Who's running in Tennessee's 1st congressional district
7 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
7 candidates · ballot order · Diana Harshbarger currently holds this seat
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Securing the border by reinstating Trump-era policies, including completing the wall and ending 'catch and release'.
Defending Second Amendment rights.
Term limits for all federal offices.
A comprehensive response to the opioid crisis — border drug enforcement, rehabilitation funding and holding those responsible accountable.
More trade and technical education options in Northeast Tennessee.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
US Representative for Tennessee's 1st District since January 2021.
Licensed pharmacist and former pharmacy owner.
Her husband, Robert Harshbarger Jr., pleaded guilty in 2013 to health care fraud and distributing a misbranded kidney dialysis drug, served four years in prison, and was pardoned by President Trump in November 2025.
Won the August 6, 2026 Republican primary unopposed.
Endorsed by President Trump for re-election.
Had $1.8 million in campaign cash as of March 31, 2026.
Arguments in favor
It's time for 'a dose of the right medicine': as a pharmacist and staunch conservative she will keep fighting to secure the border, defend gun rights and tackle the opioid crisis that has devastated Northeast Tennessee.
— Diana Harshbarger campaign site
She has earned the president's 'Complete and Total Endorsement' for re-election as one of his strongest supporters in Congress.
— President Donald Trump, November 2025 endorsement reported by the Associated Press
Arguments against
Her loyalty to Trump appears to have been rewarded with an unannounced pardon for her husband, who had pleaded guilty to substituting an unapproved Chinese drug for kidney dialysis patients — part of what the writer calls a pattern of pardons for allies.
— MaddowBlog, MS NOW
She has not been accountable to constituents: Burke says she was removed from one of Harshbarger's town halls, an incident whose video drew more than 800,000 views and prompted her to run.
— Kristi Burke, Democratic opponent, reported by Overlooked in Appalachia
What we couldn’t verify
No DCCC material naming Harshbarger in 2026 could be found; the district is not on the committee's target list.
The congresswoman's office did not respond to the Associated Press about her husband's pardon.
Whether Harshbarger will debate Burke had not been reported.
Shifting the tax burden from working families to corporations and the wealthy, and funding schools and infrastructure with the revenue.
A universal single-payer health care system.
Abolishing ICE and ending local 287(g) immigration enforcement agreements.
Ending US military aid to Israel; refusing corporate and AIPAC contributions.
Giving the district 'a voice that sounds like the people who actually live' there.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Muralist and YouTube creator.
Won the August 6, 2026 Democratic primary with 76.6% over David Kerr and Herman Garcia.
Took out a loan to help fund her campaign.
Had $14,106 in campaign cash as of July 17, 2026, after raising about $102,000.
Has not held elected office.
Arguments in favor
The district has been talked over and ignored by a system that puts corporate interests over human dignity; she is a community member, not a career politician, and believes the district is not as red as people think if progressives are mobilised.
— Kristi Burke, campaign site and to Overlooked in Appalachia
Arguments against
She had about $14,000 on hand in July against an incumbent with $1.8 million, in a district with a partisan lean of R+29 that forecasters rate safe Republican.
— Federal Election Commission filings; Cook Political Report partisan index
What we couldn’t verify
No published criticism of Burke by name could be found — not from Harshbarger's campaign, the NRCC, or coverage in WJHL, the Johnson City Press or the Kingsport Times News.
Whether she will debate Harshbarger had not been reported.
Qualified as an independent candidate for this seat in the November 3, 2026 general election.
No prior elected office could be identified.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
No news coverage, campaign website, candidate questionnaire or campaign finance filing could be found, so this candidate's background and positions could not be established.
No published argument for or against this candidacy by any named party, group or outlet could be found.
Qualified as an independent candidate for this seat in the November 3, 2026 general election.
No prior elected office could be identified.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
No news coverage, campaign website, candidate questionnaire or campaign finance filing could be found, so this candidate's background and positions could not be established.
No published argument for or against this candidacy by any named party, group or outlet could be found.
Qualified as an independent candidate for this seat in the November 3, 2026 general election.
No prior elected office could be identified.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
No news coverage, campaign website, candidate questionnaire or campaign finance filing could be found, so this candidate's background and positions could not be established.
No published argument for or against this candidacy by any named party, group or outlet could be found.
Qualified as an independent candidate for this seat in the November 3, 2026 general election.
No prior elected office could be identified.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
No news coverage, campaign website, candidate questionnaire or campaign finance filing could be found, so this candidate's background and positions could not be established.
No published argument for or against this candidacy by any named party, group or outlet could be found.
Qualified as an independent candidate for this seat in the November 3, 2026 general election.
No prior elected office could be identified.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
No news coverage, campaign website, candidate questionnaire or campaign finance filing could be found, so this candidate's background and positions could not be established.
No published argument for or against this candidacy by any named party, group or outlet could be found.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
Tennessee held its primaries on August 6, 2026, under a new congressional map signed by Gov. Bill Lee on May 7, 2026. The map was drawn mainly to split Memphis; this Northeast Tennessee district is broadly unchanged. Seven candidates are on the November ballot: Republican incumbent Diana Harshbarger, who was unopposed in her primary; Democrat Kristi Burke, who won her primary with 76.6%; and five independents — Joshua Ray Ashburn, Richard G. Baker, Chris Campbell, Billy Cody and Tyler Brice Mitchell McClain. The roster comes from NewsChannel 5's guide to every qualified candidate, Wikipedia's race page and Ballotpedia's general election listing, which agree. Tennessee independents qualify by petition at the filing deadline, which closed May 15. The Secretary of State's site blocked automated access, so the official list could not be checked directly. Candidate order here is Republican, Democrat, then independents alphabetically; that is an assumption, not the verified ballot order. The district covers Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hancock, Hawkins, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi, Washington and Sevier counties. Its Cook Partisan Voter Index is R+29, and forecasters rate it safe Republican. Harshbarger had $1.8 million on hand as of March 31, 2026; Burke had $14,106 as of July 17.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A Tennessee ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.
Your ballot is determined by your election authority, not by us. Verify your registration, precinct, and sample ballot at Tennessee Secretary of State.