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Tennessee's 6th Congressional District election, 2026
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| Tennessee's 6th Congressional District |
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| General election |
| Election details |
| Filing deadline: March 10, 2026 |
| Primary: August 6, 2026 General: November 3, 2026 |
| How to vote |
| Poll times:
Varies by county |
| Race ratings |
DDHQ and The Hill: Pending Inside Elections: Solid Republican Sabato's Crystal Ball: Safe Republican |
| Ballotpedia analysis |
| U.S. Senate battlegrounds U.S. House battlegrounds Federal and state primary competitiveness Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2026 |
| See also |
U.S. Senate • 1st • 2nd • 3rd • 4th • 5th • 6th • 7th • 8th • 9th Tennessee elections, 2026 U.S. Congress elections, 2026 U.S. Senate elections, 2026 U.S. House elections, 2026 |
All U.S. House districts, including the 6th Congressional District of Tennessee, are holding elections in 2026. The general election is November 3, 2026. To learn more about other elections on the ballot, click here.
Candidates and election results
Note: The following list includes official candidates only. Ballotpedia defines official candidates as people who:
- Register with a federal or state campaign finance agency before the candidate filing deadline
- Appear on candidate lists released by government election agencies
General election
The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.
General election for U.S. House Tennessee District 6
The following candidates are running in the general election for U.S. House Tennessee District 6 on November 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
| Craig Ballin (D) | ||
| Lore Bergman (D) | ||
Mike Croley (D) ![]() | ||
| Dale Braden (R) | ||
| Brad Gaines (R) | ||
| Johnny Garrett (R) | ||
| William Hilleary (R) | ||
| Joe Reid (R) | ||
Christopher Monday (Independent) ![]() | ||
= 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. | ||||
Candidate profiles
This section includes candidate profiles that may be created in one of two ways: either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, or Ballotpedia staff may compile a profile based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements after identifying the candidate as noteworthy. For more on how we select candidates to include, click here.
Party: Democratic Party
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Submitted Biography: "I’m Mike Croley; Navy veteran, former federal employee, environmental engineer, and lifelong problem-solver. I’ve spent my life serving this country, from serving as a Naval officer to managing public safety programs for the Federal Government. Most recently, I worked as a Presidential Management Fellow at NOAA, where I helped lead climate resilience efforts and supported community-centered science. Then, with the stroke of a pen, the program was shut down. My colleagues and I were left without a path forward; not because we failed, but because we refused to play political games. I’m running for Congress in Tennessee’s 6th District because I’ve seen what happens when no one stands up for working people. I’ve seen the cost of silence. And I’ve had enough. If they won’t fight for us, I will. I don’t believe power should only flow through two parties. I believe it should flow through people who care. I’m not here to sell you a party line. I’m here to talk about clean water, fair wages, better schools, and protecting the places we love. I was raised in these hills, raised by the values of grit, integrity, and looking out for your neighbor. That’s what drives me. Not money, not lobbyists, and not ego. I’m not running to build a career. I’m running to rebuild trust in government and remind folks in TN-6 that this is our seat, not theirs. The federal government has spent the last 18 months training me to be a leader. Please, TN6, put me to work!"
Party: Independent
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Submitted Biography: "I was born in Charleston SC, on the Naval base. I have Cerebral Palsy (CP) but that didn’t stop me from graduating high school with honors. I know how to work hard and will always work to defend liberty for all, especially for those who are often overlooked by the rest."
Voting information
- See also: Voting in Tennessee
Ballotpedia will publish the dates and deadlines related to this election as they are made available.
Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses
Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
Survey responses from candidates in this race
Click on a candidate's name to visit their Ballotpedia page.
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.
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Mike Croley (D)
My campaign is grounded in common sense and service: protect our environment, legalize marijuana, pay teachers what they’re worth, and stop selling out rural Tennesseans for short-term profit. I’ll fight for fair wages, access to healthcare, and real investment in rural infrastructure, not performative culture wars.
I’m building a grassroots movement. Not for power, but for people. This campaign is powered by volunteers, small-dollar donors, and folks who believe in truth, transparency, and accountability. I’m not running to come close. I’m running to win, and to give TN-6 a representative who actually works for them. The federal government has invested heavily in training me to be a leader in government. I have worked across many departments and agencies including the Department of State, the National Ocean Service, and the United States Department of Agriculture.
Christopher Monday (Independent)
Work to reduce spending in the current areas while making sure that it doesn’t harm fellow Americans. That means reducing foreign aid and cut unnecessary spending on bogus projects that has no impact on American citizens. For example building bridges and gas stations in remote areas of foreign countries just for the projects to be abandoned.
Work on immigration, the current system is broken. I want a system that would encourage immigrants to come here legally. The reason many come here illegally is because it’s actually easier to cross illegally than it is to obtain legal citizenship. I don’t have the perfect solution but it shouldn’t be as difficult to become a citizen of the United States.
Mike Croley (D)
I have family members working in education, I see the daily struggle of teachers and underfunded schools. I’m a disabled veteran who’s navigated the VA system and knows we can do better. I support legalizing marijuana and taxing it substantially to support economic growth. We are farmers in Tennessee and the soil is ripe for change.
I want to capitalize on our region's natural beauty by promoting ecotourism that supports local jobs and protects the land.Christopher Monday (Independent)
Mike Croley (D)
He’s been consistent for decades, fighting for working people, calling out corporate greed, and never backing down from a tough truth.
He speaks plainly, leads with conviction, and puts people over politics. That’s what I admire most. He’s not perfect, but he’s honest, and you always know where he stands. That’s the kind of representative I want to be, clear, committed, and unshakably on the side of the people.Mike Croley (D)
Christopher Monday (Independent)
Mike Croley (D)
I believe you need to have backbone. You should be able to say the hard things, even when it’s uncomfortable. If you’re scared to speak up, you’re in the wrong line of work. Leaders should also know how to shut up and listen. Not every problem needs a speech. Sometimes people just need to know their concerns are being heard and taken seriously.
You don’t run for office to impress people. You run to serve them. That means showing up in your district, being available, and not making folks jump through hoops to get help. It means putting your ego in check, knowing you're not the smartest one in the room, and being willing to learn.
And above all, you need to remember who you work for. Not big donors. Not party insiders. The people. The folks back home. If you forget that, you’ve lost the path.Christopher Monday (Independent)
Mike Croley (D)
Christopher Monday (Independent)
Mike Croley (D)
Second, it’s about solving problems, not scoring political points. We need more public servants, fewer performers. That means doing the work: crafting good legislation, building coalitions, and knowing when to fight and when to negotiate. You don’t have to agree with someone to work with them.
Accountability matters. If I screw up, I’ll own it. If something’s not working, I’ll say so. Too many politicians pretend everything’s fine when it’s clearly not. That’s not leadership. That’s cowardice.
Lastly, an elected official should protect the Constitution and defend democracy, even when it’s not politically convenient. If you’re not willing to stand up for the process, the rights of voters, and the basic rules of the game, you don’t belong in office.
My job is to be the voice of Tennessee’s 6th District, not the voice of a party or a donor class. I work for the people. Period.Christopher Monday (Independent)
Mike Croley (D)
I would hope that folks would say, “Mike listened, he showed up, and he never forgot where he came from and who he worked for,” then I’ll know I did my part.
I’m not chasing titles or attention I’m here to make real, lasting change that outlives me.Christopher Monday (Independent)
Mike Croley (D)
Mike Croley (D)
Christopher Monday (Independent)
Mike Croley (D)
Christopher Monday (Independent)
Mike Croley (D)
The last song that got stuck in my head was “Creep” by Radiohead. It wasn’t random, in that it hit during a five-day meditation retreat. Total silence. No phones, no distractions. Just me, my breath, and somewhere around day three… “I’m a creep... I’m a weirdo...”
At first I was annoyed and couldn't understand why it was so persistent. But then I gave it my attention. That song captured something I think a lot of people feel, like they don’t quite fit. Like the world wasn’t made with them in mind. And it made me think of all the folks who’ve been pushed to the margins or told they don’t belong. That’s who I want to fight for.
So yeah, “Creep” stuck with me, because it reminded me why I’m doing this.
"Whatever makes you happy..."Mike Croley (D)
I joined the military to serve, became a park ranger to protect, worked in federal government to improve lives and in each role, I’ve seen firsthand how bureaucracy, politics, or apathy can get in the way of real progress.
It’s frustrating. But it’s also what drives me.
I didn’t walk away. I stepped up.
Now, I’m running for Congress because I know we can do better and I’m done waiting for someone else to fix it. I'm tired of asking for change. We are the change.Christopher Monday (Independent)
Mike Croley (D)
Mike Croley (D)
The red tape, the committees, the procedures, all of it can slow things down or trip you up if you’re not prepared. Having walked those halls, worked in government, or served in public roles helps you navigate the system more effectively.
That’s why I believe a blend is best: real-world experience paired with a fresh mindset. You’ve got to know how the machine works if you want to fix it.Christopher Monday (Independent)
Mike Croley (D)
Climate change is accelerating and threatening our food, water, and energy security. Meanwhile, corporations and billionaires have bought influence while working people can’t afford healthcare, housing, or higher education.
Our politics have become tribal theater instead of problem-solving. We’re more divided than ever, and that division is being fueled by lies, bad actors, and unchecked algorithms. If we don’t find common ground and put truth and service ahead of power and profit, we’re in for a rough decade. But I believe we can rise to it. We have overcome difficult times before. I know that we can do it again.Christopher Monday (Independent)
Mike Croley (D)
At some point, it stops being about the people and starts being about power. You’ve got members of Congress missing votes, stalling progress, and clinging to influence they no longer use for good.
It’s ego. The job isn’t supposed to be a lifetime achievement award, it’s supposed to be about showing up and getting things done. If you’re not doing that, it’s time to step aside and let someone else take the reigns.Christopher Monday (Independent)
Mike Croley (D)
Christopher Monday (Independent)
Mike Croley (D)
Mike Croley (D)
Mike Croley (D)
Mike Croley (D)
Christopher Monday (Independent)
Mike Croley (D)
Christopher Monday (Independent)
Mike Croley (D)
I support independent audits, real-time public spending dashboards, and strict penalties for misusing funds. No more black boxes or bloated budgets tucked into bills no one reads. Government should be held to the same standards we hold our families to, don’t spend what you don’t have, and don’t lie about where it went.
Transparency builds trust, and trust is the foundation of democracy. Without it, we’re running blind.
You can ask candidates in this race to fill out the survey by clicking their names below:
Campaign finance
| Name | Party | Receipts* | Disbursements** | Cash on hand | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Craig Ballin | Democratic Party | $0 | $0 | $0 | Data not available*** |
| Lore Bergman | Democratic Party | $0 | $0 | $0 | Data not available*** |
| Mike Croley | Democratic Party | $0 | $0 | $0 | Data not available*** |
| Lloyd Dunn | Democratic Party | $0 | $0 | $0 | Data not available*** |
| Dale Braden | Republican Party | $235 | $1,853 | $-1,618 | As of September 30, 2025 |
| Brad Gaines | Republican Party | $3,525 | $1 | $3,524 | As of September 30, 2025 |
| Johnny Garrett | Republican Party | $728,807 | $20,902 | $707,905 | As of September 30, 2025 |
| William Hilleary | Republican Party | $615,809 | $42,285 | $573,524 | As of September 30, 2025 |
| Joe Reid | Republican Party | $0 | $0 | $0 | Data not available*** |
| Christopher Monday | Independent | $0 | $0 | $0 | Data not available*** |
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Source: Federal Elections Commission, "Campaign finance data," 2026. This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* According to the FEC, "Receipts are anything of value (money, goods, services or property) received by a political committee." |
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General election race ratings
- See also: Race rating definitions and methods
Ballotpedia provides race ratings from four outlets: The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, Sabato's Crystal Ball, and DDHQ/The Hill. Each race rating indicates if one party is perceived to have an advantage in the race and, if so, the degree of advantage:
- Safe and Solid ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge and the race is not competitive.
- Likely ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge, but an upset is possible.
- Lean ratings indicate that one party has a small edge, but the race is competitive.[1]
- Toss-up ratings indicate that neither party has an advantage.
Race ratings are informed by a number of factors, including polling, candidate quality, and election result history in the race's district or state.[2][3][4]
| Race ratings: Tennessee's 6th Congressional District election, 2026 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Race tracker | Race ratings | ||||||||
| 10/21/2025 | 10/14/2025 | 10/7/2025 | 9/30/2025 | ||||||
| The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter | Solid Republican | Solid Republican | Solid Republican | Solid Republican | |||||
| Decision Desk HQ and The Hill | Pending | Pending | Pending | Pending | |||||
| Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales | Solid Republican | Solid Republican | Solid Republican | Solid Republican | |||||
| Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball | Safe Republican | Safe Republican | Safe Republican | Safe Republican | |||||
| Note: Ballotpedia reviews external race ratings every week throughout the election season and posts weekly updates even if the media outlets have not revised their ratings during that week. | |||||||||
Ballot access
This section will contain information on ballot access related to this state's elections when it is available.
District history
The section below details election results for this office in elections dating back to 2020.
2024
See also: Tennessee's 6th Congressional District election, 2024
Tennessee's 6th Congressional District election, 2024 (August 1 Democratic primary)
Tennessee's 6th Congressional District election, 2024 (August 1 Republican primary)
General election
General election for U.S. House Tennessee District 6
Incumbent John Rose defeated Lore Bergman in the general election for U.S. House Tennessee District 6 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | John Rose (R) | 68.0 | 225,543 | |
Lore Bergman (D) ![]() | 32.0 | 106,144 | ||
| Total votes: 331,687 | ||||
= 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. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Tennessee District 6
Lore Bergman defeated Clay Faircloth and Cyril Focht in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Tennessee District 6 on August 1, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Lore Bergman ![]() | 42.2 | 8,684 | |
Clay Faircloth ![]() | 36.3 | 7,474 | ||
Cyril Focht ![]() | 21.5 | 4,422 | ||
| Total votes: 20,580 | ||||
= 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
- John Kennedy (D)
Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Tennessee District 6
Incumbent John Rose advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Tennessee District 6 on August 1, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | John Rose | 100.0 | 38,607 | |
| Total votes: 38,607 | ||||
= 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
- Joe Reid (R)
2022
General election
General election for U.S. House Tennessee District 6
Incumbent John Rose defeated Randal Cooper in the general election for U.S. House Tennessee District 6 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | John Rose (R) | 66.3 | 129,388 | |
Randal Cooper (D) ![]() | 33.7 | 65,675 | ||
| Total votes: 195,063 | ||||
= 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. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Tennessee District 6
Randal Cooper defeated Clay Faircloth in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Tennessee District 6 on August 4, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Randal Cooper ![]() | 74.7 | 17,332 | |
Clay Faircloth ![]() | 25.3 | 5,870 | ||
| Total votes: 23,202 | ||||
= 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
- Lloyd Dunn (D)
Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Tennessee District 6
Incumbent John Rose advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Tennessee District 6 on August 4, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | John Rose | 100.0 | 57,162 | |
| Total votes: 57,162 | ||||
= 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. | ||||
2020
General election
General election for U.S. House Tennessee District 6
Incumbent John Rose defeated Christopher Finley and Christopher Monday in the general election for U.S. House Tennessee District 6 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | John Rose (R) | 73.7 | 257,572 | |
| Christopher Finley (D) | 24.0 | 83,852 | ||
| Christopher Monday (Independent) | 2.3 | 8,154 | ||
| Total votes: 349,578 | ||||
= 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. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Tennessee District 6
Christopher Finley advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Tennessee District 6 on August 6, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Christopher Finley | 100.0 | 21,375 | |
| Total votes: 21,375 | ||||
= 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
- Steven Hubbard (D)
Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Tennessee District 6
Incumbent John Rose advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Tennessee District 6 on August 6, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | John Rose | 100.0 | 78,340 | |
| Total votes: 78,340 | ||||
= 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. | ||||
District analysis
This section will contain facts and figures related to this district's elections when those are available.
See also
| Tennessee | 2026 primaries | 2026 U.S. Congress elections |
|---|---|---|
|
Voting in Tennessee Tennessee elections: 2026 • 2025 • 2024 • 2023 • 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 |
Republican primary battlegrounds U.S. Senate Democratic primaries U.S. Senate Republican primaries U.S. House Democratic primaries U.S. House Republican primaries |
U.S. Senate elections U.S. House elections Special elections Ballot access |
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Inside Elections also uses Tilt ratings to indicate an even smaller advantage and greater competitiveness.
- ↑ Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Nathan Gonzalez," April 19, 2018
- ↑ Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Kyle Kondik," April 19, 2018
- ↑ Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Charlie Cook," April 22, 2018
