Who's running in Tennessee's 6th 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.
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.
Supporting President Trump's America First agenda.
Deporting illegal immigrants and securing the southern border.
Strengthening the economy and fighting inflation.
Backing law enforcement.
Standing up to China.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Tennessee House of Representatives, 45th District, since 2019; House Republican whip.
Former lawyer at Spencer Fane LLP representing businesses.
Voted for Tennessee's Dismantle DEI in Employment Act and the Transparency for Deepfakes in Political Advertising Act.
Won the August 6, 2026 Republican primary with 43.6% over Van Hilleary, Jon Henry and Natisha Brooks.
Endorsed by House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Rep. Tim Burchett and activist Riley Gaines.
Raised $2.31 million through June 30, 2026, including $1.2 million in loans from himself.
Arguments in favor
A pro-Trump Christian conservative who will stand up for conservative family values, fix the economy and keep the country safe — 'doing what the swamp in Washington would never do'.
— Johnny Garrett campaign site
As House Republican whip he has a record of passing conservative legislation on immigration and gender-affirming care, and drew endorsements from House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Rep. Tim Burchett.
— Nashville Banner reporting on his record and endorsements
Arguments against
He has limited connection to much of the redrawn district — his own statehouse seat now lies mainly in the 7th District — and $1.2 million of the $2.3 million he reported raising came from loans to himself.
— WPLN and Nashville Banner reporting
His primary opponent's campaign claimed Garrett 'wants to transition Tennessee from conservative to woke', citing his former law firm's diversity policies; the Banner noted Garrett voted to dismantle DEI in state hiring.
— Van Hilleary campaign advertisement, reported by the Nashville Banner
What we couldn’t verify
No DCCC material naming Garrett could be found; the district is not on the committee's target list.
No criticism of Garrett by Mike Croley could be found.
Whether Garrett will debate Croley had not been reported.
Military veteran and efficiency engineer; former Tennessee State Parks ranger.
Worked at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration until he was laid off.
Won the August 6, 2026 Democratic primary with 28.9% over Chaney Mosley, Lore Bergman, Miriam Leibowitz and Christopher Martin Finley.
Reported raising more than $35,000.
Has not held elected office.
Arguments in favor
He won the nomination over a better-funded rival and the party's previous nominee, on a campaign built around affordability, health care and accountability after losing his own federal job.
— WPLN and Nashville Banner reporting on the primary
Arguments against
He had reported raising about $35,000 against a Republican nominee who reported more than $2.3 million, in a district Republicans have held since 2011 and forecasters rate safe Republican.
— Campaign finance figures reported by the Nashville Banner; forecaster ratings
What we couldn’t verify
No published criticism of Croley by name could be found — not from Garrett's campaign, the NRCC, or coverage in the Nashville Banner, WPLN or NewsChannel 5.
His detailed policy positions could not be read on his campaign site.
Whether he will debate Garrett 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.
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 is an open seat: Rep. John Rose ran for governor and lost that primary. The redrawn district covers middle Tennessee including a sliver of Nashville and its suburbs; redistricting cut most of Sumner, Macon, Trousdale, Cannon and Van Buren counties and added parts of Morgan, Wilson and Scott counties. Four candidates are on the November ballot: Republican state Rep. Johnny Garrett, who beat former Rep. Van Hilleary 43.6% to 29.7% in a primary marked by deepfake attack ads on both sides; Democrat Mike Croley, who won a five-way primary with 28.9%; and independents Christopher B. Monday and Angus Purdy. The roster is confirmed by the Nashville Banner after the primary, NewsChannel 5, Wikipedia and Ballotpedia. Candidate order here is Republican, Democrat, then independents alphabetically; that is an assumption, not the verified ballot order. The district has been held by Republicans since 2011, and forecasters rate it safe Republican.
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.