Republican · Tennessee's 2nd District · 2026
Tim Burchett
Burchett grew up with two educators for parents and went into business before public office, running a composting company and a truck and trailer business.
Biography
Tim Burchett's daughter has given him the title of best crawdad catcher in North America.1 He lives in Knox County's Gibbs community with his wife, Kelly, and their daughter, and his earlier businesses included composting yard waste and running a truck and trailer operation.21
Burchett grew up in Knoxville, attended Bearden High School and earned an education degree at the University of Tennessee.1 Both parents were educators; his father fought in the Pacific during World War II, and his mother learned to fly in support of the war effort.1 Before entering Congress in January 2019, he spent 16 years in Tennessee's legislature and eight as Knox County mayor.2
He cosponsored the Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act in May 2025.3 It became law that September and limits credit report sharing after a mortgage inquiry, allowing certain offers of credit or insurance with consumer consent or an existing customer relationship.4
Burchett serves on the House Oversight, Foreign Affairs, and Transportation and Infrastructure committees.2 He also chairs the Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency in the current Congress.2 He advocates a ban on congressional stock trading and a constitutional requirement for a balanced federal budget.56 He faces Democrat Michaela Barnett and two independents.7
Record and controversies
False shooting identification and privacy lawsuit
In February 2024, Burchett falsely identified a Kansas man as a Kansas City parade shooter and an illegal immigrant; police had released the man without charges.8 The man brought a false light invasion of privacy claim, and the court's factual summary noted that Burchett had removed and retracted the post.9 On September 24, 2024, Judge John W. Broomes dismissed the case because the Kansas court lacked personal jurisdiction over Burchett, without deciding liability for the post.9 Burchett's office had declined comment on the litigation when it was first reported.8 A later public case outcome was not verified by October 28, 2026.9