Who's running in Tennessee's 8th congressional district
8 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.
8 candidates · ballot order · David Kustoff currently holds this seat
Low confidenceLow confidenceOnly one weak source, dated material, or indirect evidence. Treat specifics with caution.What would raise it: An official filing record and at least one independent report about this candidate would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Keeping West Tennessee safe, secure and prosperous.
A high federal estate tax exemption to protect family farms and small businesses.
Supporting the federal-state Memphis Safe Task Force against crime.
Supporting the Trump administration's 2026 military operation against Iran and a permanent solution for the Strait of Hormuz.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
US Representative for Tennessee's 8th District since January 2017.
Former US Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee.
Won the August 6, 2026 Republican primary unopposed.
Endorsed by President Trump and the Republican Jewish Coalition.
Had $2.83 million in campaign cash as of May 31, 2026.
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 published criticism of Kustoff by name for the 2026 race could be found. Searches covered the DCCC, Heidi Kuhn's campaign, his name against criticism and voting-record terms, and coverage in the Commercial Appeal, Jackson Sun, WREG and Action News 5. A WREG report on a protest at his Memphis office over US action in Venezuela could not be read.
Because no attributable criticism could be found, no arguments for him are listed either, to avoid a one-sided profile; his own case is summarised in his positions.
How he will campaign in the Memphis precincts newly added to his district had not been reported.
Whether Kustoff will debate Kuhn had not been reported.
Second chances for justice-involved people, including expungement access.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk since 2018; re-elected in 2022.
More than 26 years in government roles, by her campaign's account.
Lost the 2026 Democratic primary for Shelby County mayor to Mickell Lowery.
Won the August 6, 2026 Democratic primary for this seat with 52.0% over Dewey Gordon Bryan, Leonard Perkins and Jordan Hinders.
Endorsed by retiring Rep. Steve Cohen, former Tennessee House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh and the Memphis Building & Construction Trades Council.
Has not held federal or legislative office.
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 published criticism of Kuhn by name could be found — not from Kustoff's campaign, the NRCC, or Memphis and Jackson coverage.
No arguments for her beyond her own campaign biography are listed, to keep the contest balanced with the incumbent, for whom no attributable criticism could be found.
Her fundraising totals were not found.
Whether she will debate Kustoff 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.
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 that split Memphis among the 5th, 8th and 9th districts. The redrawn 8th District no longer includes Northeast Tennessee or some southwest counties but now holds the largest share of Shelby County, including East Memphis, along with rural West Tennessee. Eight candidates are on the November ballot: Republican incumbent David Kustoff, unopposed in his primary; Democrat Heidi Kuhn, the outgoing Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk, who won her primary with 52.0%; and six independents — Adam D. Austill, Wendell 'Wells' Blankenship, Antonio Futch, Pamela Jeanine 'P.' Moses, Horace Taylor and Henry J. Ward III. The roster is confirmed by NewsChannel 5's guide to every qualified candidate, Wikipedia and Ballotpedia. Candidate order here is Republican, Democrat, then independents alphabetically; that is an assumption, not the verified ballot order. Forecasters rate the redrawn seat safe or likely Republican. Kustoff had $2.83 million on hand as of May 31, 2026.
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.