Sometimes it can feel like there are no good options on the ballot in Tennessee, especially in the more rural areas.
Our goal is to gather and share information about local and statewide candidates who share our values of defending our democracy and building a better future for ALL Americans.
This page is a collection of information, not an endorsement of any particular candidate. If you know of a candidate running for office you think should be mentioned here, contact us and let us know.
Candidate: Jerri Green
Running for: Governor of Tennessee
Website: https://greenforgovernor.com/
In their own words: “She’s a mom, a lawyer, a public servant, and a proud Democrat who gets things done–and she’s running to be your next Governor of Tennessee. She’s fought her entire career for working people and families helping guarantee wages families can actually live on, creating programs to reduce violent crime and gun theft, and increasing healthcare access through pioneering an at-home HIV test program and funding for Black midwives.
She knows from firsthand experience how hard it is for working families to get by. That’s why she’ll fight to make government serve everyone, not just the powerful and ultra wealthy. She’s fighting for change you can feel at your kitchen table.”
Candidate: Michaela Barnett
Running for: TN Congressional District 2
Website: https://www.michaelafortennessee.com
In their own words: “Michaela Barnett is a scientist, small business owner, and spent the last year working in Congress — so she knows firsthand what isn’t working, why, and what to do about it.
While Republicans gave the wealthy a massive tax break on the back of the working class, gutted the federal workforce, and made ICE the biggest police force in the United States, many Democrats in D.C. responded with tactics from an old playbook that don’t meet the urgency of the moment we are in. They aren’t fighting back — they’re waiting it out.
That’s not how we change our country for the better. We can’t just wait and hope that we swing a few seats in the midterms by being exactly the same party that keeps losing the working class.
Michaela knows that we can’t just be a voice in opposition — we have to show the American people our vision for the future, our plan for how we’re going to achieve it, and fight for it with all our might.”
Candidate: Ali Simpson
Running for: TN Statehouse District 32
Website: https://www.simpson4tn32.com
In their own words: “Ali Simpson is a candidate for Tennessee State House District 32, which represents Roane County and part of Lenoir City. She operates a small organic farm with her family in Ten Mile. As a board member at the Southeast Tennessee Young Farmers, she advocates for sustainable agriculture policy and resources for young and beginning farmers. She began her career in public service through Americorps and helped establish a home weatherization program with Habitat for Humanity. Before farming full-time, she worked with the Small Business Administration to establish programs that provide free education and resources to aspiring entrepreneurs.
Ali’s goals in office are simple: First, to fight for policies that improve the health, freedom and empowerment of the people. Second, to reverse the ongoing and shameless transfer of public wealth to corporations and special interests, and return that wealth to the hands of the people. She hopes to fight for Medicaid expansion, affordable childcare, a living wage, healthy soil and water, farmland preservation, thriving rural communities and more to bring about progressive change in Tennessee.”
Candidate: Derek Guy
Running for: Anderson County Commission District 6
Website: https://www.facebook.com/derek.guy.for.anderson.county.district.6
Candidate: Ebony Capshaw
Running for: Anderson County Commission District 6
Website: https://www.facebook.com/CapshawforCommissioner/
In their own words: “Every person, every voice, every vote matters!”
Candidate: Chaz Molder
Running for: TN Congressional District 5
Website: https://chazmolder.com/
In their own words: “When Chaz first ran for Mayor in 2018, he unseated the two term incumbent, and became the youngest Mayor in Tennessee at the time and the youngest Mayor in Columbia’s history. He then secured re-election in 2022, against the local chair of the Maury County Republican Party. Both elections were won by wide margins in a county which Donald Trump carried by over 45 points.
As Mayor, Chaz has made bipartisan progress by focusing on the local issues that matter to the people of Columbia – passing seven straight balanced budgets, saving the local aquatic center, investing in education, and improving the city’s infrastructure.
Now, Chaz is running for Congress, giving us a chance to move past the divisive partisanship and scandals of our current congressman, Andy Ogles.
Chaz’s campaign is powered by a broad coalition of Tennesseans – Democrats, Republicans, and Independents – who know we deserve better in Washington.”