Tennessee Senate District 9
August 6, 2026 · State Senate District 9; Tennessee · State senate district · primary
How do we calculate vote impact?
Vote impact = representation (how much weight one vote carries here, the smaller the district's population, the higher the representation) + decisiveness (how likely this race is to be close, based on past results and number of candidates).
Representation: Average · 40 out of 100
This district is mid-sized for its type, so each vote carries average weight. About 215,373 people live here.
score = 100 × ln(largest population ÷ this district's) ÷ ln(largest ÷ smallest), rounded to 2 decimals = 100 × ln(228,447 ÷ 215,373) ÷ ln(228,447 ÷ 197,150) = 40, comparing state senate districts in TN (grades: 66+ high, 33+ average, otherwise low)
Decisiveness: None · only 1 candidate
One candidate is running unopposed, so votes can't change the outcome.
Average representation + an uncontested race → Below average vote impact.
State Senator is responsible for:
- Voting on state laws and the state budget
- Representing their district in the state senate
- Confirming certain governor appointments in many states
- Helping district residents deal with state agencies
Affected Areas: Environment and Public Health, Reduce Wealth Gap, Anti-Corruption, Government Efficiency, Healthcare Affordability, Government Spending Reduction, Public Safety and Crime Control, Housing Affordability, Social Programs and Welfare, Public Education Quality, Gun Control, Women's Reproductive Rights, Election Integrity, Personal Income Tax Reduction, Data Privacy, Civil Rights, Corporate Accountability, Public Infrastructure
Candidates
Steve Southerland
Republican · Incumbent · declared
Steve Southerland is the Republican Tennessee state senator for District 9 and serves as Senate Deputy Speaker and Senate Republican Caucus chaplain. A retired mortgage broker from Morristown, he has served in the Senate from the 103rd through 114th General Assemblies and holds committee roles in judiciary and government, commerce and labor, fiscal review, government operations, and education, health and welfare.
Records: Corporate Accountability 2 for, Election Integrity 1 for, Environment and Public Health 1 for, Government Efficiency 2 for, Personal Income Tax Reduction 1 for, Public Education Quality 2 for, Public Infrastructure 1 for, Public Safety and Crime Control 2 for, Social Programs and Welfare 4 for
Election sources
Source: cockecountyelections.org
Source: cockecountyelections.org
Source: ballotready.org