Federal

U.S. Representative, 2nd Congressional District

Vote for: 1
Term: 2 years
Candidates: 4
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: A member of the U.S. House of Representatives votes on federal laws, taxes and spending on behalf of the district.

The district's lines were redrawn in May 2026: check your district by address.

Candidates Compare by issue

Michaela Barnett

Democratic

Civil engineer; small-business owner · Knoxvile

The gist

Supports raising the federal minimum wage to at least $15.
Supports a minimum tax on extreme wealth.
Supports a universal health care option alongside private insurance.
Supports a constitutional amendment overturning Citizens United.
Supports independent commissions to end partisan gerrymandering.
Supports full BEAD funding to expand rural broadband.
Supports letting cities and states regulate data centers.
Supports higher teacher pay and capped student loan interest.

More about Michaela

View sources (5)

Supports raising the federal minimum wage to at least $15.
An Economy that Works for All — Michaela For Tennessee
Campaign website · Michaela For Tennessee · michaelafortennessee.com
“Cosponsor and vote for a federal minimum wage increase – pushing to raise the floor to at least $15/hour”
Supports a minimum tax on extreme wealth.
An Economy that Works for All — Michaela For Tennessee
Campaign website · Michaela For Tennessee · michaelafortennessee.com
“establish a minimum tax on extreme wealth so the ultra-rich pay what working Tennesseans already do”
Supports a universal health care option alongside private insurance.
Healthcare Focused on People, Not Profits — Michaela For Tennessee
Campaign website · Michaela For Tennessee · michaelafortennessee.com
“Advocate for a universal healthcare option, while preserving your freedom to purchase additional insurance coverage”
Supports a constitutional amendment overturning Citizens United.
A Government that Actually Represents Us — Michaela For Tennessee
Campaign website · Michaela For Tennessee · michaelafortennessee.com
“A constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United and restore power to the people”
Supports independent commissions to end partisan gerrymandering.
A Government that Actually Represents Us — Michaela For Tennessee
Campaign website · Michaela For Tennessee · michaelafortennessee.com
“End partisan gerrymandering by requiring independent redistricting commissions”
Supports full BEAD funding to expand rural broadband.
Building Better Infrastructure — Michaela For Tennessee
Campaign website · Michaela For Tennessee · michaelafortennessee.com
“Close the broadband gap in rural communities by advocating for full implementation of BEAD program funding”
Supports letting cities and states regulate data centers.
VOTE411 Voter Guide: United States House of Representatives District 2
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters of Tennessee (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“Congress should protect cities’ and states’ rights to regulate data centers, impose restrictions that protect community resources”
Supports higher teacher pay and capped student loan interest.
VOTE411 Voter Guide: United States House of Representatives District 2
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters of Tennessee (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“Congress should raise teacher salaries, cap student loan interest rates, lower cost barriers for trade schools”

Bruce Fine

Independent

Chestnut farmer; former marine mechanic and photojournalist · Thornhill

The gist

Supports a moratorium on data centers pending stronger laws.
Proposes ending tariffs not targeted at strategic goals.
Supports ending U.S. military aggression in the Middle East.
Opposes federal money for private-school vouchers.
Supports expanding affordable medical, dental and vision care.
Pledges federal funding for roads, bridges, broadband and transit.
Supports incentives for new and rehabilitated affordable housing.

More about Bruce

View sources (1)

Supports a moratorium on data centers pending stronger laws.
VOTE411 Voter Guide: United States House of Representatives District 2
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters of Tennessee (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“I stand firm for a moratorium on data centers until strong legislation with real teeth”
Proposes ending tariffs not targeted at strategic goals.
VOTE411 Voter Guide: United States House of Representatives District 2
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters of Tennessee (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“Congress can improve affordability by ending tariffs that are not specifically targeted for strategic purpose”
Supports ending U.S. military aggression in the Middle East.
VOTE411 Voter Guide: United States House of Representatives District 2
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters of Tennessee (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“ending our military aggression in the Middle East”
Opposes federal money for private-school vouchers.
VOTE411 Voter Guide: United States House of Representatives District 2
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters of Tennessee (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“Federal dollars should support public education, not private-school vouchers”
Supports expanding affordable medical, dental and vision care.
VOTE411 Voter Guide: United States House of Representatives District 2
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters of Tennessee (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“I can work to improve healthcare by expanding access to affordable medical, dental, and vision care, especially in rural areas.”
Pledges federal funding for roads, bridges, broadband and transit.
VOTE411 Voter Guide: United States House of Representatives District 2
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters of Tennessee (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“I will work to secure federal funding to modernize roads, bridges, broadband, and public transit”
Supports incentives for new and rehabilitated affordable housing.
VOTE411 Voter Guide: United States House of Representatives District 2
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters of Tennessee (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“Affordable housing could be increased through incentives for new construction and rehabilitation, first-time homebuyer assistance”

Adam Heimerman

Independent

River guide · Lenoir City

The gist

Proposes legislation to overturn Citizens United.
Pledges to accept no PAC money.
Supports limiting institutional investors' bulk home purchases.
Supports secure borders and a clear legal immigration path.
Opposes privatizing national parks and public lands.
Supports requiring offsets for all new federal spending.
Supports full public school funding and higher teacher pay.

More about Adam

View sources (2)

Proposes legislation to overturn Citizens United.
Adam's Platform — Heimerman for Congress
Campaign website · Heimerman for Congress · vote4heimerman.com
“Introduce legislation to overturn Citizens United”
Pledges to accept no PAC money.
Adam's Platform — Heimerman for Congress
Campaign website · Heimerman for Congress · vote4heimerman.com
“Never accepting PAC money, only funds from citizens”
Supports limiting institutional investors' bulk home purchases.
Adam's Platform — Heimerman for Congress
Campaign website · Heimerman for Congress · vote4heimerman.com
“Restrict institutional investors from bulk-buying single-family homes”
Supports secure borders and a clear legal immigration path.
Adam's Platform — Heimerman for Congress
Campaign website · Heimerman for Congress · vote4heimerman.com
“those who seek the American Dream should have a clear path and compassionate people willing to help them achieve the steps of legal immigration”
Opposes privatizing national parks and public lands.
Adam's Platform — Heimerman for Congress
Campaign website · Heimerman for Congress · vote4heimerman.com
“Vehemently oppose privatization of national parks and public lands”
Supports requiring offsets for all new federal spending.
Adam's Platform — Heimerman for Congress
Campaign website · Heimerman for Congress · vote4heimerman.com
“Require pay-fors on all new spending legislation”
Supports full public school funding and higher teacher pay.
VOTE411 Voter Guide: United States House of Representatives District 2
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters of Tennessee (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“Fully fund public education. Give teachers a better salary and part of a public pension”

Tim Burchett

RepublicanIncumbent

U.S. Representative · Knoxville

The gist

Introduced bills restricting diesel fuel exports to lower prices.In office
Introduced a bill raising the standard deduction for all taxpayers.In office
Sponsored a House-passed bill auditing state-run federal programs.In office
Introduced a bill requiring GAO duplication reviews of new bills.In office
Introduced a bill to curb SNAP benefit trafficking.In office
Introduced a bill authorizing private cyber operations against criminals.In office
Introduced a bill toughening sentences for defrauding veterans.In office

In office = from the candidate's own official statements or legislation as an officeholder, not their campaign.

More about Tim

View sources (7)

Introduced bills restricting diesel fuel exports to lower prices.
Rep. Tim Burchett Drops Two Bills to Address Affordability
Public statement · Office of Rep. Tim Burchett · Sep 17, 2026 · burchett.house.gov
“H.R. 10423 implements an export control (ban) on diesel fuel until January 2027.”
Introduced a bill raising the standard deduction for all taxpayers.
Rep. Burchett Introduces Trump Tariff Rebate Act
Public statement · Office of Rep. Tim Burchett · Dec 17, 2025 · burchett.house.gov
“The legislation would increase the standard deduction for all taxpaying Americans.”
Sponsored a House-passed bill auditing state-run federal programs.
Congressman Burchett’s Fraud Bill Passes the House
Public statement · Office of Rep. Tim Burchett · Jun 8, 2026 · burchett.house.gov
“will establish a program in the office of the Comptroller General (GAO) to produce a recurring assessment of federally funded State-administered programs”
Introduced a bill requiring GAO duplication reviews of new bills.
DOGE Subcommittee Chairman Burchett and Ranking Member Stansbury Introduce the Duplication Scoring Act
Public statement · Office of Rep. Tim Burchett · Mar 26, 2026 · burchett.house.gov
“This bill will require the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to review bills reported by committees for potential duplication of existing federal programs.”
Introduced a bill to curb SNAP benefit trafficking.
Congressman Burchett Introduces Bill to Improve SNAP Trafficking Data
Public statement · Office of Rep. Tim Burchett · Jul 14, 2026 · burchett.house.gov
“improves the collection of SNAP trafficking data to enable better oversight of potential abuse across the country”
Introduced a bill authorizing private cyber operations against criminals.
Congressman Burchett Introduces Bill to Allow to President to Issue Cyber Letters of Marque and Reprisal
Public statement · Office of Rep. Tim Burchett · Jul 15, 2026 · burchett.house.gov
“authorizes the President to commission private contractors and entities for the purpose of conducting limited cyberspace operations”
Introduced a bill toughening sentences for defrauding veterans.
Congressman Burchett Introduces Bill to Protect Veterans from Fraud
Public statement · Office of Rep. Tim Burchett · Apr 30, 2026 · burchett.house.gov
“a sentencing enhancement of up to ten years in prison for someone convicted of committing or conspiring to commit fraud that purposefully targeted a veteran”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 10 issues covered in this race.