Paul Sherrell Explained

Paul Sherrell
State House:Tennessee
District:43rd
Term Start:November 8, 2016[1]
Predecessor:Kevin Dunlap
Party:Republican
Birth Date:28 March 1959[2]
Residence:Sparta, Tennessee[3]
Spouse:Miranda
Children:2

Paul Sherrell (born March 28, 1959) is an American politician. A Republican, he represents District 43 in the Tennessee House of Representatives.

Political career

In 2016, Sherrell ran for election to represent District 43 in the Tennessee House of Representatives. He won a three-way Republican primary with 45.16% of the vote, and went on to win the general election against Democratic incumbent Kevin Dunlap in the general election. He was re-elected in 2018 and ran again in 2020.

In November 2018, Tennessee House Republicans elected Sherrell to serve as Majority Floor Leader.[4] As of June 2020, Sherrell sat on the following committees:

During deliberation on a bill proposed by Dennis Powers to allow the use of firing squads as an execution method in March 2023, Sherrell suggested adding "an amendment on that that would include hanging by a tree also", which was denounced by Black lawmakers and other commentators as a racist reference to lynching. Sherrell apologized for the remarks two days later.[5] Members of the Tennessee Black Caucus criticized his apology for being "insincere" and campaigned for Sexton to reprimand Sherrell, with suggestions of removal from his committees and resignation.[6] [7]

In 2023, Sherrell supported resolutions to expel three Democratic lawmakers, including Pearson, from the legislature for violating decorum rules.[8]

Electoral record

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Paul Sherrell . Ballotpedia . 27 June 2020.
  2. Web site: Representative Paul Sherrell . Tennessee General Assembly . 27 June 2020.
  3. Web site: Paul Sherrell's Biography . Vote Smart . 27 June 2020.
  4. News: State representative Paul Sherrell Elected to Serve as Republican Floor Leader for 111th General Assembly . 27 June 2020 . Tennessee House Republican Caucus . 30 November 2018.
  5. Web site: Kimberlee. Kruesi. 2023-03-11. Tennessee GOP lawmaker apologizes over 'hanging' comment. ABC News.
  6. Web site: Sam. Stockard. Tennessee Lookout. 2023-03-11. Black Caucus wants more than Sherrell pulling street name bill. 8 March 2023.
  7. Web site: 2023-03-11. Tennessee Black Caucus calls on Rep. Sherrell to resign after "hanging by a tree" remark. 2 March 2023. News Channel 5 Nashville (WTVF).
  8. Web site: Tennessee’s Republican-led House expels 2 Democratic lawmakers over gun reform protest, fails in bid to oust a third. Andone. Dakin. Young. Ryan. Simonson. Amy. Almasy. Steve. CNN. en. 2023-04-07.