not accept more than one petition per person. It said candidates could not run for more than one office voted on by voters.
"An individual holding an elected office of a local government shall not hold another elected office in this state at the same time," the bill says.
The bill also specified the prohibition on running for two offices would not apply to qualifying or nominating petitions for state executive committee, presidential delegates, or to qualify as a candidate for a special session. Currently, candidates are allowed to run for multiple offices in Tennessee, according to Johnson's team.
Johnson is expected to face Republican incumbent Marsha Blackburn in the U.S. Senate race, after attracting national attention for her role as a member of the Tennessee Three. During the regular 2023 legislative session, she joined two other Democrat colleagues and approached "the well" as a demonstration in the House erupted.
She was the only one to survive a vote expelling her from the House after she said Republican lawmakers filed resolutions with inaccurate statements. Those resolutions said she used a bullhorn and held up signs during the demonstration, while she said she only stood with her colleagues.
On Wednesday, he released a statement about the race and the bill, saying she filed for reelection after hearing from voters in her district.
Her full statement is available below.
“From the very beginning of my journey in public service, my focus has always been on bettering my community and our state. After a lot of deep reflection, and after an outpouring of calls, texts, and emails from voters in the district, I have made the decision to file for reelection to the House in 2024 as I run for US Senate.
While my focus is on defeating Marsha, and returning her seat to the people, my heart is with serving Tennessee in whatever capacity I am able.
Now, I know that some of my Republican colleagues feel threatened by this, because I stand up to their bullying. That is why they have been working on a bill this week to prevent a state official from running for two offices. But let me say this: I will not be silenced, and I will never be intimidated. The people of District 90, as well as the people of Tennessee, have the right to decide who represents them, and I’m committed to earning their votes in November.”
After Johnson announced her candidacy for the U.S. Senate, a Knoxville City Council member announced she would seek to be elected into her seat. That city council member, Seema Singh, said she would suspend her campaign on Wednesday.
Singh's full statement is available below.
"Knoxville City Council Member Seema Singh, who had previously announced her candidacy for House District 90 has fully endorsed and will support Representative Johnson. She will be suspending her campaign. 'When Gloria wins both races, I am fully prepared to run in the special election for State Representative #90'"