Rick Eldridge

Biography

Political Career:

Eldridge previously served as a Hamblen County commissioner for eight years, including two terms as chairman.
In 2018, he ran for election to the District 10 seat in the Tennessee House of Representatives, succeeding Tilman Goins.
Eldridge secured victory in the Republican primary against Tommy Pedigo and went on to defeat Democrat Barbara Simmons in the general election.
In 2020, he ran unopposed in both the Republican primary and general election, securing re-election with 17,133 votes.
Notably, in August 2021, Eldridge joined all state house Republicans in signing a letter calling for a special session to address schools requiring masks. Governor Bill Lee later issued an executive order allowing parents to opt students out of mask mandates.
In October 2021, Eldridge voted in favor of a bill allowing partisan elections for school boards, a departure from the traditional nonpartisan approach in Tennessee.
He also voiced opposition to the state’s new redistricting plan, which would split Hamblen County into District 10 (west) and District 11 (east).
In 2023, Eldridge supported a resolution to expel Democratic lawmakers from the legislature for violating decorum rules—an unprecedented move.

Current Committee Assignments (as of December 2021):

Electoral Record:

2018 Republican primary: Tennessee House of Representatives, District 10
- Rick Eldridge: 62.8% of the votes
- Tommy Pedigo: 37.2% of the votes
2018 general election: Tennessee House of Representatives, District 10
- Rick Eldridge: 75.4% of the votes
- Barbara Simmons: 24.6% of the votes
2020 Republican primary: Tennessee House of Representatives, District 10
- Rick Eldridge: Unopposed (100% of the votes)
2020 general election: Tennessee House of Representatives, District 10
- Rick Eldridge: Unopposed (100% of the votes)