Paul Sherrell

Paul Sherrell (born March 28, 1959) is an American politician. A Republican, he represents District 43 in the Tennessee House of Representatives.

Paul Sherrell
Member of the Tennessee House of Representatives
from the 43rd district
Assumed office
November 8, 2016[1]
Preceded byKevin Dunlap
Personal details
Born (1959-03-28) March 28, 1959[2]
Political partyRepublican
SpouseMiranda[3]
Children2[3]
ResidenceSparta, Tennessee[3]

Political career

In 2016, Sherrell ran for election to represent District 43 in the Tennessee House of Representatives. He won a three-way Republican primary with 45.16% of the vote, and went on to win the general election against Democratic incumbent Kevin Dunlap in the general election. He was re-elected in 2018 and ran again in 2020.[1]

In November 2018, Tennessee House Republicans elected Sherrell to serve as Majority Floor Leader.[4] As of June 2020, Sherrell sat on the following committees:[2]

  • Judiciary Committee
  • Constitutional Protections & Sentencing Subcommittee
  • Health Committee
  • Mental Health & Substance Abuse Subcommittee
  • Naming, Designating, & Private Acts Committee

During deliberation on a bill proposed by Dennis Powers to allow the use of firing squads as an execution method in March 2023, Sherrell suggested adding "an amendment on that that would include hanging by a tree also", which was denounced by Black lawmakers and other commentators as a racist reference to lynching. Sherrell apologized for the remarks two days later.[5] Members of the Tennessee Black Caucus criticized his apology for being "insincere" and campaigned for Sexton to reprimand Sherrell, with suggestions of removal from his committees and resignation.[6][7]

In 2023, Sherrell supported resolutions to expel three Democratic lawmakers, including Pearson, from the legislature for violating decorum rules.[8]

Electoral record
2016 Republican primary: Tennessee House of Representatives, District 43[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Paul Sherrell 1,875 45.16%
Republican Bob Robinson 1,812 43.64%
Republican Sam Elder 465 11.20%
2016 general election: Tennessee House of Representatives, District 43[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Paul Sherrell 11,692 53.38%
Democratic Kevin Dunlap 10,213 46.62%
2018 Republican primary: Tennessee House of Representatives, District 43[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Paul Sherrell 6,041 64.6%
Republican Jerry Lowery 3,311 35.4%
2018 general election: Tennessee House of Representatives, District 43[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Paul Sherrell 13,009 71.6%
Democratic Les Trotman 5,159 28.4%

References
  1. "Paul Sherrell". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  2. "Representative Paul Sherrell". Tennessee General Assembly. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  3. "Paul Sherrell's Biography". Vote Smart. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  4. "State representative Paul Sherrell Elected to Serve as Republican Floor Leader for 111th General Assembly". Tennessee House Republican Caucus. 30 November 2018. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  5. Kruesi, Kimberlee. "Tennessee GOP lawmaker apologizes over 'hanging' comment". ABC News. Retrieved 2023-03-11.
  6. Stockard, Sam (8 March 2023). "Black Caucus wants more than Sherrell pulling street name bill". Tennessee Lookout. Retrieved 2023-03-11.
  7. "Tennessee Black Caucus calls on Rep. Sherrell to resign after "hanging by a tree" remark". News Channel 5 Nashville (WTVF). 2 March 2023. Retrieved 2023-03-11.
  8. 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 2023-04-07.


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