Republican Johnny Garrett is projected to capture Tennessee's 6th Congressional District, a seat left open by retiring Rep. John Rose, according to Decision Desk HQ. Garrett defeated Democrat Mike Croley and independents Christopher Monday and Angus Purdy in Tuesday's election.
Garrett, who describes himself as a "Trump Conservative," has served as majority whip in the Tennessee state House since 2019. His victory continues the GOP's stronghold in the district, which Rose has represented since 2019.
Legislative record and campaign focus
During his time in the state legislature, Garrett sponsored a bill that would have restricted who could run in federal primaries in Tennessee, specifically barring those not born in the U.S. or with dual citizenship. The measure was shelved before debate, but Garrett defended it in an interview with WKRN News 2, citing Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) as a cautionary example.
"Look at what Congresswoman Omar Ilhan has done in Minnesota," Garrett said. "We cannot let and ever let Tennessee and Nashville become Minneapolis or Minnesota."
Garrett also pushed legislation requiring Tennessee law enforcement to enter agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, with noncompliant agencies risking loss of state grants and contracts.
His campaign centered on combating inflation, deporting undocumented immigrants, and barring transgender athletes from women's sports.
Rose announced earlier this year he would not seek reelection and instead launched a bid for Tennessee's open gubernatorial seat. The 6th District, which includes parts of Middle Tennessee, has been reliably Republican, and Garrett's win aligns with recent GOP successes in the region, including Taylor's flip of Tennessee's 9th and Hagerty's Senate reelection.
Garrett's victory adds to a string of Republican holds in open seats, such as Tedford's win in Oklahoma's 1st and Gray's win in Wyoming's at-large seat.
