Kristi
Burke
Democratic challenger Kristi Burke, a muralist from Chuckey, TN, is running for U.S. House in Tennessee's 1st Congressional District in 2026.
- sources
- 8
- positions
- 12
- endorsements
- 2
Background
Kristi Burke is a Democratic candidate running for the U.S. House of Representatives in Tennessee's 1st Congressional District in the November 2026 general election, challenging Republican incumbent Diana Harshbarger. 158
Burke is from Chuckey, Tennessee, and her campaign biography describes her background in the beauty industry before she built and ran a mural business, installing murals in Florida, North Carolina, and Tennessee, including inside two Florida city halls. She also created a YouTube platform. 92
Burke gained attention after she says she was removed by police from a town hall held by Rep. Harshbarger while asking a question, an incident she cited as a primary motivation for entering the race. Her campaign biography states, "My resume isn't a list of political appointments," and no prior elected office is identified in available sources. 2920
She won the Democratic primary in August 2026 and has received endorsements including from Third Act Tennessee. The FEC classifies her as a challenger in this race. 583
At a glance
- Party
- Democratic
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 1, Tennessee
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Website
- votekristiburke.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 8debateBurke calls out Harshbarger for not accepting debate challenge since August primary
WJHL reported that Burke had been challenging incumbent Diana Harshbarger to debate since her August 6 primary victory. Burke stated, 'We have been challenging her to that ever since.' Harshbarger's full response and whether a debate was ultimately scheduled were not established in the available reporting.
Diana Harshbarger responds to Kristi Burke's debate challenge in TN-01 race · Oct 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 3endorsementThird Act Tennessee endorses Kristi Burke for U.S. Congress
Third Act Tennessee announced its endorsement of Burke, citing her support for Medicare for All, fully funding public schools, expanding Social Security, reproductive freedom, LGBTQ+ rights, and limits on corporate and dark-money influence.
Third Act Tennessee Endorses Kristi Burke for U.S. Congress · Oct 3, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 28filingRace tracker reports Burke raised $102,000, spent $88,000, with $14,000 cash on hand
ChamberLight's race tracker lists Burke's fundraising figures as $102,000 raised, $88,000 spent, and $14,000 cash on hand, based on FEC data through July 17. These are tracker-reported figures; official FEC filings should be consulted for authoritative totals.
Tennessee's 1st Congressional District 2026: Burke vs. Harshbarger | ChamberLight · Sep 28, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Aug 6newsKristi Burke wins Democratic primary in Tennessee's 1st Congressional District
Burke won the Democratic primary on August 6, 2026, securing the nomination to challenge Republican incumbent Diana Harshbarger in the November 3 general election.
Diana Harshbarger responds to Kristi Burke's debate challenge in TN-01 race · Oct 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- Third Act Tennessee organizationThe group stated: "Third Act Tennessee proudly endorses Kristi Burke for U.S. Congress representing Tennessee Congressional District 1." thirdact.org · Oct 3, 2026
- Tennessee AFL-CIO Labor Council unionThe council's announcement lists "KRISTI BURKE – US HOUSE DISTRICT 1" among its 2026 general-election endorsed candidates. tnaflcio.org · Aug 18, 2026
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $102K
- Spent
- $88K
- Cash on hand
- $14K
As of Jul 17, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6TN01537(opens in a new tab)
Sources 8
- [1] Diana Harshbarger responds to Kristi Burke's debate challenge in TN-01 race(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
- [2] Third Act Tennessee Endorses Kristi Burke for U.S. Congress(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
- [3] Tennessee's 1st Congressional District 2026: Burke vs. Harshbarger | ChamberLight(opens in a new tab) Sep 28, 2026
- [4] Kristi Burke (D) – TN-01 House 2026 | Smarter.Vote(opens in a new tab) Sep 2, 2026
- [5] Non-Negotiables(opens in a new tab) Aug 22, 2026
- [6] TN AFL-CIO Announces 2026 General Election ...(opens in a new tab) Aug 18, 2026
- [7] Kristi Burke(opens in a new tab) Aug 6, 2026
- [8] U.S. House Democratic candidates share campaign goals(opens in a new tab) Jul 7, 2026