For this special election edition, The Contributor worked to create a mini guide of all the offices and candidates for whom you might be asked to check a box in this year’s election.
The Contributor provides here a brief bit of information on every candidate on the ballot as well as a link to their campaign website, if it is available. Early voting begins July 17 through Aug. 1 and Election Day is Aug. 6. Visit nashville.gov for more information on where to vote.
All candidates are listed as they are on the ballot in alphabetical order. Where full information could not be found on a candidate, staff reported what was available. Full information is not provided for uncontested races and state executive committee races, but campaign websites are noted where available.
Governor
Republican
Marsha Blackburn
www.marshablackburn.com
U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn has been in Tennessee politics since 1998, when she was elected to serve on the Tennessee State Senate. The focus of her campaign has been protecting what she describes as Tennessee’s values of “faith, family and freedom.” She emphasizes border security, parental rights in education, economic growth, strengthening law enforcement and limiting government regulation. Her recent campaign ads focus on lessening the Chinese influence on America. Blackburn highlights her experience representing Tennessee in the U.S. Senate and positions herself as someone who will keep Tennessee “America’s conservative leader.” She has also stressed and promoted her proximity to President Donald Trump and his policies, and she has faced recent pressure as she refuses to answer any questions from the media or debate her opponents on stage.
Monty Fritts
www.fritts4tn.com
Monty Fritts calls himself a constitutional conservative who believes the government should strictly follow the U.S. and Tennessee constitutions. He currently represents the 32nd district in the Tennessee House of Representatives. His campaign website focuses on “liberty and less government,” and he lays out 10 “planks” of his platform, which include protecting religious liberty, defending Second Amendment rights, reducing government spending and increasing state sovereignty. His campaign also focuses on limiting federal influence in Tennessee, promoting traditional family values, and supporting what he describes as biblical principles and “Godly values” in public policy.
John Rose
www.johnrose.com
John Rose, a current U.S. representative for Tennessee’s 6th congressional district, touts his lifelong residency in Tennessee as a strength, but also calls himself a “conservative outsider.” His campaign has focused on his roles as a farmer and business owner and his website outlines his priorities as protecting faith, family and freedom, and he has faced controversy over the years for marrying a woman decades his junior that he knew while she was a child and student. His platform also calls for “zero tolerance for illegal immigration” alongside responsible growth, infrastructure improvements and public safety in the state. In a campaign video on his website, he says Tennessee should be led by someone with executive and entrepreneurial experience rather than a career politician. Like Blackburn, he also highlights his support for President Donald Trump and promises to put “Tennessee First” in his ads.
Democratic
Carnita Atwater
www.atwater4governor.com
Carnita Atwater’s campaign website focuses on changing Tennessee’s political culture and restoring what she calls the rule of law. Running under the slogan “Make Tennessee Whole Again,” her website is full of family photos and community events, and she says she will be the “The People’s Governor.” Her campaign goal is to create a government that works for all Tennesseans and she emphasizes her grassroots involvement. She focuses on replacing leadership and failed policies that she believes can be fixed with new leadership that is focused on people.
Tim Cyr
www.timcyr.org
Tim Cyr’s campaign presents him as a U.S. Army veteran, National Guardsman, small farmer and stroke survivor who believes practical experience has prepared him to serve Tennessee. He describes himself as an “old-school Tennessee Democrat” guided by Christian faith and emphasizes helping working families, supporting rural communities, conservation, expanding opportunity, and reducing political division. Cyr also pledges to serve only one term as governor, arguing that leadership should focus on service rather than political careers.
Jerri Green
www.greenforgovernor.com
Jerri Green’s campaign website highlights her background as a Memphis city council member, attorney, mother and public servant. She says her priorities include making government work for everyday Tennesseans by improving healthcare access, increasing economic opportunity, reducing violent crime and strengthening support for working families. Green emphasizes expanding affordable healthcare, raising wages and ensuring state government serves residents rather than powerful interests. Her campaign presents her as a pragmatic Democrat.
Adam “Ditch” Kurtz
www.ditch4governor.com
Adam “Ditch” Kurtz is a Nashville musician and political science graduate who says he’s running to bring community-focused leadership to state government. His platform emphasizes affordable healthcare, accessible education, economic fairness and restoring trust in government. Kurtz rejects corporate campaign donations and says his campaign is entirely grassroots-funded. His website presents him as a candidate who wants the government to work for “ordinary Tennesseans” rather than political insiders or special interests.
Kevin Lee McCants
www.kevinleemccants.com
Kevin Lee McCants is both running for U.S. Senate while he aims for a seat as governor. His focus is on strengthening Tennessee’s economy, workforce and education system while preparing the state for future changes in employment and technology. He argues that leadership should deliver practical solutions that improve everyday life, expand opportunity and support workers across all 95 counties in the state. His campaign website emphasizes economic development, closing education and workforce gaps and creating stronger coordination between state and federal government to address long-term challenges facing Tennesseans.
U.S. Senate
Republican
Bill Hagerty
www.teamhagerty.com
U.S. Senator Bill Hagerty is the only Republican candidate on the ballot for the Aug. 6 primary. On his campaign website, he calls himself “Trump’s top ally in the Senate.”
Democratic
Marquita Bradshaw
www.marquitabradshaw.com
Marquita Bradshaw is a longtime environmental activist and community advocate from Memphis. She ran against Hagerty in 2020, and while she lost, she was the first Black woman in Tennessee to earn a major political party nomination. She also ran for Senate in 2024.
Maria Brewer
www.mariabrewerforsenate.com
Nashville-based Maria Brewer is a former Tennessee Democratic Party staffer whose campaign website says she is focused on building “a community that works for all of us, not just billionaires and special interests.”
Kevin Lee McCants
www.kevinleemccants.com
McCants is also running in the governor’s race. Refer to the blurb above for his policy positions.
Civil Miller-Watkins
www.civil4tn.com
Civil Miller-Watkins is a former Fayette County school board member who ran for a Tennessee seat in the U.S. Senate in 2024. Her campaign says she is focused on “kitchen table” issues like health care and education.
Diana Onyejiaka
www.dianaonyejiaka.substack.com
Diana Onyejiaka from Nashville had previously filed to run for the U.S. House District 5 seat occupied by U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles, but announced in January she’d run in this race instead. Onyejiaka has a work history in healthcare compliance, higher education, federal mediation and public policy.
U.S. House – District 4
Republican
Thomas E. Davis
www.tomdavistn4.com
Tom Davis is a U.S. Army Veteran calling for a focus on “faith, family, freedom, liberty and personal responsibility” in politics. His campaign website outlines overspending in Congress, from big line items down to restaurant catering bills.
Scott DesJarlais
www.scottdesjarlais.com
Incumbent Scott DesJarlais has a long history as a legislator in Tennessee. He calls himself a “strong advocate for small government.” In the past, he has faced controversy for being recorded asking a mistress to have an abortion after promoting staunch anti-abortion policies as a legislator.
Joshua James
www.joshuajames4tn.com
Joshua James is also a U.S. Army Veteran who has been a Rutherford County Commissioner for Rutherford County’s 9th District since 2021. He works as a package center supervisor at UPS and says he’s running to get the government closer to the people it serves.
Harold “Rocky” Jones
www.votejonesforcongress.com
Harold “Rocky” Jones is a U.S. Air Force Veteran who is based in Manchester, Tenn. His website says he is focused on fiscal responsibility and growth, and he says he will ensure AI data centers don’t end up in rural communities who do not want them.
Democratic
Victoria Broderick
www.victoria4tennessee.org
Victoria Broderick works in the logistics and technology industry, and says she entered politics after Roe v. Wade was overturned. Her website outlines a run based on equity, affordability, community safety and freedom.
Mike Cortese
www.mikefortennessee.com
Mike Cortese’s website focuses on lowering the cost of living, reducing the influence of big money in politics and helping working families. A Nashville-based veteran of the music industry, Cortest says his priority is restoring middle-class opportunities.
Cliff Huffman
No website listed
There is limited to no information available on this candidate. He is from Sewanee and is a current Marion County commissioner.
Tim Lanier
www.lanier4congress.com
Tim Lanier is a carpenter and small businessman who says on his website that he feels like a fish out of water in Nashville. His campaign is focused on accountability in government, building infrastructure, housing affordability and education and work training.
Joyce E. Neal
No website available
Antioch-based Joyce E. Neal Neal has a B.S. & M.S from Tennessee State University and a doctorate from Trevecca. While she does not have a website, she frequently posts on Facebook about door-to-door canvassing.
U.S. House – District 6
Republican
Natisha Brooks
www.natishaforcongress.com
Natisha Brooks is a community advocate and former Metro Nashville mayoral candidate. Her campaign has focused on restoring trust in government through “conservative leadership” and she highlights her experiences in business as a strength.
Johnny Garrett
www.johnnygarrettforcongress.com
Johnny Garrett’s run has focused on his alignment with President Trump’s America First agenda. He currently serves in the Tennessee House of Representatives.
Jon Henry
www.henryforcongress.com
Jon Henry is a U.S. Marine veteran who is campaigning on protecting Tennessee farmland and strengthening manufacturing. His website also focuses on securing the border and reducing federal government spending as well as anti-abortion and pro-police policies.
Van Hilleary
www.vanfortn.com
Van Hilleary’s positions focus largely on supporting President Trump’s agenda. He is a Desert Storm U.S. Air Force veteran, former four-term U.S. congressman and former chief of staff to Rep. John Rose.
Democratic
Lore Bergman
www.lorebergman.org
Lore Bergman is a longtime organizer and grassroots candidate who says the government should be more responsive to working families. Her campaign focuses on protecting democracy, defending reproductive freedom and expanding affordable healthcare. Bergman is also running as a write-in candidate for U.S. House District 7.
Mike Croley
www.croleyforcongress.com
Mike Croley says on his campaign website that his run is built around listening to constituents. He focuses on affordability, accountability and action and highlights his background as an engineer as a policy building strength and encourages people to reach out and ask issue-specific questions rather than issuing talking points.
Christopher Martin Finley
No website available
There is limited to no information available on this candidate.
Miriam Leibowitz
No website available
There is limited to no information available on this candidate.
Chaney Mosley
www.chaneymosley.com
Chaney Mosley is a U.S. Army Veteran and educator who outlines a need for bipartisan solutions at the national level. His website focuses on improving access to health care, and strengthening rural communities.
U.S. House – District 7
Republican
Matt Van Epps
www.mattfortn.com
Incumbent Congressman Matt Van Epps from Nashville has no Republican challenger. Epps won narrowly over Democratic Rep. Aftyn Behn in a special election in fall of 2025.
Democratic
Darden Copeland
www.dardenforcongress.com
Darden Copeland says his working class upbringing led him to wanting to restore accountability in Congress. His website outlines his work as a business owner and entrepreneur.
Vincent Dixie
www.dixie4tn.com
Vincent Dixie currently serves in the Tennessee House of Representatives and is a small business owner and community leader. He says he is focused on lowering housing costs and protecting voting rights.
Saletta Holloway
www.hollowayfortn.com
Former Metro Nashville Councilmember Saletta Holloway is a Nashville-based healthcare executive who is running on expanding affordable health care. Her website is focused on creating economic opportunities in all communities.
Joshua Warren Sales
www.sales4congress.com
Sales campaigns on a “working-class agenda” that includes universal healthcare as well as affordable housing and tax fairness. Sales is an Advanced Placement English teacher and U.S. Army veteran who says he’ll hold 50 town halls in the district.
Tennessee Senate – District 17
Republican
Theodore (Butch) Baker
www.butchbaker.com
Thomas Baker is a former U.S. Marine, music executive and Berry Hill police chaplain. His campaign focuses on protecting constitutional rights and Christian rights as well as improving infrastructure.
Mark Pody
www.markpody.com
Incumbent Sen. Mark Pody has served in the legislature in both the house and senate since 2010. He owns a small business in Murfreesboro. His website emphasizes his conservative leadership and his goal of protecting “family values” and Constitutional rights.
Democratic
Joni Cochran
www.jonicochranfortennessee.com
Local Democratic Party leader and NAACP executive committee member Joni Cochran is a local business owner with more than 27 years of experience. Her campaign is focused on protecting civil rights, education and financial accountability.
Lindsey Patrick-Wright
No website available
Lindsey Patrick-Wright doesn’t have a campaign website, but her social media accounts say she is a librarian running to “make Tennessee better for all of us.”
Tennessee House – District 52
Republican
Michele Vetter
www.mvetterforall.com
Longtime District 52 resident Vetter says on her website that she’d like to reduce partisan divides as a legislator. Her campaign says that she’d like folks to feel more involved at the local level and wants to bring the “community back to the Capitol.”
Democratic
Justin Jones
www.votejustinjones.com
Incumbent Justin Jones is nearly a household name in the nation after being kicked out of the legislature as an advocate, elected to office, expelled by his colleagues and then coming back again as a legislator. Jones is a long-standing, deeply rooted local advocate who says he’s working to promote justice in many different areas.
Tennessee House – District 55
Republican
Jayla Thomas
www.jaylat4tennessee.com
Jayla Thomas is a business leader, energy infrastructure professional and a Nashville Affordable Housing Trust Fund commissioner. Her campaign’s focus is on affordability and responsible growth as well as protecting workers from “unchecked AI-driven job displacement.”
Democratic
John Ray Clemmons
www.johnrayfortennessee.com
Incumbent Clemmons has for a long-time focused on bipartisan problem solving in the legislature. His website highlights the need for lowered costs for families, better resources for public education and investing in infrastructure.
Tennessee House – District 59
Republican
Bill Hancock
www.billhancockfortn.com
Bill Hancock is a sixth-generation Tennessean who has worked in healthcare and real estate as well as a community volunteer. His website focuses on capping tax increases and increasing public safety as well as protecting seniors from scams.
Democratic
Rick Ewing
www.voterickewing.com
Rick Ewing is the co-founder of a disability advocacy organization he founded after his child was diagnosed with a rare disease. Improving disability and aging services along with creating quality jobs are among the focuses he lists on his website.
Angie Lawless
www.angielawless.com
Angie Lawless serves on the Metro Continuum of Care Homelessness Planning Council and the Safe Haven Family Shelter board and has worked as an entrepreneur and attorney. Her campaign highlights improvements in healthcare access, affordable childcare, equitable taxation and infrastructure investment.
Mark Proctor
www.markproctortn.com
Mark Proctor was a Captain, Major and ended his service as a Lieutenant Colonel for the Tennessee Highway Patrol. His campaign is focused on keeping communities safe and affordable living as well as government accountability.
Beth West
www.westfortn.com
Beth West has worked in the nonprofit sector and names it as a reason she decided to run for office. Her website highlights the importance of showing up in the community, and she includes health care access as well as education as two main drivers of her campaign.
Tennessee House – District 60
Republican
Eva Angelina Romero
www.electevaromero.com
Eva Angelina Romero is a Gov. Bill Lee-appointed commissioner for Tennessee Housing Development Agency. Her platform has focused on freezing property taxes for seniors and capping future property tax increases as well as improving local roads. She is also a former history teacher.
Democratic
Shaundelle Brooks
www.brooksforstatehouse.com
Incumbent Shaundrelle Brooks is seeking re-election on a platform of public safety, violence prevention, mental health, affordable housing, healthcare and support for working families. On her website, she highlights passing Akilah’s Law, supporting accountable policing.
Uncontested Races
Tennessee Senate – District 19 (Uncontested)
Republican
No candidate qualified
Democratic
Charlane Oliver
Tennessee Senate – District 21 (Uncontested)
Republican
No candidate qualified
Democratic
Jeff Yarbro
Tennessee House – District 50 (Uncontested)
Republican
No candidate qualified
Democratic
Bo Mitchell
Tennessee House – District 51 (Uncontested)
Republican
No candidate qualified
Democratic
Aftyn Behn
Tennessee House – District 53 (Uncontested)
Republican
No candidate qualified
Democratic
Jason L. Powell
Tennessee House – District 54 (Uncontested)
Republican
No candidate qualified
Democratic
Vincent Dixie
Tennessee House – District 56 (Uncontested)
Republican
No candidate qualified
Democratic
Bob Freeman
Tennessee House – District 58 (Uncontested)
Republican
No candidate qualified
Democratic
Harold M. Love, Jr.
State Executive Committee Races
State Executive Committeeman – District 17
Republican
Brad Lytle
Derek Truelove
Democratic
Richie Mercado
State Executive Committeewoman – District 17
Republican
Terri R. Nicholson
Democratic
Melissa Alvarez
Brittany Orpurt-Hilton
State Executive Committeeman – District 19
Republican
Steve Brubaker
Democratic
Jonathan Saad
Josh Wesley
State Executive Committeewoman – District 19 (Uncontested)
Republican
No candidate qualified
Democratic
Marcia Masulla
State Executive Committeeman – District 20
Republican
Ronald McDow
Democratic
Tyler Brasher
State Executive Committeewoman – District 20
Republican
Lulu Elam
Annalisa Z. Young
Democratic
Lee Jones
State Executive Committeeman – District 21
Republican
No candidate qualified
Democratic
Dakota Galban
John Summers
State Executive Committeewoman – District 21 (Uncontested)
Republican
LaRawn Scaife
Democratic
No candidate qualified