There will be no free passes back into office as challengers are eyeing unseating of incumbent state leaders this election cycle.

Those who will face opposition include State Senator Mark Pody and State Representatives Terri Lynn Weaver and Clark Boyd. The contested elections became apparent when qualifying deadline for the races fell earlier this month.

Senator Pody, who is a Republican, will face a rematch with Democrat Mary Alice Carfi in the November General Election. The winner will represent District 17 for four years in the State Senate. Pody and Carfi, both of Wilson County, are unopposed in their respective party primaries on August 2.

Pody squeaked by Carfi in a special election last December to fill the remaining year of former State Senator Mae Beavers’ unexpired term.
 Meanwhile State Representative Weaver, a Republican who represents the 40th District, is facing a primary challenge on August 2 from Chad Z. Williams. Both hail from Smith County. Jason Holleman, a Democrat also from Smith County, has filed a petition to run for the office in the Tennessee Democrat Primary in August. If he gets the nomination, Holleman would face either Weaver or Williams in the Tennessee General Election in November. They are vying for two-year terms since it is a representative spot.

Republican State Representative Clark Boyd in 46th District is facing opposition in the primary from Menda McCall Holmes. Both hail from Wilson County. Boyd was appointed by the Wilson County Commission to fill the remaining year of former State Representative Mark Pody’s unexpired term after Pody was elected to the State Senate. Two hopefuls are seeking the Democrat nomination for the 46th District State Representative seat, including Mark Cagle of Wilson County and Faye Northcutt-Knox of Cannon County.