Jeff Burkhart

Jeff Burkhart
Member of the Tennessee House of Representatives
from the 75th district
In office
January 10, 2023 – November 14, 2025
Preceded byBruce Griffey
Succeeded byMichael Lankford
Personal details
Born(1962-03-16)March 16, 1962
DiedNovember 14, 2025(2025-11-14) (aged 63)
Clarksville, Tennessee, U.S.
PartyRepublican
Domestic partnerCindy Greene
Children1
EducationVolunteer State Community College (AA)

Jeffrey Darrell Burkhart (March 16, 1962 – November 14, 2025) was an American politician who served as a Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives, representing the 75th district from 2023 until his death in 2025.[1][2][3]

Life and career

Burkhart was born in Clarksville, Tennessee on March 16, 1962.[4] He graduated from Northwest High School in 1980 and later earned his associate degree from Volunteer State Community College in 2014.[5][6] Burkhart worked for the Clarksville Fire Department and started a construction company in the 1980s.[1] He was elected to the Clarksville City Council in 2008 and served three terms.[1]

In January 2019, after the resignation of three-term state senator Mark Green, Burkhart announced his candidacy in a special election for Tennessee's 22nd Senate district.[7] He was defeated by Bill Powers in the Republican primary.[8] Burkhart successfully campaigned in the 2022 election for Tennessee's 75th House district.[9]

Burkhart had one daughter.[1] He was engaged to Cindy Greene at the time of his death.[1][10]

Burkhart died at his home, in the early hours of November 14, 2025, at the age of 63.[1][11][12]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Smith, Chris (November 14, 2025). "State Rep. Jeff Burkhart, longtime government leader, dies at 63". Clarksville Now. Retrieved November 14, 2025.
  2. ^ "Representative Jeff Burkhart". Tennessee General Assembly. Retrieved September 28, 2024.
  3. ^ "Jeff Burkhart". Ballotpedia. Retrieved September 28, 2024.
  4. ^ "Jeff Burkhart Obituary November 14, 2025". McReynolds-Nave & Larson Funeral Home. Retrieved November 17, 2025.
  5. ^ "Jeff Burkhart running for re-election to Tennessee House, District 75". ClarksvilleNow.com. August 21, 2024. Retrieved November 15, 2025.
  6. ^ Jones, Vivian (November 14, 2025). "Clarksville Republican Rep. Jeff Burkhart has died". The Leaf-Chronicle. Gannett. Retrieved November 14, 2025.
  7. ^ Smith, Chris (January 28, 2019). "Jeff Burkhart announces bid for Republican nomination for state Senate". The Leaf-Chronicle. Gannett. Retrieved November 14, 2025.
  8. ^ "Special election has Powers carry Republican nomination". ClarksvilleNow.com. March 7, 2019. Retrieved November 14, 2025.
  9. ^ "Joe Pitts reelected Clarksville Mayor, Election Watch Parties". ClarksvilleOnline.com. November 9, 2022. Retrieved November 14, 2025.
  10. ^ "Tennessee State Representative, lifelong Clarksville resident Jeff Burkhart dies". WZTV. November 14, 2025. Retrieved November 14, 2025.
  11. ^ Garcia, Tony (November 14, 2025). "TN lawmaker found dead at Montgomery County home". WSMV-TV. Retrieved November 14, 2025.
  12. ^ Baker, Julia; Schelzig, Erik (November 14, 2025). "Tennessee Rep. Jeff Burkhart of Clarksville dies". www.prostateaffairs.com. Retrieved November 14, 2025.