Russell Jackson "Rusty" Grills (born October 1, 1981) is an American politician from the state of Tennessee. A Republican, Grills has represented the 77th district of the Tennessee House of Representatives, covering Dyer, Lake, and Obion Counties along the Mississippi River, since 2020.[3][4]
Career
In July 2019, Republican Bill Sanderson resigned from the 77th district of the Tennessee House of Representatives, and fellow Republican Casey Hood was appointed to the seat. Grills, then a farmer and a Dyer County Commissioner, announced he would run against Hood in the November special primary election for the remainder of Sanderson's term. In a four-candidate race, Grills convincingly ousted Hood with 56% of the vote, and went on to easily win the December general election over Democrat Michael Smith and three independents.[5][6] Grills assumed office on January 14, 2020.
Grills served on conservative grassroots advisory council advocating for Tennessee Governor Bill Lee.
In 2023, Grills supported a resolution to expel three Democratic lawmakers from the legislature for violating decorum rules. The expulsion was widely characterized as unprecedented.[7]
Personal life
Grills lives in Newbern with his wife, Christina "Christi" Marie née Bennett Grills (a registered nurse), and their two children.[8] Grills was homeschooled.[9]
References
- ^ https://tennesseestar.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/rusty-grills-press-release-drop-sept-10-2019.pdf "Local Farmer Rusty Grills Announces Campaign for the State House" (press release September 10, 2019; TennesseeStar.com)
- ^ https://www.farmprogress.com/farm-life/faith-at-the-core-of-grills-family-stewardship "Faith at the core of Grills family stewardship Ninth generation Tennessee farm relies on conservation, family and faith"
- ^ "Representative Rusty Grills". Tennessee General Assembly. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
- ^ "Rusty Grills". Ballotpedia. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
- ^ "Conservative Rusty Grills Big Winner in State House District 77 Special Election Primary". The Tennessee Star. November 7, 2019. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
- ^ "Republican Rusty Grills Wins Special State House Election". The Chattanoogan. December 20, 2019. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
- ^ Andone, Dakin; Young, Ryan; Simonson, Amy; Almasy, Steve. "Tennessee's Republican-led House expels 2 Democratic lawmakers over gun reform protest, fails in bid to oust a third". CNN. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
- ^ "About Rusty Grills". Rusty Grills for State Representative. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
- ^ https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/legislatorinfo/member.aspx?district=H77 "Represenatative Rusty Grills", Tennessee General Assembly.