Rick Scarbrough Will Face Challenger in November Election
State Representative Rick Scarbrough seeks re-election in the Tennessee House race this coming November.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Elections
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State Representative Rick Scarbrough is running for re-election to the Tennessee House of Representatives. He will face opponent Anne Backus in the general election on November 3, 2026.
Why it matters
The race in the Tennessee House of Representatives holds implications for the direction of legislative priorities in the state. Voters will choose between the incumbent, who previously served in law enforcement, and challenger Anne Backus.
Rick Scarbrough earned a perfect score of 100 from Tennesseans for Student Success during his current term. Early voting for the upcoming election takes place from October 14 through October 29.
The players
Rick Scarbrough
He is the incumbent member of the Tennessee House of Representatives and a former law enforcement official.
Anne Backus
She is the challenger running against the incumbent in the 2026 general election for the Tennessee House seat.
John Ragan
He is a former Tennessee state representative who served for 14 years before his defeat in 2024.
The details
Rick Scarbrough retired as the executive director of the Law Enforcement Innovation Center after a career that included 23 years with the Clinton Police Department, 16 of which were as chief, and six years with the Anderson County Sheriff's Department. The Tennessee Journal previously named him Freshman of the Year following his 2024 election victory over incumbent John Ragan, who had held the seat for 14 years.
Timeline
Rick Scarbrough was elected to his first term in the Tennessee House in 2024.
Early voting is scheduled to occur from October 14 through October 29, 2026.
The general election will take place on November 3, 2026.
Political Context
The Tennessee Journal Freshman of the Year award serves as a benchmark for evaluating legislative turnover and early performance in the state house. This re-election campaign follows the precedent established by Scarbrough being recognized by the publication during his first term.
The outcome of this state house race will determine who represents constituents in Tennessee and shapes future local policy decisions. Residents should review the upcoming election schedule to ensure they participate in the early voting window or on Election Day.
The takeaway
Voters are evaluating the incumbent based on his law enforcement background and legislative scorecard during his initial term. The upcoming election provides an opportunity for the public to decide whether to retain current leadership or support the challenger.
Further reading
For more on state races, visit Tennessee Elections.
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