2 candidates are tracked for Tennessee House District 40 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Daniel T. Hawthorne and Michael Hale. Candidate information follows official Smith County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
August 6 primary result: Daniel T. Hawthorne was unopposed for the Democratic nomination; Michael Hale was unopposed for the Republican nomination. They meet on the November 3 ballot, per the Tennessee Secretary of State's official primary results. Independent candidates certified for November, if any, are added at the Secretary of State's certification. This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
State legislator. State legislators write and vote on state laws and the state budget, which fund schools, roads, prisons, universities and health programs, and set the rules for local governments and elections. Each member represents one district and serves on committees that shape bills before a floor vote. Terms are two years in most state houses and four in most state senates.
This race. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot. The sitting officeholder, Michael Hale, is on the ballot.
Tennessee › Smith County › Tennessee House District 40
Democratic
Daniel Hawthorne is a public school teacher with 10 years of experience and a father of four daughters who has lived in Smith County for eight years, per WJLE Radio. He is the Democratic nominee for Tennessee House District 40, which covers Cannon, DeKalb, Jackson, Smith and part of Wilson County. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Republican Incumbent
Per the Tennessee House Republican Caucus.
Michael Hale is a funeral home owner and pastor who opened DeKalb Funeral Chapel in 1999, per the Tennessee House Republican Caucus. He also raises cattle on his family farm. He is the Republican incumbent for House District 40. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Who is running for Tennessee House District 40 in 2026?
2 candidates are tracked for Tennessee House District 40 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Daniel T. Hawthorne and Michael Hale. Candidate information follows official Smith County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
When is the Tennessee House District 40 election in Tennessee?
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Tennessee are on the Tennessee election hub at theballotbrief.com.
How do I see my exact Smith County ballot?
Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.
Candidate roster from official Smith County and state election office filings. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.
Cross-check with the official Tennessee election office, or see the full Smith County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.
2 tracked races in Smith County, Tennessee. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.