U.S. House · Tennessee's 1st District

Northeast Tennessee, including Kingsport, Bristol, and Johnson City

General election · Tuesday, November 3, 2026

✓ Fact-checked 2026-09-25: 22 claims re-checked against their sources

A second, independent research pass re-opened every cited source for this race and corrected or removed anything the source didn’t support.

On the ballot · 7 candidates

Where they stand — side by side

Only positions documented in a cited source are shown. Where an officeholder’s recorded votes speak to an issue, the votes set the position (marked “votes”). A dash means we found no clear public position — not that the candidate has none.

ISSUEDiana Harshbarger
R
Kristi Burke
D
Joshua Ray Ashburn
IND
Chris Campbell
IND
Richard Baker
IND
Billy Cody
IND
Tyler McClain
IND
Protect legal access to abortionOpposes[18][19]votes——————
Stricter gun lawsOpposes[16][17]votes——————
Expand immigration enforcement and deportationsSupports[6][7][8][9][10][11]votes——————
Raise taxes on high earners or corporationsOpposes[7][8][9][14]votes——————
Expand public health coverageOpposes[7][8][9][12]votesSupports[3]—————
Faster transition away from fossil fuelsOpposes[7][8][9][13][14]votes——————
Broad tariffs on imported goodsSupports[15]votes——Opposes[5]———
Universal, publicly funded child careOpposes[13]votes——————

The candidates, in full

Diana Harshbarger

RINCUMBENTU.S. Representative (since 2021)

Advanced unopposed from the August 6, 2026 Republican primary

Diana Harshbarger is the incumbent U.S. Representative for Tennessee's 1st District, a licensed pharmacist and former pharmacy business owner from Kingsport.[2]

Basic profile — the most important sourced facts we found.

Key votes in Congress

  • NoWar Powers Resolution directing removal of forces from Iran hostilities · H. Con. Res. 86 · Passed 215–208 · 2026-06-03 roll call ↗The resolution directs the President to remove U.S. armed forces from hostilities with Iran that Congress has not authorized, invoking the War Powers Resolution. It passed the House with support from Democrats and a number of Republicans.
  • NoResolution disapproving tariffs on Canada · H.J. Res. 72 · Passed 219–211 · 2026-02-11 roll call ↗The resolution terminates the national emergency the President declared in February 2025 to justify a 25 percent tariff on imports from Canada, ending that tariff if it becomes law. It passed with a bipartisan majority, including several Republicans who broke with the administration on trade policy.
  • YesConsolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 — full-year government funding · H.R. 7148 · Passed 217–214 · 2026-02-03 roll call ↗The bill provides full-year discretionary appropriations for federal agencies for the remainder of fiscal year 2026, replacing the stopgap funding enacted after the fall 2025 shutdown. It sets spending levels across defense and non-defense programs through September 2026.
  • NoBreaking the Gridlock Act — ACA subsidy extension · H.R. 1834 · Passed 230–196 · 2026-01-08 roll call ↗The bill extends for additional years the enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits that were expanded in 2021 and had lapsed at the end of 2025, lowering health-insurance premiums for people who buy coverage on ACA marketplaces. It passed with support from nearly all Democrats and a small group of Republicans.
  • NoWar Powers Resolution on Venezuela · H. Con. Res. 64 · Failed 211–213 · 2025-12-17 roll call ↗The resolution would have directed the President to remove U.S. armed forces from hostilities in or against Venezuela that Congress had not authorized. It failed after U.S. military strikes on suspected drug-trafficking vessels off Venezuela had raised questions in Congress about the administration's legal authority for military action in the region.
  • YesNational Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 — final passage · S. 1071 · Passed 312–112 · 2025-12-10 roll call ↗The fiscal year 2026 NDAA authorizes roughly $900 billion in defense spending, including a pay raise for service members and funding for shipbuilding, munitions, and missile-defense programs. It also sets policy on military personnel, procurement, and other Defense Department programs for the year.
  • YesEpstein Files Transparency Act · H.R. 4405 · Passed 427–1 · 2025-11-18 roll call ↗The bill directs the Department of Justice to publicly release its investigative files related to Jeffrey Epstein within 30 days, while allowing redactions to protect victim identities, ongoing investigations, and law enforcement techniques. It passed with near-unanimous support.
  • YesContinuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 — shutdown-ending vote · H.R. 5371 · Passed 222–209 · 2025-11-12 roll call ↗The bill reopened the federal government after a 43-day shutdown by funding most agencies through January 30, 2026, and providing full-year funding for a smaller group of agencies through September 2026. It also reversed shutdown-related federal layoffs and funded SNAP benefits retroactively.
  • YesCLARITY Act — digital asset market structure · H.R. 3633 · Passed 294–134 · 2025-07-17 roll call ↗The CLARITY Act creates a regulatory framework dividing oversight of digital assets between the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. It sets registration and disclosure requirements for cryptocurrency exchanges and other digital-asset intermediaries.
  • YesGENIUS Act — stablecoin regulation · S. 1582 · Passed 308–122 · 2025-07-17 roll call ↗The GENIUS Act creates a federal regulatory framework for payment stablecoins, requiring issuers to hold reserves backing their tokens on a one-to-one basis and to comply with new disclosure and licensing rules. It was the first major piece of cryptocurrency legislation enacted into federal law.
  • YesOne Big Beautiful Bill Act — final passage · H.R. 1 · Passed 218–214 · 2025-07-03 roll call ↗H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, extends and expands the 2017 tax cuts, adds new deductions for tips, overtime pay, and seniors, and raises the cap on state and local tax deductions. It increases border security and defense spending while cutting projected Medicaid and SNAP spending and adding new work requirements; President Trump signed it into law on July 4, 2025.
  • YesRescissions Act of 2025 · H.R. 4 · Passed 214–212 · 2025-06-12 roll call ↗The Rescissions Act canceled about $9 billion in previously approved federal spending, mostly for foreign aid programs and for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. It was the first rescissions package Congress had approved in decades.
  • YesOne Big Beautiful Bill Act — House passage · H.R. 1 · Passed 215–214 · 2025-05-22 roll call ↗H.R. 1 extends and modifies the 2017 individual and business tax cuts, creates new deductions for tips and overtime pay, and increases spending on border security and defense. It also reduces projected spending on Medicaid and food-assistance programs and adds new work requirements for some recipients.
  • YesSAVE Act — proof-of-citizenship voter registration · H.R. 22 · Passed 220–208 · 2025-04-10 roll call ↗The SAVE Act would require individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship in person when registering to vote in federal elections. It also directs states to establish procedures to remove noncitizens identified on voter rolls.
  • YesFull-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 · H.R. 1968 · Passed 217–213 · 2025-03-11 roll call ↗The bill funded the federal government through the remainder of fiscal year 2025, largely at prior-year spending levels, averting a shutdown ahead of a March 14 deadline. It also extended several expiring health and other program authorizations.
  • YesLaken Riley Act — final passage · S. 5 · Passed 263–156 · 2025-01-22 roll call ↗The Laken Riley Act requires the Department of Homeland Security to detain undocumented immigrants who are arrested, charged, or convicted for theft, burglary, or certain violent crimes. It also allows state attorneys general to sue the federal government over certain immigration enforcement decisions.
  • YesSecure the Border Act of 2023 — House passage · H.R. 2 · Passed 219–213 · 2023-05-11 roll call ↗Would have resumed border-wall construction, restricted asylum eligibility, expanded detention, and mandated E-Verify for employers.
  • NoInflation Reduction Act — final House passage · H.R. 5376 · Passed 220–207 · 2022-08-12 roll call ↗Enacted clean-energy and climate tax credits, a 15% minimum tax on large corporations' book income, a 1% excise tax on stock buybacks, and Medicare drug-price negotiation.
  • NoAssault Weapons Ban of 2022 — House passage · H.R. 1808 · Passed 217–213 · 2022-07-29 roll call ↗Would have banned the sale, manufacture and import of many semiautomatic assault weapons and large-capacity magazines.
  • NoWomen's Health Protection Act of 2022 — House passage · H.R. 8296 · Passed 219–210 · 2022-07-15 roll call ↗Passed after Dobbs; would have created a federal statutory right to abortion services and limited state restrictions.
  • NoBipartisan Safer Communities Act — final House passage · S. 2938 · Passed 234–193 · 2022-06-24 roll call ↗Expanded background checks for buyers under 21, funded state red-flag and crisis-intervention programs, and narrowed the "boyfriend loophole."
  • NoBuild Back Better Act — House passage · H.R. 5376 · Passed 220–213 · 2021-11-19 roll call ↗Would have funded clean-energy tax credits, universal pre-kindergarten and child-care subsidies, and extended health-coverage subsidies; it did not pass the Senate.
  • NoWomen's Health Protection Act of 2021 — House passage · H.R. 3755 · Passed 218–211 · 2021-09-24 roll call ↗Would have created a federal statutory right for providers to offer, and patients to receive, abortion services, limiting state restrictions.
  • NoAmerican Dream and Promise Act of 2021 — House passage · H.R. 6 · Passed 228–197 · 2021-03-18 roll call ↗Would have created a path to permanent legal status for many undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children and for certain TPS and DED holders.

On the record — official actions

  • actionServes on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce (2025-2026), including its Subcommittees on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade; Health; and Energy.[2]

Positions on the issues

  • SupportsExpand immigration enforcement and deportationsFrom recorded votes

    Voted yes on Laken Riley Act (S. 5, 2025-01-22). Voted yes on One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-05-22; 2025-07-03), which funded expanded immigration enforcement, detention and border operations. Voted yes on Secure the Border Act of 2023 (H.R. 2, 2023-05-11). Voted no on American Dream and Promise Act of 2021 (H.R. 6, 2021-03-18).[6][7][8][9][10][11]

  • OpposesExpand public health coverageFrom recorded votes

    Voted yes on One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-05-22; 2025-07-03), which reduced federal Medicaid spending and added Medicaid work requirements. Voted no on Breaking the Gridlock Act (H.R. 1834, 2026-01-08).[7][8][9][12]

  • OpposesFaster transition away from fossil fuelsFrom recorded votes

    Voted yes on One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-05-22; 2025-07-03), which phased out Inflation Reduction Act clean-energy tax credits. Voted no on Build Back Better Act (H.R. 5376, 2021-11-19; 2022-08-12), which would have funded clean-energy tax credits.[7][8][9][13][14]

  • OpposesRaise taxes on high earners or corporationsFrom recorded votes

    Voted yes on One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-05-22; 2025-07-03), which made the 2017 individual tax rates, including the 37% top rate, permanent. Voted no on Inflation Reduction Act (H.R. 5376, 2022-08-12), which added a 15% minimum tax on large corporations and a stock-buyback excise tax.[7][8][9][14]

  • SupportsBroad tariffs on imported goodsFrom recorded votes

    Voted no on Resolution disapproving tariffs on Canada (H.J. Res. 72, 2026-02-11).[15]

  • OpposesUniversal, publicly funded child careFrom recorded votes

    Voted no on Build Back Better Act (H.R. 5376, 2021-11-19), which would have funded universal pre-K and child-care subsidies.[13]

  • OpposesStricter gun lawsFrom recorded votes

    Voted no on Assault Weapons Ban of 2022 (H.R. 1808, 2022-07-29). Voted no on Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (S. 2938, 2022-06-24).[16][17]

  • OpposesProtect legal access to abortionFrom recorded votes

    Voted no on Women's Health Protection Act of 2021 (H.R. 3755, 2021-09-24). Voted no on Women's Health Protection Act of 2022 (H.R. 8296, 2022-07-15).[18][19]

Background

  • Born in Bloomingdale, Tennessee; earned an undergraduate degree from East Tennessee State University and a doctorate in pharmacy from Mercer University College of Pharmacy.[2]
  • Worked as a licensed pharmacist and business owner, and served as a board member of the International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists.[2]

Campaign money

Raised $1.3M · spent $740K · $2.0M cash on hand (through 2026-07-17) FEC filing ↗

Kristi Burke

D

Won the August 6, 2026 Democratic primary

Kristi Burke is the Democratic nominee for Tennessee's 1st District, running on a platform centered on healthcare access and economic fairness for East Tennessee.[3]

Basic profile — the most important sourced facts we found.

Positions on the issues

  • SupportsExpand public health coverage

    Campaign message emphasizes that healthcare should not depend on wealth and says no one in the district should be 'one medical emergency away from ruin.'[3]

    “I believe that essential needs like healthcare, housing, and a clean environment, should never be gatekept by wealth.”

In their words — priorities

  • Says essential needs like healthcare, housing, and a clean environment should not be gatekept by wealth, and frames her campaign as a challenge to policies that prioritize corporate interests over working residents.[3]

Background

  • Says she was raised with a religious upbringing that taught her to 'care for the vulnerable,' and describes herself as living without health insurance under what she calls a 'pay or pray' system.[3]

Campaign money

Raised $102K · spent $88K · $14K cash on hand (through 2026-07-17) FEC filing ↗

Joshua Ray Ashburn

IND

Joshua Ray Ashburn is an independent candidate who says he supports term limits, stronger border security, and reduced U.S. involvement in foreign conflicts.[4]

Little public record found for this candidate.

In their words — priorities

  • Says he strongly supports term limits and putting 'the people first instead of politics.'[4]

Chris Campbell

IND

Chris Campbell is an independent candidate from East Tennessee running on a platform of manufacturing jobs, patient-directed healthcare, and opposition to tariffs.[5]

Little public record found for this candidate.

Positions on the issues

  • OpposesBroad tariffs on imported goods

    Says tariffs have made housing, energy, groceries, and transportation more expensive and supports abolishing them.[5]

    “These are fueled by tariffs (taxes) that were unconstitutionally imposed on Americans and a war that we should have never taken part.”

In their words — priorities

  • Wants to restore domestic manufacturing and 'reshoring' of industries, and supports patients' rights to pursue treatments their providers recommend without insurer denial.[5]

Background

  • Says he has spent his professional career supporting manufacturers and grew up watching factory closures affect his family in Appalachia.[5]

Richard Baker

IND

Richard Baker is a perennial independent candidate who has run for this seat in multiple previous elections (2020, 2022, and 2024). No campaign platform statements were found for the 2026 race.[1]

Little public record found for this candidate.

Billy Cody

IND

Billy Cody is an independent candidate on the November 3, 2026 general-election ballot for Tennessee's 1st District. No campaign website or public policy statements were found.[1]

Little public record found for this candidate.

Tyler McClain

IND

Tyler McClain is an independent candidate on the November 3, 2026 general-election ballot for Tennessee's 1st District. No campaign website or public policy statements were found.[1]

Little public record found for this candidate.

Research notes & limits

Diana Harshbarger did not complete Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey for 2026; her federal key votes and FEC totals are added separately by script. Richard Baker, Billy Cody, and Tyler McClain are independent candidates with no discoverable campaign platform for 2026 beyond appearing on the ballot list.

Sources · 19

Researched 2026-09-25. Green citations are official government records.

  1. 1.Tennessee's 1st Congressional District election, 2026 · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
  2. 2.Diana Harshbarger · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
  3. 3.Kristi Burke's Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey responses · Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey Candidate's own words
  4. 4.Joshua Ray Ashburn's Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey responses · Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey Candidate's own words
  5. 5.Chris Campbell's Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey responses · Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey Candidate's own words
  6. 6.Roll call: Laken Riley Act — final passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-01-22 Official record
  7. 7.Roll call: One Big Beautiful Bill Act — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-05-22 Official record
  8. 8.H.R. 1 (119th Congress) — One Big Beautiful Bill Act: text and summary · Congress.gov Official record
  9. 9.Roll call: One Big Beautiful Bill Act — final passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-07-03 Official record
  10. 10.Roll call: Secure the Border Act of 2023 — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2023-05-11 Official record
  11. 11.Roll call: American Dream and Promise Act of 2021 — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2021-03-18 Official record
  12. 12.Roll call: Breaking the Gridlock Act — ACA subsidy extension · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2026-01-08 Official record
  13. 13.Roll call: Build Back Better Act — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2021-11-19 Official record
  14. 14.Roll call: Inflation Reduction Act — final House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2022-08-12 Official record
  15. 15.Roll call: Resolution disapproving tariffs on Canada · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2026-02-11 Official record
  16. 16.Roll call: Assault Weapons Ban of 2022 — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2022-07-29 Official record
  17. 17.Roll call: Bipartisan Safer Communities Act — final House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2022-06-24 Official record
  18. 18.Roll call: Women's Health Protection Act of 2021 — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2021-09-24 Official record
  19. 19.Roll call: Women's Health Protection Act of 2022 — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2022-07-15 Official record