John Gillespie is a Republican incumbent representing one of Tennessee’s most competitive districts, and one of its most extreme. Since winning a Memphis-area seat in 2020, Gillespie has embraced the far-right playbook: banning gender-affirming care, attacking drag shows, pushing censorship in schools, and defending Tennessee’s abortion ban with no exceptions for rape or incest.
In 2024, he barely held on, defeating Democrat Jesse Huseth by just 3.4%. Democrats carried the top of the ticket, and turnout surged in East Memphis and Cordova. Gillespie’s narrow victory was no show of strength. It was a warning sign. This district is purple. It’s shifting left. And Gillespie is governing like it isn’t.
He may have squeaked by in 2024, but voters now know his record. He’s exposed. He’s extreme. He’s beatable.
Anti-LGBTQ+ and Anti-Family Record
Voted for Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for trans youth, criminalizing doctors and removing care.
Supported law defining sex strictly as male or female at birth, excluding intersex and trans identities.
Backed legislation targeting drag shows, restricting performances and criminalizing entertainers.
Supported bill allowing officials to refuse marriage services to same-sex couples.
Voted for anti-trans bathroom legislation.
His votes worsened harassment, depression, and displacement among LGBTQ+ Tennesseans, especially youth.
Out of step with diverse Memphis-area families and constituents.
Attacks on Reproductive Freedom
Reliable anti-abortion vote; endorsed by Tennessee Right to Life.
Supported state’s total abortion ban with no exceptions for rape or incest.
Voted to maintain criminal penalties for doctors, even in emergencies.
Helped weaken reforms that would have expanded life-saving exceptions.
Absolute opposition to reproductive rights; no votes protecting privacy or autonomy.
Record is extreme and disqualifying in a district where voters support abortion access.
Culture War Over Constituents
Campaigns as a moderate but votes like a far-right ideologue.
Backed ban on teaching “divisive concepts” in schools, censoring lessons on race, sex, and history.
Voted to prohibit implicit bias training; backed bills to erase DEI programs.
Prioritizes drag shows, pronouns, and “woke education” over jobs, healthcare, or safety.
Constituents want pragmatic leadership; his record is out of step.
Tennessee Republicans support him, but his district does not.
Key Vulnerabilities
Won by just 466 votes in 2020; only 52% in 2024, even with GOP resources.
Democrats carried the presidential vote in the district; turnout surged among younger, diverse voters.
Redistricting added more Democratic areas; seat is more favorable to Democrats.
Suburban Memphis shifting left; Democrats competitive in every East Memphis precinct.
Gillespie’s “moderate” image contradicted by hardline record; voters see the disconnect.
John Gillespie has spent four years pushing Tennessee’s most extreme policies on his moderate Memphis district. He’s attacked LGBTQ+ kids, supported a total abortion ban, and worked to censor public education.
He has:
A hardline record on abortion and LGBTQ+ rights
A shrinking margin in fast-changing suburban district
A voting record out of step with his constituents
No major legislation to improve local schools, jobs, or healthcare
