Charlie Baum is a Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives, representing District 37 since November 6, 2018. Born on December 13, 1972, he is an economics professor at Middle Tennessee State University , where he has taught since 1999 and served as department chair from 2008 to 2014. His research on employment trends, wages, and labor force participation has been cited by Bloomberg BusinessWeek, U.S. News and World Report, and the New York Times. Notable achievements include serving as Vice Chairman of the House Finance, Ways, and Means Committee, where he contributed to increased funding for education, health care, and transportation, a $300 million tax cut in 2022, elimination of the Hall income tax, and growing the Rainy-Day Fund to $1.8 billion. He is also on the House Education Committee and chairs the Higher Education Subcommittee. In 2023, he was the only Republican to vote against expelling three Democratic lawmakers, citing a desire to work with them and reflecting constituent views. Baum won re-election in 2024 with 64.3% of the vote and previously served on the Rutherford County Commission from 2010 to 2018, chairing its Audit Committee. He serves on the Oaklands Mansion board and has held roles with organizations like the Community Foundation of Rutherford County and United Way.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: BA from Wake Forest University; PhD from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , where he met his wife, Kelly.
• Political Experience: Elected to Tennessee House District 37 in 2018 ; re-elected in 2020, 2022, and 2024; prior service on Rutherford County Commission , including Budget, Finance, and Investment Committee; current committee roles include Vice Chairman of Finance, Ways, and Means, House Education Committee, and Chairman of Higher Education Subcommittee.