The Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance has now released updated campaign contribution limits for the years 2025-2026 based upon Tenn. Code Ann. 2-10-301 et seq. and CPI data released by the Bureau of Labor and Statistics. These limits have also been updated to reflect the changes made by Public Chapter 415 (2025)[1]. These updated limits can be found at the following link.
¹Political Party PACs include those committees controlled by a political party on the national, state or local level and caucuses of a political party established by members of either house of the General Assembly. T.C.A. § 2-10-306
²Other State Offices includes Criminal Court Judges, Circuit Court Judges, Chancellors, Probate Court Judges, District Attorney Generals and Public Defenders. T.C.A. § 2-10-102(13)
For purposes of dollar limitations, a primary election, general election, run-off election or special election are each considered a separate election with separate contribution limits. For example, a candidate for state house in the August primary election could accept $1,800 from John Doe, and if a runoff election is required, the candidate could accept another $1,800 from John Doe for the runoff election. Further, if the candidate is successful in the runoff election and also runs in the general election, he/she could accept another $1,800 from John Doe for the general election.
An individual may give a maximum of $50 in currency (cash) to any candidate or PAC. Contributions exceeding $50 per election must be made by check, money order or other written instrument.
Ethics:
1 Political Party PACs include those committees established, financed, maintained or controlled by a political party on the national, state, or local level and caucuses of a political party established by members of either house of the General Assembly. T.C.A. § 2-10-302. As of May 9, 2025, these PACs are not subject to contribution limits; however, a PAC that is associated with a political party or a caucus but not directly established, financed, maintained or controlled by a political party or caucus remains subject to the individual PAC contribution limits at T.C. A. § 2-10-302(b). For a list of PACs controlled by a political party or caucus, please contact the Registry of Election Finance.
2 Other State Offices includes Criminal Court Judges, Circuit Court Judges, Chancellors, Probate Court Judges, District Attorney Generals and Public Defenders. T.C.A. § 2-10-102(13).