Republican Michele Reneau claimed victory Tuesday over Democrat and former school board member Kathy Lennon in the contest to represent an area that stretches from Lookout Valley to Flat Top Mountain in the Tennessee House of Representatives.
Reneau will enter the state house as a freshman lawmaker in the seat now held by Rep. Patsy Hazlewood, whom she narrowly beat in the Republican primary in August. Hazlewood represented the area for 10 years and served as the chair of the finance, ways and means committee.
“I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the voters and to my supporters who helped me to get to where I’m at tonight,” Reneau said in an interview Tuesday night. “I’m excited for the journey ahead. I’m excited, not just for me, but for all of us in Tennessee.”
Reneau, speaking at an election night party at Chattanooga’s downtown Westin hotel, said she hopes to add a new conservative voice in the state.