Hilary Trudell, an experienced nonprofit leader and advocate for community engagement, is running as the Democratic candidate for the Tennessee House of Representatives in District 8. Trudell is seeking to fill the open seat left by Republican Rep. Jerome Moon, bringing a platform focused on public education, housing affordability, and the protection of civil liberties.
Trudell, whose publicly documented background has longstanding connections to East Tennessee, now resides in the Maryville area with her family. Her career is rooted in a unique blend of public administration, the arts, communications, and community organizing, driven by a commitment to public service and equity.
With a Master of Public Service from the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service, Trudell’s professional journey began with AmeriCorps and Habitat for Humanity. She later served as Director of Local Programming and Regional Outreach at the Clinton School, guiding graduate students in community-based fieldwork and developing curricula on team building, community development, and advocacy through storytelling.
Her expertise in bringing people together is further evidenced by her nearly five-year tenure as Chief Executive Officer of Just Communities of Arkansas, a nonprofit focused on diversity, equity, inclusion, and leadership development. Trudell is also the founder and executive producer of The Yarn, a community storytelling project that aims to amplify voices, build understanding, and create opportunities for human connection. Through The Yarn, she has coached hundreds of individuals in sharing their personal stories.
As a candidate for District 8, which encompasses portions of Blount County, Trudell’s campaign emphasizes a commitment to the local community. She strongly opposes school vouchers, arguing they deplete resources from rural public schools, and advocates for thoughtful growth policies to preserve housing affordability for working families. Additionally, she is a staunch defender of constitutional rights and civil liberties.
Trudell’s entry into electoral politics follows her bid for the Blount County Commission District 4, Seat B. She won the Democratic nomination for Tennessee House District 8 in the August 2026 primary, capturing 64.% of the vote.
Voters in District 8 will have the opportunity to choose between Trudell and Republican candidate Jordan Henderson in the upcoming November 3, 2026, general election.