Sometimes it can feel like there are no good options on the ballot in Tennessee, especially in the 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.”
Photo credit: https://english.utk.edu/be-relentless-an-interview-with-jerri-green/
Candidate: Anna Golladay
Running for: Congress, TN District 03
Website: https://annagolladay.com
In their own words: As a progressive faith leader, small business owner, and community leader, I’m running for Congress to bring moral courage back to leadership and to fight for the dignity of every person in our state.
Tennessee deserves better than being taken for granted. District 3 deserves more than indifference dressed up as leadership. We deserve more than a Congressperson who shows up for donors and party bosses, but disappears when working families are struggling to survive.
This campaign is about choosing care over cruelty — and having the courage to speak when others stay silent.
Candidate: Michaela Barnett
Running for: Congress, TN District 02
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: Kelly McCampbell
Running for: TN State House District 33
Website: https://www.kellymccampbell.com
In their own words: “I’m an engineer and working mom who is living and working in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. I’m on the side of working families and everyday people, and I’m focused on practical solutions that actually improve life in District 33, not political theater. I believe government should work for the people it serves, not wealthy donors or corporate lobbyists, and I’m running to help restore competence, dignity, and trust in public life.
Candidate: Ali Simpson
Running for: TN State House 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: David Miller
Running for: Tennessee State Senate District 5
Website: https://www.davidmillerfortennessee.com
In their own words: “I’ve spent my life helping people learn and thrive.
Now I’m running to fight for strong schools, tax-free groceries, and East Tennessee values that put people first.”
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!”