Mike
Croley
Democratic nominee Mike Croley, a former Navy veteran and federal public servant, is challenging for Tennessee's open 6th Congressional District seat in 2026.
- sources
- 10
- positions
- 12
- endorsements
- 3
Background
Mike Croley is the Democratic candidate for U.S. House of Representatives in Tennessee's 6th Congressional District in the 2026 general election. He won the Democratic primary on August 6, 2026, and faces Republican Johnny Garrett in the November general election, running for an open seat vacated by Rep. John Rose, who is seeking the governorship. 217
Croley grew up in Illinois and Kentucky and now lives in Crossville, Tennessee. He served in the U.S. Navy as an Electronics Technician, later became an efficiency engineer with the Tennessee Valley Authority's EnergyRight program, and worked as a Tennessee State Park Ranger from 2015 to 2021. He subsequently earned a master's degree and received a Presidential Management Fellowship, going on to work with NOAA and the U.S. Departments of State and Agriculture. 12
Croley graduated from Ohio County High School in Hartford, Kentucky, earned a degree in civil and environmental engineering from Vanderbilt University, and a master's degree in public safety from Tennessee Tech in Cookeville. The Nashville Banner lists his current occupation as nonprofit founder. 123
Croley has no prior elected office. His campaign focuses on his background in federal public service and engineering. He has received endorsements including from Third Act Tennessee. 4
At a glance
- Party
- Democratic
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 6, Tennessee
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Nonprofit founder; Democratic candidate for U.S. House, Tennessee's 6th Congressional District
- Website
- croleyforcongress.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Sep 29endorsementGarrett receives endorsements from House Majority Leader Scalise and Rep. Burchett; no comparable Croley endorsement reported
The Nashville Banner reported high-profile endorsements of Garrett from House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Rep. Tim Burchett. No comparable major endorsement for Croley was documented in the report.
Johnny Garrett, Mike Croley square off in 6th District · Sep 29, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 29debateCroley invites Garrett to debate via phone and social media; no response received as of publication
Croley told the Nashville Banner he had called Garrett's office and posted a social-media video inviting Garrett to debate. As of September 29, Garrett had not responded and no debate date or format had been agreed upon.
Johnny Garrett, Mike Croley square off in 6th District · Sep 29, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 29newsNashville Banner profiles Croley's 'Triple-A Blueprint' campaign and policy positions
In an interview, Croley described entering the race due to his public-service background and dissatisfaction with Rep. John Rose. He outlined a 'Triple-A Blueprint' (affordability, accessibility, accountability), and stated positions opposing data centers, opposing U.S. military support for Israel, supporting abortion rights, supporting gun ownership with safeguards, and opposing Trump administration immigration enforcement.
Johnny Garrett, Mike Croley square off in 6th District · Sep 29, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 27pollNonpartisan model estimates Garrett holds a 23.7-point starting advantage over Croley
The Political Group published an underdog analysis based on past election results—not a current voter survey—estimating Garrett's starting advantage at 23.7 points. The group reported finding no 2026 polls of the race.
What it would take for Mike Croley. - Tennessee - The Political Group · Sep 27, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 23newsCroley posts 'When Money Gets a Vote,' highlighting fundraising disparity with Garrett
Croley published a campaign post contrasting his fundraising ($35,000 in donations) with Garrett's ($2.3 million), urging readers to review FEC records. An independent tracker listed his total receipts as $35,380 through the July 20 pre-primary filing, with $2,431 cash on hand.
When Money Gets a Vote - Croley For Congress · Sep 23, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 23newsCroley publishes 'The Country We Were Promised,' outlining civil-liberties and surveillance policy positions
Croley posted a policy statement calling for warrants, limits, audits, disclosure, short data-retention periods, and consequences for misuse of law-enforcement surveillance tools.
The Country We Were Promised - Croley For Congress · Sep 23, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Aug 6filingCroley wins Democratic primary with 11,594 votes (28.9%) in Tennessee's 6th District
Mike Croley won the Democratic nomination in Tennessee's 6th Congressional District primary, receiving 11,594 votes (28.9%). Republican Johnny Garrett also won his primary, defeating former U.S. Rep. Van Hilleary.
Mike Croley - — 2026 US Representative, District 6 campaign · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- Indivisible organizationListed as an endorser on The Political Revolution's candidate page for Mike Croley. pol-rev.com
- The Political Revolution organizationListed as an endorser on The Political Revolution's candidate page for Mike Croley. pol-rev.com
- Third Act Tennessee organizationThird Act Tennessee announced: 'Third Act Tennessee is thrilled to announce our endorsement of Mike Croley for U.S. Congress.' thirdact.org · Sep 8, 2026
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $35K
- Spent
- $33K
- Cash on hand
- $2,431
As of Jul 17, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6TN06171(opens in a new tab)
Sources 10
- [1] Mike Croley - — 2026 US Representative, District 6 campaign(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [2] Johnny Garrett, Mike Croley square off in 6th District(opens in a new tab) Sep 29, 2026
- [3] What it would take for Mike Croley. - Tennessee - The Political Group(opens in a new tab) Sep 27, 2026
- [4] The Country We Were Promised - Croley For Congress(opens in a new tab) Sep 23, 2026
- [5] When Money Gets a Vote - Croley For Congress(opens in a new tab) Sep 23, 2026
- [6] Third Act Tennessee Endorses Mike Croley for U.S. Congress(opens in a new tab) Sep 8, 2026
- [7] Meet Mike Croley(opens in a new tab) Sep 5, 2026
- [8] Mike Croley – Political Revolution(opens in a new tab) Aug 6, 2026
- [9] Mike Croley: Democratic candidate for Congress 6 - Nashville ...(opens in a new tab) Jul 16, 2026
- [10] So, You're Here to Take Our Guns? - Croley For Congress(opens in a new tab) Apr 26, 2026