CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Democrat Allie Phillips flipped the Republican-held state House District 75 seat Tuesday night, defeating incumbent Rep. Michael Lankford.
Phillips told Clarksville Now she was proud of her victory and proud of her team and partner organizations. “It was definitely hard,” she said. “I started as the underdog from the campaign in 2024. … We stayed committed, we kept pushing, and we didn’t stop until 7 p.m. tonight.”
As a working-class mom with a family, her “platform of putting working families first” was the biggest separation between her and her opponent, she said. “Being able to actually resonate with folks in the community and understand the struggles that they actually go through because we experience them as well is what makes the difference.”
Phillips won with 55% of the vote to Lankford’s 45%.
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She said she plans to push for cutting the grocery tax, stopping school vouchers and invest in infrastructure. “I’m going into a super-minority as a Democrat and I understand that,” she said. “But I’m willing to sit and work across the aisle with those that can help get these types of things passed, and that’s what I intend to do.”
Phillips also thanked voters. “Whether they voted for me or not, I’m a representative to everyone,” she said. “And so my door will always be open. My phone line will always be on. So, they can give me a call because I’m here to represent them.”
Lankford congratulated Phillips on her election. “I respect the decision of the voters of Montgomery County,” he told Clarksville Now. “Serving the people of District 75 has been one of the greatest honors of my life, and I’m grateful to everyone who stood with me. This is my home, and I’ll keep working to make it the best place it can be.”
Christian Brown and Jazmin Logan contributed to this report.
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About the candidates
Michael Lankford, previously a member of the Montgomery County Commission, was appointed to the District 75 seat in December 2025 following the passing of state Rep. Jeff Burkhart. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agricultural business and works in commercial banking.
Allie Phillips is a working mother of two, a union member, and a community advocate.
About Tennessee House District 75
District 75 covers roughly the west third of Montgomery County, including the western side of Clarksville:
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