David Kustoff

Current office and 2026 campaign

David Kustoff is a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives representing Tennessee's 8th Congressional District, a seat he has held since January 3, 2017 ¹. His current term concludes on January 3, 2027 ¹. In May 2026, Kustoff announced his candidacy for re-election to the U.S. House in Tennessee's 8th District ¹. He filed to run in the Republican primary scheduled for August 6, 2026, with the general election set for November 3, 2026 ². The filing deadline for this race was originally March 10, 2026, but was reopened to May 15, 2026, due to redistricting ².

As of May 2026, Kustoff has secured funding for his campaign, with reported total receipts exceeding $1.8 million ¹¹. He continues to serve in the 119th Congress, where he is assigned to the House Committee on Ways and Means ⁹. Recent legislative activity includes introducing the Small Business Tax Cut Act (H.R. 8415) to expand tax deductions for small businesses and farmers ⁶. Additionally, Kustoff has announced federal funding secured for West Tennessee projects through the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations package signed by President Trump ¹⁰. He also nominated students from the district for the 2026–2027 school year to U.S. military service academies ¹².

Background and education

David Frank Kustoff was born on October 8, 1966 ¹³. He was born and raised in Shelby County, Tennessee, and self-describes as a lifelong conservative with deep roots in West Tennessee ⁷¹⁸. He attended White Station High School in his hometown area ⁷.

Kustoff earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Memphis and graduated in 1992 from the university's Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, where he received a Juris Doctor ⁷¹³.

Career

David Kustoff was born and raised in Shelby County, Tennessee, and attended White Station High School ⁷. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Memphis and graduated from the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law in 1992 ⁷. In that same year, he opened a law firm in Memphis ⁷.

Kustoff served as the United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee from March 16, 2006, to May 16, 2008, appointed by President George W. Bush ¹³. In this role, he oversaw the prosecution of the Tennessee Waltz political corruption cases, which resulted in guilty pleas or convictions for 12 defendants, including former state Senator John Ford ¹⁴. He also advocated for the death penalty and worked to send criminals back to their countries of origin ¹⁷.

Prior to his federal appointment, Kustoff was active in Republican Party politics during the 1990s, serving as Chairman of the Shelby County GOP from 1995 to 1999 ¹. He also served as the Tennessee Chairman for Lamar Alexander’s successful 2002 U.S. Senate campaign and chaired the election campaigns for George W. Bush in 2000 and 2004 ¹.

Office history

David Kustoff served as the United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee from March 16, 2006, to May 16, 2008, after being appointed by President George W. Bush ¹³. In this role, he oversaw the prosecution of the Tennessee Waltz political corruption cases, which resulted in convictions for former state Senator John Ford and other defendants ¹⁴.

Kustoff was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for Tennessee's 8th Congressional District in 2016, assuming office on January 3, 2017 ¹. He won re-election in 2018, defeating Democrat Erika Stotts Pearson with 67.7% of the vote ⁵. He subsequently won re-election in 2020 ³, 2022 ⁴, and 2024, securing a fifth term by defeating Democrat Sarah Freeman ²⁰.

Kustoff is currently serving his fifth term in Congress, which ends on January 3, 2027 ¹. He has been sworn in for the 119th Congress as of January 3, 2025 ⁹. In this capacity, he serves on the House Committee on Ways and Means ²⁰ and is responsible for securing federal appropriations for projects in West Tennessee ¹⁰.

He has declared his candidacy for re-election to the U.S. House in the Republican primary scheduled for August 6, 2026 ¹. The general election for this seat is set for November 3, 2026 ².

Legislative record and accomplishments

Representing Tennessee’s 8th Congressional District since January 2017, Kustoff serves on the House Committee on Ways and Means ²⁰. In the 119th Congress, he continues his legislative work in this capacity ⁹. His policy priorities include maintaining law and order, supporting small businesses, and advocating for pro-life policies ¹⁷. He self-describes as a lifelong conservative who focuses on keeping communities safe and prosperous ¹⁸.

Kustoff has sponsored legislation aimed at tax relief for small entities. He introduced the Small Business Tax Cut Act (H.R. 8415), which seeks to lower taxes for millions of small businesses, farmers, and independent professionals by expanding the qualified business income deduction under Section 199A ⁶. The bill was cosponsored by Representatives Greg Steube, Claudia Tenney, Mike Carey, Carol Miller, Michelle Fischbach, and Blake Moore ⁸.

In terms of appropriations, Kustoff secured federal funding for 11 separate projects in West Tennessee included in the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations package signed by President Trump ¹⁰. He stated that these investments support critical projects throughout the district ¹⁰. Additionally, he annually nominates students from West Tennessee to U.S. service academies, including the Air Force, Coast Guard, Naval, Merchant Marine, and Military Academies ¹².

Kustoff’s legislative record is supported by endorsements from various groups. He has received support from the National Rifle Association, which cited his stance on crime, borders, military support, veterans' issues, and the Second Amendment ¹⁶. He also formed a law and order coalition featuring over 40 sheriffs, district attorneys, and police chiefs from West Tennessee ¹⁵. President Donald Trump endorsed Kustoff in 2018, describing him as a champion for the Trump Agenda ¹⁹.

Business interests and wealth source

David Kustoff’s professional background is rooted in law and politics rather than private industry wealth. He opened a law firm in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1992 after graduating from the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law ⁷. Prior to his election to Congress, he served as the United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee from 2006 to 2008, a role in which he oversaw the prosecution of the Tennessee Waltz political corruption cases ¹⁴. His early career also included significant political work, such as chairing the election campaigns for George W. Bush in 2000 and 2004, and serving as Tennessee Chairman for Lamar Alexander’s 2002 Senate run ¹.

Kustoff does not report significant personal wealth derived from business ownership or sales of private enterprises in his public financial disclosures. His campaign finance data indicates that his fundraising relies heavily on individual contributions and transfers from other authorized committees rather than substantial self-funding; for instance, records show $865,444.67 in total individual contributions and $80,000.00 in transfers from other authorized committees, with zero reported candidate contributions to his own campaign ¹¹. This financial profile aligns with his self-description as a "lifelong conservative" whose roots are in West Tennessee, rather than a figure of significant private business fortune ¹⁸.

Family

David Kustoff is married to Roberta Kustoff¹³. The couple has two children¹³.

Sources