Lindsey Patrick-Wright, a Democrat, is running for Tennessee State Senate District 17 in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. Republican Mark Pody is also running for the seat, according to BallotReady election data.
Asked in our candidate questionnaire why she is seeking office, Patrick-Wright said: "After 20 years serving Tennessee communities as a public librarian, I've seen what happens when we invest in people—and what happens when we don't. I'm running because Tennessee families deserve a government that puts their needs ahead of corporate interests and political agendas."
Candidate information
Residence: Wilson County, where she said she is raising her child.
Family: "I am married with one 16-year-old child and 2 rescue mutts, Buddy and Doug," Patrick-Wright said in our questionnaire.
Education: "B.A. Rhodes College, 2000 M.L.I.S. University of Southern Mississippi, 2007," she said in our questionnaire.
Previous elected or appointed office: "None," Patrick-Wright said in our questionnaire.
Experience and public service
Patrick-Wright said in our questionnaire: "I have spent 20 years working in Tennessee public libraries, serving communities from Memphis to Kingsport. I currently serve as a Regional Manager with Nashville Public Library, overseeing library services in Southeast Nashville." According to BallotReady, she has held that role since 2011 and previously worked as coordinator for children's services and continuing education at the Tennessee State Library and Archives from 2008 to 2011.
Asked what accomplishments show she can handle the job, she said: "Throughout my career, I have managed teams, budgets, and public services across Tennessee … My campaign also demonstrated my ability to build a grassroots coalition, earning support from hundreds of donors and volunteers."
On the issues
Differences from other candidates: Patrick-Wright said in our questionnaire: "I will fight for affordable healthcare and childcare, strong public schools, responsible growth, and infrastructure that keeps pace with our communities. I oppose diverting public education dollars to private school vouchers, and I believe developers and corporations should pay their fair share rather than passing costs on to taxpayers."
Education: Patrick-Wright said on her campaign issues page and via BallotReady that she supports fully funding public schools, opposing vouchers, supporting teachers, stopping book bans and strengthening IEPs and 504 plans.
Healthcare: She said via BallotReady that she supports universal access, expanding mental health care and eliminating medical debt. She said "abortion is healthcare" and that "medical decisions belong between a patient and their doctor — not politicians."
Growth and development: Patrick-Wright said on her campaign issues page that she supports transparency in zoning, opposes "backdoor approvals of high-impact developments" and wants "no new data centers in our communities." She also supports farmland preservation.
Taxes: She said she supports corporate tangible property taxation. She said via BallotReady that "tax breaks for large corporations shift the burden onto working families."
Workers and wages: She said via BallotReady that she supports collective bargaining, worker protections and fair wages. She described herself as "proudly pro-union."
Guns: She said via BallotReady that she supports universal background checks and safe storage requirements.
Best advice: Patrick-Wright cited John Lewis in our questionnaire: "'If not us, then who? If not now, then when?' They remind me that change doesn't happen simply because we hope for it."
Endorsements
Patrick-Wright has received endorsements from elected officials, labor organizations and advocacy groups, according to her campaign homepage and BallotReady:
- Rep. Gloria Johnson, Tennessee House of Representatives
- State Senator Heidi Campbell, Tennessee State Senate
- Rep. Aftyn Behn, Tennessee House of Representatives
- Delishia Porterfield, Metro Nashville Council councilwoman-at-large
- Russ Bradford, Metro Nashville Council
- SEIU Tennessee State Council
- AFL-CIO
- Tennessee Advocates for Planned Parenthood
- Davidson County Young Democrats
- Indivisible Tennessee
- Change TN
- The Tennessee Report
Candidate responses were collected through a Surround Sound News questionnaire. Answers are presented in the candidate's own words and have not been edited for content.
