Horace
Taylor
Independent challenger Horace Taylor, retired Army Major and cybersecurity specialist, runs for Tennessee's 8th Congressional District in 2026.
- sources
- 7
- positions
- 8
- endorsements
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Background
Horace Taylor is an Independent candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in Tennessee's 8th Congressional District in the November 3, 2026 general election. He is a challenger; the incumbent is Republican David Kustoff. 1214
Taylor is a retired U.S. Army Major who served 27 years on active duty in the Signal and Acquisition Corps. Following his military service, he worked as a defense contractor, a federal supervisor, and an Information Systems Security Manager, and his campaign describes him as a cybersecurity specialist supporting the Department of War. 1
He is also the founder and owner of Germantown Small Engine Repair LLC, co-founder of The Memphis Gavel Club, and a board member of the Pediatric Learning Center. Taylor holds a B.S. in Engineering Technology from the University of Memphis and an M.S. in Information Technology from the University of Maryland. 1
Taylor was born and raised in West Tennessee—WSMV reports his hometown as Memphis—and currently lives in Germantown, Tennessee. No prior elected office is identified in available sources. 14
At a glance
- Party
- Independent
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 8, Tennessee
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Website
- horacetaylortn.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 12newsTaylor listed among general-election candidates as early voting approaches for Tennessee's 8th District
A report on Tennessee's upcoming early voting lists Taylor as one of six independents on the District 8 ballot, alongside Republican David Kustoff, Democrat Heidi Kuhn, and other independents. Early voting was scheduled to begin October 14; Election Day is November 3.
Early voting begins Wednesday in Tennessee · Oct 12, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 8newsMidterm Project profile updated: Taylor has raised ~$2,000, spent ~$1,000, with $805 cash on hand
A profile updated October 8 reports approximately $2,000 raised, $1,000 spent, and $805 cash on hand, citing FEC filings. Figures differ slightly from the ChamberLight summary, likely due to different reporting cutoffs.
Horace Taylor — U.S. House candidate (Independent, Tennessee ... · Sep 27, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 28newsChamberLight profiles Taylor's fundraising: ~$2,000 raised, ~$1,000 spent, ~$1,000 cash on hand through July 17
ChamberLight's September 28 profile, updated October 4, gives rounded totals of $2,000 raised, $1,000 spent, and $1,000 cash on hand, citing FEC filings through July 17. These are secondary summaries and exact totals should be checked against underlying FEC filings.
Tennessee's 8th Congressional District 2026: Kuhn vs. Kustoff | ChamberLight · Sep 28, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 28newsWSMV publishes candidate biography for Horace Taylor
WSMV described Taylor as 64, born and raised in Memphis and living in Germantown. He holds a bachelor's degree in engineering technology from the University of Memphis, served 27 years in the U.S. Army, and works as a cybersecurity analyst for a defense contractor. No policy positions or campaign statements were included.
Here's everything you need to know about TN's candidates ... · Sep 28, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Aug 6filingHorace Taylor advances to the Tennessee 8th District general election as an Independent
A candidate profile reports that Taylor, running as an independent, advanced to the November 3 general election. No further detail about the ballot process was provided.
Horace Taylor — U.S. House candidate (Independent, Tennessee ... · Sep 27, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $8,119
- Spent
- $7,975
- Cash on hand
- $244
As of Sep 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6TN08342(opens in a new tab)
Sources 7
- [1] Early voting begins Wednesday in Tennessee(opens in a new tab) Oct 12, 2026
- [2] Horace Taylor for Congress | Tennessee's 8th District(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
- [3] Vision(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
- [4] Issues(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
- [5] Here's everything you need to know about TN's candidates ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 28, 2026
- [6] Tennessee's 8th Congressional District 2026: Kuhn vs. Kustoff | ChamberLight(opens in a new tab) Sep 28, 2026
- [7] Horace Taylor — U.S. House candidate (Independent, Tennessee ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 27, 2026