Republican Mark Pody is seeking reelection to Tennessee State Senate District 17 in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. He faces Democratic challenger Lindsey Patrick-Wright.
Pody has represented District 17 since 2018, according to his Tennessee General Assembly page. He previously served as a state representative from 2011 to 2018, according to BallotReady.
Candidate information
- Party: Republican
- Office sought: Tennessee State Senate, District 17
- Residence: Wilson County (more than 37 years), according to his campaign website
- Education: Cumberland University, 2014, according to BallotReady
- Professional designations: CLU-CHFC and LUTCF-FICF, insurance and financial planning credentials, according to his General Assembly biography
- Family: Married to Barbara for 47 years; two daughters and twelve grandchildren, according to his campaign website
- Community memberships: Gideon, Wilson County Chamber of Commerce, Wilson County Lion's Club, DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce, Cannon County Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary, according to his campaign website. He is also a private pilot.
Experience and public service
Pody has held elected office in the Tennessee General Assembly since 2011. He served as a state representative from 2011 to 2018 before winning his Senate seat, according to BallotReady.
In the Senate, Pody serves on the Education Committee, the Energy, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, and as vice chair of the Senate Transportation and Safety Committee, according to Capitol Aeronautics Press.
He was selected as commander of the Tennessee Legislative Squadron with the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Civil Air Patrol Tennessee Wing. That volunteer role dates to 2011, when he first joined as a legislative member, according to the same source.
Outside government, Pody has owned Pody & Associates since 2010 and also owns Educators Resource Association, according to BallotReady and Capitol Aeronautics Press. He has been a small business owner affiliated with Nationwide since 2005, according to BallotReady.
On the issues
The following positions are drawn from Pody's campaign website and BallotReady questionnaire responses. All statements reflect the candidate's own claims.
Education: Pody said he advocates for school choice "ensuring that every child has access to a quality education regardless of their zip code." He said he supports teachers and wants to keep political agendas out of classrooms, focusing on reading, writing, math and civics. Parents, he has said, should be "the primary educators in both academic and behavioral areas."
Economy and taxes: On spending, Pody said he believes in "responsible government spending, prioritizing essential services while cutting waste, fraud, and abuse to keep taxes low for all residents." He said he supports reducing the tax burden on small businesses and encouraging entrepreneurship.
Infrastructure: On infrastructure, Pody supports investments in roads, bridges and highways to reduce congestion and improve safety. He also said he recognizes "the critical need for expanding high-speed rural broadband access."
Public safety: On public safety, Pody supports strict penalties for violent offenders and opposes efforts to defund police, according to his campaign website.
Healthcare: Pody said he advocates for free-market solutions that increase competition, lower costs and improve the quality of care. He also supports price transparency and protecting the doctor-patient relationship, according to his campaign website.
Endorsements
The following endorsements are claimed by the endorsing organizations, according to BallotReady:
- Americans for Prosperity
- TennesseeCAN Action Fund
- Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & Industry
- National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) in Tennessee
- Tennessee State Employees Association (TEAMPAC)
The election is Nov. 3, 2026.
Candidate responses were gathered from the candidate's campaign website and BallotReady questionnaire data. The Mt. Juliet Journal did not interview the candidate for this profile.
