John Ray Clemmons is a Democratic member of the Tennessee House of Representatives, representing District 55 in West Nashville. First elected in 2014 after defeating incumbent Gary Odom in the Democratic primary, he has been re-elected in 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2024, currently serving his sixth term. Notable achievements include election as Chairman of the Tennessee House Democratic Caucus in November 2022; he ran for Nashville mayor in 2019, finishing fourth while focusing on public education, affordable housing, and infrastructure; and he publicly criticized a 2022 school board decision to remove a Holocaust novel, emphasizing its educational value. Clemmons is a Rule 31 Listed General Civil Mediator and co-founded the civil litigation firm Clemmons & Clemons, PLLC in 2013; he resides in Nashville with his wife Tamara and their children John, Finn, and Henry.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: Columbia University ; University of Memphis .
• Political Experience:
  • State Representative, Tennessee House District 55 .
  • Chairman, Tennessee House Democratic Caucus .
  • Democratic nominee, Tennessee House District 55 .
  • Member, Metropolitan Board of Fair Commissioners .
  • Chairman, Nashville RBI .
  • President, Belmont-Hillsboro Neighbors, Inc.
• Committee Service: Member, House Committee on Commerce.