Gary Humble, Executive Director of Tennessee Stands, has officially announced his candidacy for State Senate District 27, setting up a rematch with Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson in what promises to be ground zero for the fight between the establishment and grassroots conservatives.
“Career politicians make promises every election cycle, then forget the people they are supposed to serve,” Humble said. “For 20 years, Jack Johnson has had every chance to fight for us, and when it mattered most, he failed. I’ve spent the last five years holding politicians accountable, and now I’m asking voters to send me to Nashville to do the job that politicians refuse to do.”
Humble’s announcement comes after nearly defeating the 20-year incumbent in 2022, losing by just 786 votes out of more than 24,000 cast – the closest margin Johnson has faced in his long political career. Humble received 54% of the vote on Election Day, forcing Johnson to rely on early votes and PAC money to cling to power.
For more than five years, Humble has built Tennessee Stands into one of the state’s most effective conservative advocacy organizations, successfully mobilizing grassroots citizens to defend their rights and hold government accountable. Under Humble’s leadership, Tennessee Stands has become a formidable force in state politics, successfully exposing government overreach and mobilizing conservative activists to influence legislative outcomes.
Humble’s campaign comes at a critical juncture for Tennessee. Despite Republican supermajorities in Nashville, many core conservative priorities have stalled while special interest influence is growing stronger.
“We’ve watched as out-of-state PAC money floods our elections, drowning out the voices of everyday Tennesseans,” Humble said. “With Republican supermajorities, there is no excuse for our values and conservative priorities to stall. But Jack Johnson and the establishment cave to pressure from lobbyists while ignoring the people. That stops now.”
Humble’s platform directly addresses the frustrations of grassroots conservatives:
Accountability First: Enact term limits and transparency measures to break the stranglehold of career politicians and special interests.
Life and Equal Protection:Defend the fundamental principle that all human life, from fertilization to natural death, deserves equal protection under the law.
Constitutional Principles: Maintain an unwavering commitment to constitutional rights, including the Second Amendment, as the foundation of American liberty.
Election Integrity: Implement the strongest election security measures in the nation, including hand-marked paper ballots, address early voting issues, and require party registration.
Make America Healthy Again: Champion the MAHA agenda in Tennessee by removing harmful chemicals from our food supply, end Tennessee’s reliance on federal health agencies compromised by Big Pharma, and put Tennessee families’ health before corporate profits.
Responsible Growth: Preserve Williamson County’s character while ensuring infrastructure keeps pace with a rapidly growing economy.
The 2022 race demonstrated that grassroots energy can overcome institutional advantages. Despite being vastly outspent, Humble came within striking distance of victory through grassroots passion and discipline.
“Last time, we proved that the people’s voice is stronger than special interest money,” Humble noted. “This time, we’re going to finish what we started.”
Gary Humble has spent years working to advance conservative principles by empowering citizens across Tennessee. As a podcaster, businessman, and political organizer, he has worked to give voice to grassroots conservatives throughout the state. He and his wife are raising and homeschooling their three boys in Williamson County.
On October 17th, Gary Humble for Senate will kick off in Franklin, hosted by Dave Ramsey, best-selling author and CEO of Ramsey Solutions. Leigh-Allyn Baker and others will co-host what promises to be an exciting evening of food, fun, and networking.
The Republican primary election is scheduled for August 6, 2026.
