John Gillespie (Tennessee)

John Gillespie is an American politician in the Tennessee House of Representatives representing the 97th House District, serving since November 2020. Gillespie was re-elected on November 8, 2022.[1] Gillespie is a member of the Republican Party.

John Gillespie
Member of the Tennessee House of Representatives
from the 97th district
Assumed office
January 12, 2021
Preceded byJim Coley
Personal details
Political partyRepublican
ResidenceMemphis, Tennessee
EducationHigh Point University
WebsiteOfficial website

Career

Gillespie's professional career began in the world of finance. After working for two local banks in Tennessee, he transitioned into a position where he writes and researches grants for Trezevant Manor, a senior living facility in Memphis where his father is a member of the Board.

In 2023, Gillespie supported a resolution to expel two of three Democratic lawmakers from the legislature for violating decorum rules. The expulsion was widely characterized as unprecedented.[2]

Tennessee House of Representatives

Running in a contested primary election on August 6, 2020, Gillespie received the Republican Nomination for Representative of the 97th House District when he defeated Brandon Weise 78.3% (3,626 votes) to 21.7% (1,007 votes). Gillespie then faced Gabby Salinas in the General Election on November 3, 2020 which Gillespie won 50.8% (14,712 votes) to 49.2% (14,246 votes).[3]

Legislation sponsored by Gillespie includes:

  • House Bill 22 – Increases the penalty for drag racing from a Class B to a Class A misdemeanor.
  • House Bill 549 – Allows families of deputy jailers who are killed in the line of duty to receive compensation.
  • House Bill 628 – Funds services for victims of abuse, neglect, financial or sexual exploitation of elderly or vulnerable persons as well as educational programs to prevent such abuse, neglect or exploitation.
  • House Bill 629 – Requires persons reporting known or suspected cases of abuse, neglect or exploitation of an adult to also notify the district attorney general in all such cases.
  • House Bill 630 – Modifies the reporting requirements for the vulnerable adult protective investigative team’s annual report to the chairs of the House and Senate Judiciary Committees
  • House Bill 718 – Enacts the “Safe Seniors Act of 2021,” taking dangerous individuals who abuse elderly and vulnerable populations off the streets.

Activity as member of the 112th General Assembly

As a member of the 112th General Assembly, Gillespie is serving on the following committees:

  • Member, Children and Family Affairs Subcommittee
  • Member, Civil Justice Committee
  • Member, Education Administration Committee
  • Member, Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
  • Member, Higher Education Subcommittee

Personal life

Gillespie, the son of Elizabeth and Trow Gillespie, is a native of Memphis, Tennessee. His father is on the Board of Trezevant Manor in Memphis where Gillespie was working at the time of his election to the Tennessee House of Representatives. A graduate of High Point University in North Carolina, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. He is a longtime parishioner of Saint John's Episcopal Church.[4]

References
  1. Staff, WMCActionNews5 com. "John Gillespie wins Tenn. House District 97". www.wmcactionnews5.com. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  2. Andone, Dakin; Young, Ryan; Simonson, Amy; Almasy, Steve. "Tennessee's Republican-led House expels 2 Democratic lawmakers over gun reform protest, fails in bid to oust a third". CNN. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
  3. "John Gillespie". Ballotpedia. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  4. "About - John Gillespie for Tennessee House District 97". John Gillespie. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
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