Jim Tracy (1956 – 2026)

Their Story

Jim Tracy was a dedicated public servant from Tennessee who spent over a decade representing his constituents in the state senate before transitioning to federal service. Born and raised in West Tennessee with deep roots in agriculture, Tracy championed rural development and economic opportunity throughout his career. As a Tennessee State Senator from 2005 to 2017, he served as Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee and Assistant Floor Leader of the Senate Republican Caucus, advocating for infrastructure, education, and agriculture issues affecting rural communities. In 2017, President Trump appointed him Tennessee State Director for USDA Rural Development, a role where he worked to direct loans and grants to strengthen rural infrastructure and create jobs. Before his political career, Tracy was a small business owner and insurance agent in Shelbyville for 24 years, and earlier served as an agricultural education teacher. A devoted family man, community leader, and NCAA basketball official, Tracy's mentorship and genuine care for others left a lasting impact on Tennessee's future.