State Representative Jay Reedy (R-Erin) recently filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) formally declaring his candidacy for Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District.
Last week, Jay Reedy filed an FEC Form 1 to officially register his “Jay Reedy for Congress” campaign for the congressional seat.
Jay Reedy’s wife, Vickie Reedy, is listed as his campaign’s treasurer.
Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District is currently represented by incumbent U.S. Representative Mark Green (R-TN-07), who announced last month that he will retire from Congress and take a position in the private sector after the U.S. House of Representatives passes the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.”
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has yet to call a special election to fill Green’s U.S. House seat.
Jay Reedy has represented District 74 in the Tennessee House of Representatives since his election to the seat in 2014 when he defeated incumbent Democrat John Tidwell, who had held the seat since 1997.
The Republican has run unopposed in every primary and general election since 2020, maintaining the seat.
In addition to serving in the Tennessee House, Jay Reedy has served as a Houston County Election Board Commissioner and currently serves as the Correspondence Secretary for the Houston County Republican Party.
Jay Reedy is also a veteran, having served as an enlisted soldier in the U.S. Army and a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army Reserve.
The state representative is the fourth candidate to have taken steps seeking to represent Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District.
Last month, former Tennessee Department of General Services Commissioner Matt Van Epps and Montgomery County Commissioner Jason Knight emerged as the first official candidates to launch a bid for Green’s seat since he announced his departure from Congress.
Springfield resident Jon Thorpe announced his bid for Green’s seat before the congressman announced he would be taking a role in the private sector.
State Representative Jody Barrett (R-Dickson) continues to explore a potential bid for Green’s seat, reconfirming his possible interest in a social media video on Tuesday.
In the video, Barrett stressed the importance for Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District to continue being represented by a “battle-tested, principled, and proven” conservative leader, further warning that there is a plot by “establishment” Republicans to install a pre-selected “rubber stamp” candidate in Green’s seat.
“Here’s the truth: The left isn’t the only threat. While Dr. Green was weighing retirement, the establishment was already meeting in back rooms, handpicking a candidate, and quietly raising money to serve their interests – not yours,” Barrett said.
Barrett touted his accomplishments in the Tennessee General Assembly before saying, “I won’t sit back while this seat goes from one of the most conservative fighters in Congress to just another rubber stamp for the establishment.”
“Right now, my family and I are praying about what comes next. Whether I’m called to this race or serve in another way, I want to be certain I have the Lord’s blessing and the people’s backing,” he added.
– – –
Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
