Curtis Halford
Tennessee politician (1943–2025)
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Curtis Halford (March 27, 1943 – January 24, 2025) was an American politician who served in the Tennessee House of Representatives from 2009 to 2023, representing the 79th district as a member of the Republican Party. Prior to his tenure in the state house, he served on the county commission in Gibson County, Tennessee.
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Curtis Halford | |
|---|---|
Halford in 2018 | |
| Member of the Tennessee House of Representatives from the 79th district | |
| In office January 13, 2009 – January 10, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Chris Crider |
| Succeeded by | Brock Martin |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 27, 1943 |
| Died | January 24, 2025 (aged 81) |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse | Charlotte |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Draughons Practical Business College |
Background
Curtis Halford was born on March 27, 1943. He graduated from Kenton High School in 1961, and graduated from Draughons Practical Business College with a degree in accounting.[1][2] He served as a reserve member of the United States Air Force.[3]
Halford died on January 24, 2025, at the age of 81.[4]
Career
Local politics
Halford served on the county commission in Gibson County, Tennessee, for six years from position one in the 19th district.[3][5] Kenny Flowers was appointed by the commission to fill the vacancy created after Halford left the commission to serve in the Tennessee House of Representatives.[6]
Tennessee House of Representatives
Elections
On March 7, 2008, Halford announced that he would seek the Republican nomination for a seat in the Tennessee House of Representatives from the 79th district to succeed Representative Chris Crider who was retiring after being elected as mayor of Milan, Tennessee.[7] He defeated Mark Renfroe in the Republican primary and defeated Democratic nominee Jim Ryal in the general election.[8][9] During the campaign he had raised over $35,899 against Ryal's $18,970.[10]
Halford won reelection in the 2010 election against Joe M. Shepard, the former mayor of Gibson County.[11][12] Halford won reelection without opposition in 2012, 2016, and 2020.[13][14][15] He defeated Democratic nominee Bobby Barnett, a member of the Humboldt, Tennessee city council, in the 2014 election.[16][17] He defeated Democratic nominee Gregory Frye in the 2018 election.[18]
Tenure
Speaker Cameron Sexton appointed Halford to serve in the National Conference of State Legislatures.[3] During his tenure he served as secretary of the Agricultural committee, vice-chair of the Bill Review committee, and on the Health and Human Resources, and Ethics committees.[19]
Electoral history
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Republican | Curtis Halford | 1,832 | 65.13% | |
| Republican | Mark Renfroe | 981 | 34.87% | |
| Total votes | 2,813 | 100.00% | ||
| General election | ||||
| Republican | Curtis Halford | 11,306 | 51.66% | |
| Democratic | Jim Ryal | 10,580 | 48.34% | |
| Total votes | 21,886 | 100.00% | ||
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Republican | Curtis Halford (incumbent) | 6,536 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 6,536 | 100.00% | ||
| General election | ||||
| Republican | Curtis Halford (incumbent) | 11,207 | 67.83% | |
| Democratic | Joe M. Shepard | 5,315 | 32.17% | |
| Total votes | 16,522 | 100.00% | ||
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Republican | Curtis Halford (incumbent) | 3,280 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 3,280 | 100.00% | ||
| General election | ||||
| Republican | Curtis Halford (incumbent) | 17,593 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 17,593 | 100.00% | ||
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Republican | Curtis Halford (incumbent) | 6,161 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 6,161 | 100.00% | ||
| General election | ||||
| Republican | Curtis Halford (incumbent) | 10,877 | 77.36% | |
| Democratic | Bobby Barnett | 3,183 | 22.64% | |
| Total votes | 14,060 | 100.00% | ||
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Republican | Curtis Halford (incumbent) | 3,002 | 63.70% | |
| Republican | Daniel D. Williams | 1,711 | 36.30% | |
| Total votes | 4,713 | 100.00% | ||
| General election | ||||
| Republican | Curtis Halford (incumbent) | 17,131 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 17,131 | 100.00% | ||
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Republican | Curtis Halford (incumbent) | 8,793 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 8,793 | 100.00% | ||
| General election | ||||
| Republican | Curtis Halford (incumbent) | 14,875 | 75.78% | |
| Democratic | Gregory Frye | 4,755 | 24.22% | |
| Total votes | 19,630 | 100.00% | ||
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Republican | Curtis Halford (incumbent) | 5,484 | 83.60% | |
| Republican | Christine Warrington | 1,076 | 16.40% | |
| Total votes | 6,560 | 100.00% | ||
| General election | ||||
| Republican | Curtis Halford (incumbent) | 21,862 | 99.97% | |
| Independent | Houston Butler Jr. (write-in) | 7 | 0.03% | |
| Total votes | 21,869 | 100.00% | ||