←All People
Adam Kurtz
Current office and 2026 campaign
Adam Kurtz, a Democratic Party candidate also known as "Ditch," is running for Governor of Tennessee in the 2026 election 1. The race is an open-seat contest following the term limitation of incumbent Republican Bill Lee, with the general election scheduled for November 3, 2026 4. Kurtz appears on the ballot for the Democratic primary, which is set to take place on August 6, 2026 1.
Kurtz self-describes as a musician and states that he is running to bring "fresh energy" to Tennessee politics by challenging the entrenched political establishment in Nashville 3. He emphasizes a platform focused on affordable, empathetic, and community-first governance, aiming to improve the quality of life for all Tennesseans through access to education, healthcare, and economic dignity 3. Kurtz lives in Nashville with his dog Zebulon and plays pedal steel guitar and six-string guitar in bands across the country and the world 2.
The 2026 gubernatorial field includes candidates from Republican, Democratic, and Independent backgrounds 4. Political analysis suggests that the Democratic primary is fragmented, with other contenders such as Jerri Green holding significant support in prediction markets 5. The broader race is viewed as a test of whether Tennessee Democrats are prepared to compete effectively against the state's Republican majority 6.
Background and education
Adam Kurtz, who is known by the nickname "Ditch," self-describes as a working musician and states that he lives in Nashville with his dog Zebulon 2. He has earned a respected place in Nashville’s music scene as a skilled pedal steel and six-string guitarist, collaborating with various artists and performing in bands around the country and the world 3.
The provided sources do not contain specific information regarding Kurtz's birthplace, year of birth, upbringing, religion, or formal educational background, including schools attended or degrees earned.
Career
Before entering electoral politics, Adam Kurtz established a career as a professional musician in Nashville, Tennessee 2. He performs as a pedal steel and six-string guitarist, playing with bands across the United States and internationally 2. His musical repertoire includes work with artists such as Joshua Ray Walker, Sunny Sweeney, and Silverada 10. Kurtz has also released his own music under the name Adam Kurtz, including albums titled Storms Of Steel, M-I-LL-E-R Lite, and Hi, Society 78.
Kurtz self-describes as a "musician on a mission" who lives in Nashville with his dog, Zebulon 2. He has utilized his musical platform for political fundraising, hosting events such as a "FUNraiser" at Vinyl Tap in Nashville 9. In 2026, he announced his candidacy for Governor of Tennessee, positioning himself as a Democrat seeking to challenge the state's entrenched political establishment 10.
Office history
Adam Kurtz has held no prior elected or appointed public office 1. He is a musician who self-describes as being on a mission to take back Tennessee for those seeking a government with humanity and compassion 2. Kurtz states that he brings fresh energy to Tennessee politics by blending his roots as a working musician with a belief in affordable, empathetic, and community-first governance 3.
Kurtz is running for election as Governor of Tennessee in the 2026 cycle 1. The 2026 Tennessee gubernatorial election is an open-seat contest scheduled for November 3, 2026, with primaries occurring on August 6, 2026 4. Kurtz is on the ballot in the Democratic primary on August 6, 2026 1. As of May 11, 2026, the outcome of this election is unknown 1.
Business interests and wealth source
Adam Kurtz self-describes his professional background as that of a working musician rather than a business executive or entrepreneur 2. He states that he plays pedal steel guitar and six-string guitar in bands across the country and internationally, noting that he earns his living through this musical career 23. His campaign materials emphasize his roots in Nashville’s music scene as a skilled guitarist who has collaborated with various artists, rather than detailing corporate ownership or commercial business ventures 3.
Publicly available biographical summaries do not identify specific family wealth sources, significant personal financial disclosures, or ownership stakes in major commercial enterprises for Kurtz 1. Instead, his political identity is framed around his career as a musician and his platform focused on affordable, empathetic governance 3. There are no reported sales of businesses or large-scale commercial transactions associated with his background in the provided records.
Family
Adam Kurtz self-describes as a musician who resides in Nashville with his dog Zebulon 2. He does not publicly list a spouse or children in available biographical materials 3.