Heidi
Kuhn
Democratic nominee for Tennessee's 8th Congressional District and Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk since 2018
- sources
- 8
- positions
- 10
- endorsements
- 7
Background
Heidi Kuhn is the Democratic nominee for Tennessee's 8th Congressional District in the November 2026 general election, having won the Democratic primary on August 6, 2026. 1013 She currently serves as Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk, a position she has held since September 2018 following her election in August of that year. 287
Before entering elected office, Kuhn built a career in Shelby County Government beginning in 2001, holding roles including Executive Director of the Crime Victims Center, Deputy Director of Community Services, Director of Training, and Special Assistant and Lead Strategist to the Shelby County Sheriff. She also served as an adjunct instructor at Christian Brothers University. 87
Kuhn holds a bachelor's degree in education from the University of New Mexico and a master's degree in business administration from Christian Brothers University. 28 Her campaign and party profiles list Cordova, Tennessee as her community, while a September 2026 candidate guide notes she was born in Colorado and currently lives in Memphis. 31
In the general election, Kuhn faces incumbent Republican David Kustoff in a district that has historically favored Republicans. 413
At a glance
- Party
- Democratic
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 8, Tennessee
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk
- Website
- kuhnforcongress.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 5newsGeneral-election matchup and November 3 election date confirmed for Kuhn vs. Kustoff in District 8
The Commercial Appeal reported that Kuhn would face incumbent David Kustoff in Tennessee's 8th District on November 3, 2026. Early voting in Shelby County is scheduled for October 14–29.
Elections are almost here in Memphis, Shelby County. Key dates, races · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Aug 6newsHeidi Kuhn wins Democratic primary in Tennessee's 8th Congressional District
Kuhn received 23,783 votes (51.95%) in the Democratic primary, securing the nomination to face Republican incumbent David Kustoff in the November 3 general election.
Heidi Kuhn — 2026 U.S. Representative, District 8 campaign · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jul 25filingKuhn files pre-primary campaign finance report: $38,305 raised, $26,327 spent, $13,478 cash on hand
Who Funds Tennessee lists Kuhn's latest filing as her pre-primary 2026 report, reflecting figures through the reporting period ending around July 25, 2026.
Heidi Kuhn — 2026 U.S. Representative, District 8 campaign · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- National Women's Political Caucus organizationLists 'Heidi Kuhn — TN-08' among its 2026 endorsed candidates; no specific endorsement date given on the page. nwpc.org
- Tennessee AFL-CIO Labor Council unionListed Kuhn as endorsed candidate for U.S. House District 8 in its 2026 general-election endorsements announcement. tnaflcio.org · Aug 18, 2026
- Former U.S. Rep. Harold Ford Sr. officialThe Commercial Appeal reported Kuhn 'quickly received endorsements' from these officials after her primary win; no individual endorsement date given. commercialappeal.com · Aug 7, 2026
- U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tennessee) officialReported by Action News 5 (August 7, 2026) and The Commercial Appeal (August 7, 2026). actionnews5.com · Aug 7, 2026
- Former Tennessee House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh officialThe Commercial Appeal reported Kuhn 'quickly received endorsements' from these officials after her primary win; no individual endorsement date given. commercialappeal.com · Aug 7, 2026
- Former Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton officialThe Commercial Appeal reported Kuhn 'quickly received endorsements' from these officials after her primary win; no individual endorsement date given. commercialappeal.com · Aug 7, 2026
- Memphis Mayor Paul Young officialThe Commercial Appeal reported Kuhn 'quickly received endorsements' from these officials after her primary win; no individual endorsement date given. commercialappeal.com · Aug 7, 2026
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $40K
- Spent
- $26K
- Cash on hand
- $13K
As of Jul 17, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6TN08367(opens in a new tab)
Sources 8
- [1] Elections are almost here in Memphis, Shelby County. Key dates, races(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
- [2] Heidi Kuhn — 2026 U.S. Representative, District 8 campaign(opens in a new tab) Oct 1, 2026
- [3] Tennessee's 8th District deserves better. We need change. We ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 3, 2026
- [4] Endorsed Candidates - National Women's Political Caucus(opens in a new tab) Aug 25, 2026
- [5] TN AFL-CIO Announces 2026 General Election ...(opens in a new tab) Aug 18, 2026
- [6] Heidi Kuhn wins Democratic nomination for District 8 ...(opens in a new tab) Aug 7, 2026
- [7] Heidi Kuhn wins District 8 Democratic Party primary(opens in a new tab) Aug 7, 2026
- [8] Issues - Kuhn for Congress(opens in a new tab) Jun 19, 2026