Heidi Kuhn

Kuhn earned a bachelor's degree from the University of New Mexico (a bachelor's in education, according to a news report) and a graduate degree from Christian Brothers University.[2][3] She began her career with Shelby County Government in 2000 as a health programs manager.[3]

Kuhn was elected Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk in 2018, defeating incumbent Richard DeSaussure with 58.6% of the vote, and was re-elected in 2022 with 62.0%.[2][4] After taking office, she and colleagues found unaccounted-for checks and files, and she launched an audit of the clerk's office. She also said the office had a low number of criminal-record expungements.[7]

Kuhn did not seek re-election as clerk in 2026, and Ballotpedia lists her term as ending September 1, 2026. She ran for Shelby County mayor and lost the May 5, 2026 Democratic primary to Mickell Lowery.[2][4][3] She won the August 6, 2026 Democratic primary for the 8th District with 51.8% of the vote against three opponents, and WSMV reports she was endorsed by outgoing Rep. Steve Cohen. She describes herself as a lifelong public servant and community leader.[8][4][5] During the campaign, she described her focus as lowering costs, supporting farmers and workers, and expanding second chances through criminal justice reform.[5] She received 46.4% of the vote to David Kustoff's 51.6%, according to unofficial results reported by NBC News.[1]