Jesse Chism is a Democrat representing Tennessee House District 85 since November 6, 2018. He succeeded Johnnie Turner, winning a four-way Democratic primary in 2018 with 35.7% of the vote and facing no general election opposition; he was re-elected in 2020 and sought re-election in 2024. Prior to politics, he worked as a high school teacher in Memphis City Schools, a Disaster Inspector for FEMA, and Program Director for the Tennessee Mental Health Consumers Association. He serves on committees including Education Instruction, Government Operations, State Government, and Joint Judiciary and Government, and previously held the role of Democratic Caucus Treasurer .

Education and Political Experience

• Education: Attended Overton High School; Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Morehouse College; Master of Arts in Education from Union University .
• Political Experience: Elected to Tennessee House District 85 in 2018; re-elected 2020; active in legislative committees focused on education, government operations, and judiciary as of April 2024.