Misam Abidi

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]

In his Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey responses, Abidi says he moved to the United States from Lahore, Pakistan, as a teenager in 1997.[5] He says he has worked in retail, technology and banking and has started businesses in financial education and emerging technologies.[5]

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.[2][3][4]

Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21.