Governor of Tennessee
Misam Abidi
CandidateIndependent
- Race
- Governor of Tennessee
- Election
- 2026-11-03
- Opponents
- Marsha Blackburn (R); Jerri Green (D); David Hatley (Independent); Lauren Pinkston (Independent); Dean Brewer (Independent); Ray Brown (Independent); Wendell Jackson (Independent); Charles Van Morgan (Independent); Eddie Lee Murphy (Independent); Victor L. Scoggin (Independent); Dave Seeman (Independent); Karl Knox Smithson (Independent); L. Webb Taylor (Independent); Robert C. Vick (Independent)
- Research
- Minimal record
Party linenone
No recorded floor votes — not a current legislator in our records.
Said vs. did0 statements · 0 votes
Misam Abidi of Nolensville is an independent candidate for governor who qualified by petition. His campaign site describes past work as a personal banker, and his platform pillars include crypto innovation, a proposed Tennessee Dividend Fund and a Tennessee Skills Guarantee.[1]
On the ballotGovernor
2026-11-03
| Marsha Blackburn R | challenger |
| Jerri Green D | challenger |
| David Hatley Independent | challenger |
| Lauren Pinkston Independent | challenger |
| Misam Abidi Independent | challenger |
| Dean Brewer Independent | challenger |
| Ray Brown Independent | challenger |
| Wendell Jackson Independent | challenger |
| Charles Van Morgan Independent | challenger |
| Eddie Lee Murphy Independent | challenger |
| Victor L. Scoggin Independent | challenger |
| Dave Seeman Independent | challenger |
| Karl Knox Smithson Independent | challenger |
| L. Webb Taylor Independent | challenger |
| Robert C. Vick Independent | challenger |
Independent; qualified by petition.
Biography
Misam Abidi of Nolensville is an independent candidate for governor who qualified by petition. His campaign site describes past work as a personal banker, and his platform pillars include crypto innovation, a proposed Tennessee Dividend Fund and a Tennessee Skills Guarantee.[1]
Little public record found for this candidate.
In his Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey responses, Abidi says he moved to the United States from Lahore, Pakistan, as a teenager in 1997.[2] He says he has worked in retail, technology and banking and has started businesses in financial education and emerging technologies.[2]
Charge, not a verdict: on June 12, 2026 the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee announced that a federal grand jury had returned an 11-count indictment against Misam M. Abidi of Nolensville: three counts of wire fraud, two of operating an unlicensed money transmitting business, three of aiding and assisting in the preparation of false tax returns and three of money laundering. The indictment alleges that between 2020 and 2024 he executed a scheme to defraud investors through his cryptocurrency investment firm, Star Credit Holdings, and diverted over $1,900,000 of investor funds to himself and his family. WREG reported that Abidi, named in the indictment, announced he is running for governor as an independent, and WSMV's candidate guide lists the indictment under his independent candidacy. An indictment is an accusation; the guide found no report of a plea or a verdict.[3][4][5]
In their own words
Priorities
- A seven-point plan: blockchain and technology economy, a Tennessee Dividend Fund, healthcare affordability, a skills guarantee for students, due process, recovery reform and human-centered governance.[6]
Statements, quoted without a stance
- Expand public health coverage
“Establish a state reinsurance structure”[7]
Listed as a key goal under 'Healthcare Affordability Reform' on his campaign website
Campaign moneyNo FEC filing summary matched — state candidates file with their state, not the FEC.
Profile: /people/misam-abidi
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Sources cited in this profile
- 1.Misam Abidi · The Tennessee Firefly News report
- 2.Misam Abidi - Ballotpedia · Ballotpedia · 2026-10-19 Reference
- 3.Middle Tennessee man indicted for crypto Ponzi scheme · IRS Criminal Investigation · 2026-06-12 Official record
- 4.Man indicted in alleged cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme · WREG Memphis · 2026-06-12 News report
- 5.Election 2026: Here's everything you need to know about TN's candidates for governor and Congress · WSMV · 2026-09-28 News report
- 6.The Plan for Tennessee · Misam Abidi for Governor campaign website · 2026-10-19 Candidate's own words
- 7.Healthcare Affordability Reform · Misam Abidi for Governor campaign website · 2026-10-19 Candidate's own words