This district lies in the east central part of the state, based in Knoxville and is largely coextensive with that city's metropolitan area.

Republican Representative Zach Wamp announced that he would be running for governor in 2010, leaving the third district open.

This district lies in Middle Tennessee, including all of Bedford, Cannon, Clay, DeKalb, Jackson, Macon, Marshall, Overton, Putnam, Robertson, Rutherford, Smith, Sumner, and Trousdale Counties, as well as a portion of Wilson County.

[10] Democratic candidates included lawyer and Iraq veteran Brett Carter, aviation safety inspector George Erdel, ex-marine Ben Leming, Henry Barry, and Devora Butler.

She faced a challenge from Austin Peay University professor and Democrat Dr. Greg Rabidoux.

Herron had been endorsed by the state's two largest newspapers, the Memphis Commercial Appeal[15] and the Nashville Tennessean.

[16] Fincher had been endorsed by former Governor Winfield Dunn, Citizens United, Eagle Forum, Family Research Council, Concerned Women for America, and State Senator Dolores Gresham.

[24] This district lies in southwestern Tennessee, located entirely within Shelby County and including most of the city of Memphis.

The Republicans nominated Charlotte Bergmann, who owns a Memphis-based marketing firm, Effective PMP, LLC.