Richard
G. Baker
Independent challenger for Tennessee's 1st Congressional District seat in 2026, based in Johnson City, TN
- sources
- 3
- positions
- 0
- endorsements
- 0
Background
Richard G. Baker is an Independent candidate running for U.S. Representative for Tennessee's 1st Congressional District in the November 3, 2026 general election. 111 He is based in Johnson City, Tennessee, and is classified by the FEC as a challenger to the incumbent, Representative Diana Harshbarger. 1115 Baker has run for this same seat in previous election cycles, including 2022 and 2024, though he has not held prior elected office. 1516) One secondary candidate directory describes him as a retired seasonal worker and Army veteran, though these details could not be corroborated with a primary source. 7 No official campaign website or verified social media accounts have been identified in available sources. 172
At a glance
- Party
- Independent
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 1, Tennessee
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
No sourced positions are on file yet.
Timeline
- Nov 3filingBaker on ballot as independent in Tennessee's 1st District general election
Multiple sources list Baker as an independent candidate on the November 3, 2026 general election ballot for Tennessee's 1st Congressional District. No specific filing date was identified in the sources reviewed.
TN voter guide for the General election on Nov 03, 2026. - iVoterGuide · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 12newsBaker listed as independent candidate in Tennessee 1st District general election
A report on Tennessee early voting named Richard G. Baker as an independent candidate for the 1st Congressional District, alongside Republican Diana Harshbarger, Democrat Kristi Burke, and other independents.
Early voting begins Wednesday in Tennessee · Oct 12, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 9filingBaker included in iVoterGuide Tennessee general-election listing for 1st District
iVoterGuide's Tennessee general-election race page listed Baker as an independent candidate in the 1st District race as of its October 9–11 update.
TN voter guide for the General election on Nov 03, 2026. - iVoterGuide · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 6newsBaker shown on ChamberLight race page with no campaign funds reported
A race-tracker page updated October 6 showed Baker as an independent in the 1st District and displayed no amount raised for his campaign. The page notes its finance figures refer to candidate committees and exclude outside groups.
Tennessee's 1st Congressional District 2026: Burke vs. Harshbarger | ChamberLight · Sep 28, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Sources 3
- [1] Early voting begins Wednesday in Tennessee(opens in a new tab) Oct 12, 2026
- [2] TN voter guide for the General election on Nov 03, 2026. - iVoterGuide(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [3] Tennessee's 1st Congressional District 2026: Burke vs. Harshbarger | ChamberLight(opens in a new tab) Sep 28, 2026