The 113th General Assembly (2023–24) in Tennessee has been marked by high-profile issues – from debates over gun laws in the wake of a school shooting, to battles over education curriculum and LGBTQ rights. The 2026 Senate races will determine who writes the laws on these issues going forward. If Republicans keep their dominant hold, we can expect continued pushes on conservative priorities such as stricter abortion laws (Tennessee currently has one of the nation’s strictest abortion bans), expanded school voucher programs, and tax cuts. If Democrats manage to pick up a couple of seats, they could at least fight for moderation on issues like Medicaid expansion or criminal justice reform. Voters in 2026 will essentially be deciding if Tennessee doubles down on the one-party rule of recent years or introduces a bit more balance in the Capitol.