Each cell paraphrases what the candidate says they will do, from their own campaign materials, questionnaires, or interviews. Rows are shared issue categories; only categories at least one candidate addressed are shown.
Issue
Richard M. Briggs Republican
Bryan Langan Democratic
Taxes & spending
No stated position
End the state sales tax on groceries, clothing under $50, and footwear under $100; legalize and tax cannabis sales, using the revenue for infrastructure and education.[1]
Cost of living & housing
No stated position
Raise the minimum wage, repeal the 2018 ban on local affordable-housing requirements, return housing decisions to cities and counties, and ban surge pricing and surveillance pricing.[1]
Education
No stated position
Fully fund public schools, support teachers, and expand pre-K.[1]
Sponsored the 2025 law banning THCA hemp products and shifting hemp regulation to the Alcoholic Beverage Commission, which he said supports Tennessee hemp growers competing against out-of-state sellers of products that are not legal.[2][3]
Protect mountains, waterways, and wildlife, and invest in water conservation, reclamation, and upgraded sewage systems to stop contamination of waterways.[4]
Abortion
Sponsored a 2025 bill (SB1425) to let physicians end pregnancies involving a lethal fetal anomaly without committing criminal abortion; he said he wants to redefine medically necessary terminations, separate medical care from cultural fights, and that the current law is flawed and vulnerable in court.[5][6]
Restore the right to bodily autonomy; he opposes the state's abortion ban.[1][4]
Government & elections
No stated position
Reform campaign finance laws to curb corporate and special-interest money; enact term limits for state senators, representatives, and judges; draw nonpartisan districts that keep communities together; adopt ranked-choice voting; and pass a privacy act ending mass surveillance of residents, such as by networked cameras.[1]
Member of the Tennessee Senate for District 7 since November 2014 (109th through 114th General Assemblies).[7][8]
Chair of the Senate State and Local Government Committee; member of the Senate Transportation and Safety Committee and the Senate Rules Committee.[7]
Member of the Knox County Commission, elected in 2008 and re-elected in 2010.[9]
Heart and lung surgeon in Knoxville for more than 30 years; M.D., University of Kentucky College of Medicine.[7][9]
Retired U.S. Army colonel; served as a combat trauma surgeon in Operation Desert Storm, receiving the Bronze Star, and later completed tours in Afghanistan and Iraq.[7][9]
Why they're running
His campaign says he stands for improving education, creating jobs, and keeping taxes low, and that he promises to continue serving the district with honor and integrity. It says he believes the community and the state can do better.[10]
Platform
Public safety & justice
Sponsored the 2025 law banning THCA hemp products and shifting hemp regulation to the Alcoholic Beverage Commission, which he said supports Tennessee hemp growers competing against out-of-state sellers of products that are not legal.[2][3]
Abortion
Sponsored a 2025 bill (SB1425) to let physicians end pregnancies involving a lethal fetal anomaly without committing criminal abortion; he said he wants to redefine medically necessary terminations, separate medical care from cultural fights, and that the current law is flawed and vulnerable in court.[5][6]
Arguments
Arguments for
His limits on hemp-derived THC products help in-state hemp farmers who follow the rules compete with out-of-state sellers of products that are not legal.[2]
His bill would let physicians end pregnancies with a fatal fetal condition and would protect doctors from criminal charges when they treat dangerous pregnancies.[5]
A heart surgeon and retired Army trauma surgeon, he brings decades of medical experience to the legislature's health care decisions.[9]
Arguments against
His ban on THCA products hurts small Tennessee businesses rather than out-of-state corporations and could shutter a multi-million-dollar industry.[2]
He has not supported school voucher programs and has introduced bills to allow more medical exceptions to the state's abortion ban.[3][5]
Graduate of the University of Tennessee; lives in the Karns community and has lived in Knoxville for more than 25 years.[1][4]
Has worked for nearly three decades in blue-collar jobs, including the service industry, management, and the trades.[1]
Was the 2022 nominee for state Senate District 7 and lost the general election to Richard Briggs.[3][11]
Why they're running
He says he is running to bring accountability to state government and affordability to Tennesseans, and that the legislature has sided with corporations and special interests over working people. He says he wants to deliver tangible benefits and make sure people's voices are heard, and to defend the rights of all Tennesseans and protect the state's natural beauty for future generations.[1][4]
Platform
Taxes & spending
End the state sales tax on groceries, clothing under $50, and footwear under $100; legalize and tax cannabis sales, using the revenue for infrastructure and education.[1]
Cost of living & housing
Raise the minimum wage, repeal the 2018 ban on local affordable-housing requirements, return housing decisions to cities and counties, and ban surge pricing and surveillance pricing.[1]
Education
Fully fund public schools, support teachers, and expand pre-K.[1]
Protect mountains, waterways, and wildlife, and invest in water conservation, reclamation, and upgraded sewage systems to stop contamination of waterways.[4]
Abortion
Restore the right to bodily autonomy; he opposes the state's abortion ban.[1][4]
Government & elections
Reform campaign finance laws to curb corporate and special-interest money; enact term limits for state senators, representatives, and judges; draw nonpartisan districts that keep communities together; adopt ranked-choice voting; and pass a privacy act ending mass surveillance of residents, such as by networked cameras.[1]
Arguments
Arguments for
After nearly three decades in service, management, and skilled-trade jobs, he knows firsthand the challenges working Tennesseans face.[1]
Arguments against
No published arguments found (checked October 13, 2026).
Sources (11)
Listed in numeric order. Numbers match the markers in the text above.