My Representative

Michael Ray McDonald
District 44 - Part of Sumner County

Biography

Representative Mike McDonald (D-Portland) represents House District 44 which is part of Sumner County.  McDonald is serving his eighth term as a member of the House of Representatives.  He was first elected in 1994 and re-elected in 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2008.

Representative McDonald serves as chairman of the Employee Affairs Subcommittee for the 106th General Assembly. He previously served as chairman for the Consumer and Employees Affairs Committee during the 105th General Assembly, the Vice-Chairman of the House Conservation and Environment Committee for the 103rd General Assembly and the 104th General Assembly. He served as Chairman of the House Environment subcommittee and has served on the Finance Committee, the House Education Committee, and the Transportation Committee. He was elected Majority Whip for the 100th, 101st and 102nd General Assemblies.         

 Mike was awarded the 2007 Promethean Energy Award for Outstanding Public Service from the Trust for the Future. He received the Legislative Hero for 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 from the Tennessee Conservation Voters. In 2005, Sumner County land owners presented Mike an award for fighting “to preserve land, serenity and environment”. In 2004, he received the Friend of Tennessee’s Environment award from the Tennessee Conservation Voters. In 2002, he received the Appreciation Award from the Sierra Club of Tennessee, an award from the City of White House for Outstanding Public Service, and the Legislative Excellence Award from the Tennessee Recreation & Parks Association. The County Officials Association of Tennessee gave Mike the Outstanding Representative Award for 2001. In 1997, McDonald received the “Tennessee School Boards Association Legislative Award” for his work to improve public education.  Also in 1997, Mike was presented a legislative award from the Tennessee Sheriff’s Association for his sponsorship and passage of the sheriff’s qualification bill and the inmate work bill

He is a member of the Gallatin, Portland, Westmoreland, and White House Chambers of Commerce.  He is an associate member of the Sumner County Farm Bureau, a member of the Bledsoe’s Lick Historical Association, the Sumner County Historical Society, the Sumner County Museum Association, and a member of the Sumner County Democratic Party.

 McDonald earned the Bachelor of Arts degree from David Lipscomb College and Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from the University of Illinois. McDonald retired in 2002 from teaching communications at Volunteer State Community College.  In 1991, McDonald received Vol State’s “Outstanding Faculty Award” for teaching excellence, professional development, college service and community service.

Mike is married to Mila Ezell McDonald.  They have 2 children – Amy (married to Josh Young) and Lance (married to Paige), and four grandchildren.  The McDonalds live and work on the family farm in the heart of the 44th district.  The McDonalds worship with the Portland Church of Christ.