Gabby Salinas is a Democratic candidate seeking election to the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 96. A Memphis native, Salinas was brought to the city at age seven for cancer treatment at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, an experience that deeply influenced her professional and civic trajectory. She attended St. Ann Bartlett, St. Agnes Academy, and Christian Brothers University before joining the St. Jude Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics in 2010. Salinas describes herself as a working scientist and healthcare advocate who credits the Memphis community for her personal success and resilience. Salinas frames her candidacy around giving back to the city that supported her family through significant hardships, including the death of her father and sister and the paralysis of her mother in a car accident. She argues that Memphis is a place where dreams can come true, citing historical figures like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Danny Thomas as inspiration for her own aspirations. As a candidate, she emphasizes her background in scientific research and her desire to help the community reach its full potential through public service. Salinas asserts that her experience has equipped her with the knowledge, skills, drive, and resilience necessary to improve both the local community and the state of Tennessee.

Dr. Telisa Franklin is a Democratic candidate for the Tennessee House District 96 seat, bringing a multifaceted professional background rooted in ministry, media, and entrepreneurship. She holds a doctorate in Divinity and a Ph.D. in Christian counseling, serving as a licensed minister and motivational speaker. Her career spans multiple sectors she describes as the "seven mountains of influence," including family, religion, education, media, entertainment, business, and government. Franklin has worked as an Emmy-nominated voiceover artist and holds leadership roles as president of Telisa Franklin Ministries, the Memphis Juneteenth Festival, and Trend Media Group. Her public service experience includes her role as a Memphis Police Department Clergy Ambassador, where she fosters relations between law enforcement and the community. Franklin emphasizes the importance of family values, drawing inspiration from her grandparents, and utilizes her faith as a foundation for her work. She aims to empower individuals and communities through her educational expertise and business leadership. As a candidate, she seeks to apply her experience across various influential platforms to address societal needs. Her campaign highlights her commitment to bridging gaps and creating harmonious environments through engagement with elected officials and esteemed organizations. Franklin’s platform reflects her dedication to positive change across the diverse areas of society where she has previously made an impact.