Garrett clinches Rose’s open House seat in Tennessee

Republican Johnny Garrett is projected to clinch the Tennessee House seat left open by outgoing Rep. John Rose (R-Tenn.), defeating Democrat Mike Croley, Independent Christopher Monday and Independent Angus Purdy, according to The Hill’s partner Decision Desk HQ (DDHQ).

Garrett, a self-described “Trump Conservative,” previously served as the state House’s majority whip since 2019 before running for Tennessee’s 6th Congressional District seat.

While in the state legislature, Garrett sponsored bills that would have narrowed who can run in primaries for federal office in Tennessee — excluding those not born in the U.S. or have dual citizenship. This was quashed before it could be debated.

In an interview with WKRN News 2 , Garrett said the legislation was necessary because “look at what Congresswoman Omar Ilmar has done in Minnesota.”

“We cannot let and ever let Tennessee and Nashville become Minneapolis or Minnesota,” he added.

Another proposed bill that Garrett sponsored would require Tennessee law enforcement to enter deals with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Law enforcement that failed to comply were threatened with losing state funding from grants and contracts.

Garrett campaigned for fighting against inflation , deporting people who entered the country illegally and keeping men out of women’s sports.

Rose announced he would not be running for reelection and instead unveiled a bid for Tennessee’s open gubernatorial seat.