Paul Sherrell

Paul Sherrell (born March 28, 1959) is an American politician. A Republican, he represents District 43 in the Tennessee House of Representatives.

Political career

In 2016, Sherrell ran for election to represent District 43 in the Tennessee House of Representatives. He won a three-way Republican primary with 45.16% of the vote, and went on to win the general election against Democratic incumbent Kevin Dunlap in the general election. He was re-elected in 2018 and ran again in 2020.

In November 2018, Tennessee House Republicans elected Sherrell to serve as Majority Floor Leader. As of June 2020, Sherrell sat on the following committees:

• Judiciary Committee
• Constitutional Protections & Sentencing Subcommittee
• Health Committee
• Mental Health & Substance Abuse Subcommittee
• Naming, Designating, & Private Acts Committee

During deliberation on a bill proposed by Dennis Powers to allow the use of firing squads as an execution method in March 2023, Sherrell suggested adding "an amendment on that that would include hanging by a tree also", which was denounced by Black lawmakers and other commentators as a racist reference to lynching. Sherrell apologized for the remarks two days later. Members of the Tennessee Black Caucus criticized his apology for being "insincere" and campaigned for Sexton to reprimand Sherrell, with suggestions of removal from his committees and resignation.

In 2023, Sherrell supported resolutions to expel three Democratic lawmakers, including Pearson, from the legislature for violating decorum rules.