TN 2026 Ballot Guide

Races · Tennessee Senate

Tennessee Senate, District 17

2 candidates on the ballot · Last verified October 13, 2026 · Official candidate list

Candidates

Party is shown as printed on the official ballot. Candidates are listed in the order of the Secretary of State's certified candidate list.

Compare platforms

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.

IssueMark Pody
Republican		Lindsey Patrick-Wright
Democratic
Economy & jobsKeep taxes low, cut red tape, and foster an environment where small businesses can create good-paying jobs.[1]No stated position
Taxes & spendingPractice fiscal responsibility, balance the budget, and oppose any effort to implement a state income tax.[1]Eliminate the state sales tax on groceries and require large corporations to pay their fair share, including through taxation of corporate tangible property.[2] [3]
Cost of living & housingNo stated positionTreat child care as essential infrastructure with universal access and public investment to lower costs, and increase the supply of attainable housing.[2] [3]
EducationSupport teachers, respect parents' role, and keep curriculum focused on foundational academics rather than political agendas.[1]Fully fund public schools, oppose private school vouchers, support teachers, strengthen IEPs and 504 plans, oppose book bans, and expand voluntary universal pre-K.[2] [3]
Health carePursue free-market solutions to lower health care costs, increase transparency, and protect the doctor-patient relationship from government interference.[1]Pursue universal access to health care, lower prescription drug costs, eliminate medical debt, and expand mental health care.[3]
Public safety & justiceBack law enforcement, support strict penalties for violent offenders, and provide resources to keep streets secure.[1]No stated position
ImmigrationNo stated positionSupports abolishing ICE in its current form and replacing it with a humane, accountable system.[3]
Infrastructure & energyMake strategic investments in roads, bridges, and rural broadband so infrastructure keeps pace with growth.[1]Invest in roads, schools, water, and emergency services before approving new development, keep zoning decisions local and transparent, and protect farmland.[2] [3]
FirearmsNo stated positionRequire universal background checks and safe storage of firearms while respecting responsible gun ownership.[3]
AbortionNo stated positionTreat abortion as health care, with medical decisions left to patients and their doctors.[3]

Mark PodyRepublican · incumbent

Lebanon · Campaign website

Facts

  • State Senator for District 17 since winning a 2017 special election to fill the seat vacated by Mae Beavers; earlier elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives in 2010.[4] [5]
  • Served in the House in the 107th through 110th General Assemblies and in the Senate in the 110th through 114th General Assemblies.[6]
  • Owner of a financial planning and insurance business.[5] [6] [7]
  • First Vice-Chair of the Senate Transportation and Safety Committee; member of the Education Committee and the Energy, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee; chairman of the Tennessee Legislative Prayer Caucus.[6]

Why they're running

His campaign says he is running to fight for Tennessee values, protect constitutional rights, and ensure a prosperous economy for hardworking families across the district.[8]

Platform

Economy & jobs
Keep taxes low, cut red tape, and foster an environment where small businesses can create good-paying jobs.[1]
Taxes & spending
Practice fiscal responsibility, balance the budget, and oppose any effort to implement a state income tax.[1]
Education
Support teachers, respect parents' role, and keep curriculum focused on foundational academics rather than political agendas.[1]
Health care
Pursue free-market solutions to lower health care costs, increase transparency, and protect the doctor-patient relationship from government interference.[1]
Public safety & justice
Back law enforcement, support strict penalties for violent offenders, and provide resources to keep streets secure.[1]
Infrastructure & energy
Make strategic investments in roads, bridges, and rural broadband so infrastructure keeps pace with growth.[1]

Arguments

Arguments for

  • He owns a financial planning and insurance business with locations around the state, giving him broad knowledge of economic issues to bring to the Senate.[7] [8]

Arguments against

No published arguments found (checked October 13, 2026).

Lindsey Patrick-WrightDemocratic

Mt Juliet · Campaign website

Facts

  • Librarian with about 20 years of experience in public libraries in Tennessee, including at Nashville Public Library.[2] [3] [5]
  • Bachelor's degree from Rhodes College (2000) and a graduate degree from the University of Southern Mississippi (2007).[2]
  • Won the August 2026 Democratic primary for Senate District 17 over Joni Cochran.[2] [4]
  • Former member of SEIU during her years at Nashville Public Library.[3] [9]

Why they're running

She says she is running to bring a practical, community-focused voice to the Legislature and to give Tennessee families a real voice. She says government should work for working families, with priorities including affordability, public education, voluntary universal pre-K, and responsible growth.[2] [9]

Platform

Taxes & spending
Eliminate the state sales tax on groceries and require large corporations to pay their fair share, including through taxation of corporate tangible property.[2] [3]
Cost of living & housing
Treat child care as essential infrastructure with universal access and public investment to lower costs, and increase the supply of attainable housing.[2] [3]
Education
Fully fund public schools, oppose private school vouchers, support teachers, strengthen IEPs and 504 plans, oppose book bans, and expand voluntary universal pre-K.[2] [3]
Health care
Pursue universal access to health care, lower prescription drug costs, eliminate medical debt, and expand mental health care.[3]
Immigration
Supports abolishing ICE in its current form and replacing it with a humane, accountable system.[3]
Infrastructure & energy
Invest in roads, schools, water, and emergency services before approving new development, keep zoning decisions local and transparent, and protect farmland.[2] [3]
Firearms
Require universal background checks and safe storage of firearms while respecting responsible gun ownership.[3]
Abortion
Treat abortion as health care, with medical decisions left to patients and their doctors.[3]

Arguments

Arguments for

  • Long before running, she was already serving the community by leading library services, listening to residents and building connections across neighborhoods, and she understands the district's local needs.[9]
  • She has spent twenty years in public library service making sure every person, regardless of zip code or income, has access to the same resources and opportunities.[9]

Arguments against

No published arguments found (checked October 13, 2026).

Sources (9)

Listed in numeric order. Numbers match the markers in the text above.

  1. Issues - Mark Pody for State Senate (Pody campaign) — markpody.com, accessed October 13, 2026
  2. Lindsey Patrick-Wright (Ballotpedia, incl. Candidate Connection survey) — ballotpedia.org, accessed October 13, 2026
  3. Issues (Patrick-Wright campaign) — lindseyfortn.com, accessed October 13, 2026
  4. State Senate, 17th District voter guide (Tennessee Lookout) — tennesseelookout.com, accessed October 13, 2026
  5. Turnout, not political persuasion, may decide Pody-Patrick-Wright state Senate race in Tennessee (WSMV) — wsmv.com, accessed October 13, 2026
  6. About Mark Pody (Pody campaign) — markpody.com, accessed October 13, 2026
  7. Mark Pody (Ballotpedia) — ballotpedia.org, accessed October 13, 2026
  8. Mark Pody for Tennessee State Senate (Pody campaign) — markpody.com, accessed October 13, 2026
  9. Lindsey for TN (Patrick-Wright campaign) — lindseyfortn.com, accessed October 13, 2026