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NASHVILLE — State Rep. Jeremy Faison, a Republican, announced via video from the State Capitol on Thursday morning that he will not be seeking reelection.

He was first elected to the state house seat for the 11th district in 2010 when he defeated incumbent Eddie Yokley, a Democrat.

Faison has been given an “A” grade by the NRA Political Victory Fund, the NRA’s political lobbying arm which supports 2nd Amendment rights.

He and his wife, Miriam, live in Cosby. They have five children.

Faison is past president of the Cocke County Republican Party. He and his wife own Rocky Top Pest Control, a pest and wildlife control business.

In his video, Faison said serving as state representative has “truly been one of the greatest honors.”

Districting changes have changed the area he represented throughout the years. Initially, District 11 covered all of Cocke and part of Jefferson and Greene counties.

After redistricting in 2022, the district covers all of Cocke County and portions of Hamblen and Jefferson counties.

He said when he was first elected to the state legislature a friend told him there were three ways out of the legislature and that was getting beat, dying or walking out with your head held high. He told me I wouldn’t want it to be one of the first two options.

“Apart from the faith in my Savior and the blessings of my wife and family, there is no greater honor in my life than serving you at the State Capitol. I am deeply grateful to the citizens of Cocke, Greene, Jefferson, and Hamblen counties for the privilege of representing you over the last 16 years and giving voice to your values in the Capitol of the greatest state in the nation,” he said.

“My time has come to say goodbye,” Faison concluded.

The primary for the state representative’s race will be held Aug. 6, 2026, with the general election set for Nov. 3. The candidate qualifying deadline for state representative hopefuls is at noon on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026.