Blair Walsingham

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Blair Walsingham

Democratic Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 3, 2020

Military

Service / branch

U.S. Air Force

Personal

Birthplace

Fort Worth, Texas

Profession

Small business owner

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

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Campaign YouTube

Personal Facebook

Personal Instagram

Blair Walsingham (Democratic Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent Tennessee's 1st Congressional District. She lost in the general election on November 3, 2020.

Walsingham completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Blair Walsingham was born in Fort Worth, Texas. Walsingham served in the United States Air Force. She attended ITT Technical Institute and Pensacola State College. Walsingham's career experience includes working as a small business owner, as a certified and sponsored dog trainer, and as a certified long-term professional dog groomer.

Elections

2020

See also: Tennessee's 1st Congressional District election, 2020

Tennessee's 1st Congressional District election, 2020 (August 6 Republican primary)

Tennessee's 1st Congressional District election, 2020 (August 6 Democratic primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House Tennessee District 1

Diana Harshbarger defeated Blair Walsingham, Steve Holder, and Josh Berger in the general election for U.S. House Tennessee District 1 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Diana Harshbarger (R)	74.7	228,181
		Blair Walsingham (D)	22.5	68,617
		Steve Holder (Independent)	2.8	8,621
	Submit photo	Josh Berger (Independent) (Write-in)	0.0	4

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 305,423
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Tennessee District 1

Blair Walsingham defeated Chris Rowe (Unofficially withdrew) and Larry Smith (Unofficially withdrew) in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Tennessee District 1 on August 6, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Blair Walsingham	52.7	6,076
		Chris Rowe (Unofficially withdrew)	33.6	3,869
	Submit photo	Larry Smith (Unofficially withdrew)	13.6	1,572
		Other/Write-in votes	0.0	3

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 11,520
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Tennessee District 1

The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for U.S. House Tennessee District 1 on August 6, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Diana Harshbarger	19.2	18,074
		Timothy Hill	16.7	15,731
		Rusty Crowe	16.1	15,179
		Josh Gapp	14.2	13,379
	Submit photo	Steve Darden	12.4	11,647
		John Clark	9.4	8,826
		David Hawk	5.0	4,717
		Nichole Williams	3.0	2,803
		Jay Adkins	1.7	1,635
	Submit photo	Carter Quillen	0.9	853
	Submit photo	Richard Baker	0.3	298
		Chad Fleenor (Unofficially withdrew)	0.3	282
		Phil Arlinghaus	0.3	274
	Submit photo	Robert Franklin	0.2	229
	Submit photo	Chuck Miller	0.2	189
		Chance Cansler	0.2	147

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 94,263
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Cody Williams (R)
• Dan Street (R)
• J. S. Moore (R)
• Todd McKinley (R)
• Dustin Decal (R)

Endorsements

To view Walsingham's endorsements in the 2020 election, please click here.

Campaign themes

2020

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Blair Walsingham completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Walsingham's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am committed to putting people before politics. Endorsed by key community and national organizations, including Humanity First Party, Black Coffee Justice, and Income Movement, I am an Air Force veteran, outdoorswoman, small business owner and mother who has been named a Gun Sense Candidate by Moms Demand Action. My campaign is laser-focused on helping the 1st District survive today and thrive tomorrow through policies built on compassion, personal freedom and common-sense data driven solutions.

I walk the walk. I value our traditions, our rights, and contend that true leaders seek to build coalitions of compassion, not walls of divisiveness.

In order to balance the effects of big money in politics I am committed to lifting every American out of the despair that arises when faced with economic insecurity. I look forward to the day when the American dream is not just a dream, but a reality made possible by a Universal Basic Income paid to every citizen as a dividend of the wealth generated by the labor of our ancestors, incredible gains in technology and automation, and the buying and selling of our personal data by private companies.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• I am running for office because poverty is crippling our communities across Tennessee. I've met too many people and families not only without internet access, but often no running water or even electricity. This is unacceptable in America.

• Healthcare is a fundamental human right and we should not tie the health of Americans to their ability to work in traditional employment.

• We must bring affordable, high speed broadband Internet to rural areas in my district to increase educational, business, and telemedicine opportunities as well as emergency services for those communities.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Universal Basic Income (UBI)

Despite living in the richest country in the history of the world, millions of Americans still can't cover their basic needs. I will work to establish a Universal Basic Income to be paid out to every American adult. This money will not only lift tens of millions out of poverty, but will also increase economic dynamism and allow for the creation of more small businesses. More money in people's pockets will free Americans to invest in themselves through education and entrepreneurship, improve mental health, and reduce crime and abortion.

Universal Access to Healthcare
Healthcare is a human right. Healthier, happier people create a healthier, happier society. I will support legislation that empowers all Americans to access healthcare, including treatment of mental and emotional challenges. I will support legislation that helps rural hospitals stay alive so medical services are within reach of all. I will advocate for increased telemedicine so non-urgent medical concerns can be tended to in an accessible and affordable manner.

High Speed Internet in Rural Areas

As the internet becomes an increasingly essential part of entrepreneurship, agriculture, education, health care and emergency services, we must consider broadband as a utility, not a luxury. The lack of a quality internet connection limits rural Americans' access to critical services. I will work in congress to create access to federal funds to expand broadband in rural communities.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Dolly Parton is a person who I look up to. She is a self-made successful businesswoman, stands up for the people, paid for families to rebuild after deadly fires in Gatlinburg TN, and provides books monthly to all children up to age 5 in Tennessee to help further literacy.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

The War on Normal People by Andrew Yang

What You Should Know About Politics . . . But Don't: A Non-Partisan Guide to the Issues That Matter by Jessamyn Conrad

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Accountability

Transparency
Compassion

Integrity

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I care deeply about my family, my friends, and my community. I work hard, I'm a skilled multitasker, and I am a quick study. In this office I must look out for my constituents, I must work at a fast pace on multiple priorities, and I must learn quickly to make the most of my 2-year term.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

The most critical responsibilities are to understand the needs of my constituents, put them in context with the needs of the country overall and the greater good, and represent those interests in legislation that I author, co-sponsor, or support.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Saving lives. When the world was struggling I did not stand idly by, I stood up for what's right and inspired future generations. Positive role model for all children, especially my own, and for women.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

While not a typical "historical event," my earliest memories are of my Dad being deployed and how excited I was when he would come home. He always brought trinkets and coins from other countries to share with me, and taught me about the places he had been. When he wasn't deployed, we would always play video games on our Nintendo 64 and Sega systems, and work on cars together.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I've always worked hard. I got my first job as a veterinary technician at 14, and graduated a year early as Salutatorian of my class. I'm an animal lover who considered being a veterinarian, but instead chose to be a military vet, following in my family's footsteps. At age 17 my Dad signed the waiver so that I could enlist in the United States Air Force.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy By Douglas Adams.

The parallels in the book not only reflect current politics and the resentment of bureaucracy, but do so with great British humor.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

I can relate to Katniss Everdeen, the main character and narrator of The Hunger Games. Katniss comes from a working-class community, ravaged by hunger. She cares deeply about her neighbors and regularly leverages her excellent hunting, archery, gathering, and trapping skills to bring food to her community. Katniss shares many talents with her father, and though living in very difficult circumstances, provides for her family, and is even willing to sacrifice her own life to save the lives of others whom she loves.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

All You Need Is Love by the Beatles

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Becoming a new parent is a challenging adjustment for many people and even more so when you have to do it alone. When I became a young single mother of my two, I found out once again how tough the world can really be. Having to work multiple jobs to provide, balancing military travels, being diagnosed with early stages of cervical cancer and juggling being a new parent was a big struggle in my life. While it was immensely hard it taught me many valuable lessons such as appreciation for community, family, and social structures, how to budget, and most importantly that even in the toughest of times we will prevail, and become stronger. I consider these hardships lessons well learned. Character can only be built through experience, and my experiences shaped my perspective to value understanding, inclusivity and compassion.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

It is all too common that our elected officials serve in various offices for decades, which effectively creates a disconnect between them and the real lives and concerns of their constituents. I believe that life experience, listening skills, and relationship skills are the key requirements to be a successful representative of the people.

What do you perceive to be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

With rampant corruption and special interests spread throughout a dated system, I believe our greatest challenge will be adapting to changes in technology and our economy. Our current system is leaving tens of millions of Americans behind. This is not sustainable. We will need to redefine what we value in this country and structure our government to be adaptive and responsive to the needs of the people it represents.

If you are not a current representative, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

Natural Resources

Climate Crisis Committee

Energy & Commerce

What are your thoughts on term limits?

Term limits are an essential tool in ensuring that our legislative body reflects the transformation and diversity of our population. Experience is good, but so too is the infusion of new voices and new ideas. I will advocate for 12 year term limits in Congress and 18 year term limits for Supreme Court Justices.

Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

I was driving home from a campaign meeting and it was cold. 18 degrees cold and very dark on the back roads I travel to get home. Along my way, I came across some teenagers who had run out of gas. I stopped to check on them. They were home-schooled, and lived with their grandmother. I offered them a ride, but they asked to use my phone to call their Mawmaw instead. She reluctantly agreed to come get them. I continued toward home, and about 15 min later their grandmother called me back and explained that she couldn't come get her grandsons because they took the last of their money to the store and her gas tank was nearly empty. I went back, picked them up, and took them to get gas. This story underscores why Universal Basic Income is so important. Mamaw wasn't going to get a "good job" and those teens weren't either. We need to recognize that people are valuable for their own humanity and also demonstrate a little humanity ourselves.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

See also

2020 Elections

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Government

Who represents me? U.S. Congress State executives State legislators State courts Ballot measures Municipal government School boards

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External links

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Footnotes

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Tennessee's current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

Marsha Blackburn (R)

Bill Hagerty (R)

Representatives

District 1

Diana Harshbarger (R)

District 2

Tim Burchett (R)

District 3

Charles Fleischmann (R)

District 4

Scott DesJarlais (R)

District 5

Andy Ogles (R)

District 6

John Rose (R)

District 7

Vacant

District 8

David Kustoff (R)

District 9

Steve Cohen (D)

Republican Party (9)

Democratic Party (1)

Vacancies (1)