Who's running in Tennessee's 2nd congressional district
4 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.
4 candidates · ballot order · Tim Burchett 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.
A flat tax and abolishing the IRS.
Cutting the military budget and requiring the Department of War to pass an audit.
Deporting anyone in the country illegally, alongside a Reagan-style work visa programme and more trade training for Americans.
More domestic oil refineries, small nuclear reactors and coal gasification to lower energy costs.
Restricting federal funding for Flock license-plate cameras.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
US Representative for Tennessee's 2nd District since January 2019.
Former Knox County mayor.
Introduced legislation to restrict federal funding for Flock automated license-plate cameras.
Won the 2024 general election with more than 69%, his largest margin.
Won the August 6, 2026 Republican primary unopposed.
Did not take part in the Knoxville News Sentinel's voter guide interviews, though he answered its written questionnaire.
Had $933,753 in campaign cash as of March 31, 2026.
Arguments in favor
He would cut spending where others won't — including the military budget, which he says should be audited — and push a flat tax, while keeping his office 'an open door to all my constituents'.
— Tim Burchett, Knoxville News Sentinel candidate questionnaire
He has taken on surveillance technology that worries Tennesseans across parties, introducing federal legislation to restrict funding for Flock cameras.
— WVLT reporting on Burchett's legislation
Arguments against
He has 'done nothing to end the war in Iran', which has driven up Tennesseans' costs, and voted last year to add more than $4 trillion to the national debt despite calling himself a deficit hawk — 'we need a leader who is ready to tackle this crisis, not just tweet about it'.
He did not take part in the Knoxville News Sentinel's voter guide interviews, and his only accessibility commitment was that his office 'will remain an open door' — while Barnett pledges regular in-person town halls instead of representatives who 'hide behind a tele-town hall where folks have to pass the screening questions'.
Repealing President Trump's tariffs, especially on building materials.
Reversing SNAP cuts, capping essential drug prices and restoring ACA premium tax credits.
Closing the stepped-up basis capital gains loophole, with protections for family farms and small businesses.
Ending costly foreign wars without clear objectives, including the war in Iran.
Expanded legal work visas alongside a secure border.
Regular in-person town halls and mobile office hours across the district.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Engineer and small business owner in Knoxville.
Spent a year as a congressional policy fellow.
Won the August 6, 2026 Democratic primary unopposed.
Had $30,968 in campaign cash as of March 31, 2026, after raising $190,931.
Has not held elected office.
Arguments in favor
Having worked inside Congress, she saw leaders who wouldn't work together, representatives loyal to special interests and career politicians afraid to call out their own party — and as an engineer and business owner she knows how to make payroll and solve problems.
— Michaela Barnett campaign site
'We've had people run against Tim Burchett before, but this time feels different. Michaela is the real deal and will bring the kinds of creative solutions we need.'
— John Anderson, Knoxville supporter, quoted in a Barnett campaign release
Arguments against
She is running in a district Burchett carried with more than 69% in 2024, and had about $31,000 on hand against his $934,000 in the spring.
— 2024 election results; Federal Election Commission filings
What we couldn’t verify
No published criticism of Barnett by name could be found — not from Burchett's campaign, the NRCC, or coverage in the Knoxville News Sentinel, WBIR, WVLT or WUOT.
Her fundraising after March 31, 2026 was not found.
Whether she will debate Burchett 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
His background and positions could not be established: his campaign site returned no readable content and no news coverage or questionnaire could be found.
No published argument for or against his candidacy by any named party, group or outlet could be found.
Abolishing super PACs and overturning Citizens United; 'corporations are not people'.
Secure borders combined with better paths to citizenship.
Addressing the rising cost of home ownership in the district.
Defending the Constitution and uniting Americans across party lines.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Former river guide.
Charged July 31, 2026 with four felony counts of vandalism; investigators allege he used a shotgun to shoot four Flock cameras in Blount County between July 14 and July 22. He and his attorney declined to comment; his next court date was September 9.
Qualified as an independent candidate for this seat in the November 3, 2026 general election.
Has not held elected office.
Arguments in favor
He does not want a political career or personal enrichment and would represent people rather than 'corporate donors or foreign governments'.
— Adam Heimerman campaign site
Arguments against
He is facing four felony charges for allegedly destroying Blount County license-plate cameras with a shotgun while a candidate for Congress.
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 May 7, 2026; this Knoxville-based district remains centred on Knox County. Four candidates are on the November ballot: Republican incumbent Tim Burchett and Democrat Michaela Barnett, both unopposed in their primaries, plus independents Bruce Fine and Adam Heimerman. The roster is confirmed by NewsChannel 5's guide to every qualified candidate, Wikipedia and Ballotpedia. Tennessee's Secretary of State site blocked automated access. Candidate order here is Republican, Democrat, then independents alphabetically; that is an assumption, not the verified ballot order. Heimerman was charged on July 31, 2026 with four felony counts of vandalism for allegedly shooting Flock license-plate cameras in Blount County; his case was reset to September 9. The district includes Blount, Knox, Loudon and Union counties and parts of Campbell, Claiborne, Grainger and Jefferson counties. Burchett won with more than 69% in 2024, and forecasters rate the seat safe Republican. As of March 31, 2026 Burchett had $933,753 on hand and Barnett $30,968.
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.