The recent passing of State Representative Jeff Burkhart has left a vacancy in Tennessee's House District 75. The seat became vacant following Burkhart's death last Friday. Representative Burkhart began his term in 2023 and was serving the community until his passing this year, according to an official announcement from Montgomery County.
In compliance with T.C.A. § 5-1-104, the Montgomery County Commission is calling for nominations to appoint an interim representative to serve until a newly elected official can take office following the next general election. Given the urgency of the upcoming legislative session starting in January, the nomination process and the vote to fill the vacancy have been expedited to occur at the Formal Commission meeting on December 8, ensuring that the constituents of District 75 will not go without representation.
Prospective candidates for the vacant seat are required to meet specific qualifications such as being at least 21 years old, being a U.S. citizen, residing as a citizen of Tennessee for three years, and living in and being a qualified voter of the district for one year prior to taking office. Interested individuals are invited to submit their credentials, which includes a letter of interest, a current resume, and a copy of their voter registration card to Montgomery County Chief of Staff Lee Harrell at [email protected] by noon on November 26.
In a statement obtained by Montgomery County's official announcement, Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden spoke to Representative Burkhart's legacy, “Representative Burkhart was a dedicated public servant whose work left a lasting impact on our community. Jeff will be remembered for his leadership, commitment to the people he served, and dedication to improving the lives of Tennesseans. As we mourn his loss, we must also ensure that the residents of District 75 continue to have representation at the state level. The nomination process will allow us to ensure the constituents are represented while honoring his legacy of service."
All qualified candidates will have the opportunity to present their case to the County Commission at an Informal meeting scheduled for Monday, December 1,at six o'clock p.m. Each candidate shall be allotted 5 minutes to address the Commission in pursuit of the vacancy. This comes ahead of the December 8 decision, which is critical for ensuring that District 75's voice is not lost in the upcoming legislative session, where significant decisions affecting the state are made.
