Brian Hornback

Current office and 2026 campaign

Brian Hornback is a Republican candidate for Tennessee State Executive Committeeman in District 6 ¹. He qualified for the ballot by meeting the March 10, 2026, deadline established by the Tennessee Secretary of State ¹. Hornback has previously served as Knox County GOP chair and maintains an online presence through his blog "Shock and Awe" and a podcast titled The Brian HORNBACK Experience ³⁷.

Background and education

Brian Hornback self-describes as a lifelong resident of Tennessee who was raised in the Knoxville area ². He identifies as an active member of First Baptist Church in Concord, Farragut, and also served as an ordained Deacon and Elder at Eastminster Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, while holding certification as a Lay Speaker for the United Methodist Church ².

Hornback earned his Eagle Scout rank with Troop 538 at St. Paul East United Methodist Church in 1984 ². Specific details regarding his formal schooling or university degrees are not provided in the available sources, though he notes a professional career spanning 40 years in sales and financial services ².

Career

Brian Hornback self-describes as a professional with 40 years of experience in sales, including tenure with five food companies and 26.5 years with a global food company ². He also spent 22 years working as a Senior Representative with Primerica Financial Services ².

Hornback is the owner and operator of the blog "Shock and Awe" (also known as Brian's Blog) ³⁶. He launched a podcast titled "the Brian HORNBACK Experience," which he has hosted since 2020 ⁷. In 2013, Hornback was involved in a libel lawsuit filed by former Knox County GOP chair Ruthie Kuhlman, which was subsequently dismissed by a judge ³.

Office history

Brian Hornback served as a Knox County Republican Party chair ³. He also held a position on the Knox County school board ³. Hornback is currently running for Tennessee State Executive Committeeman District 6 in the 2026 Republican Primary ¹.

Documented disputes and controversies

In October 2013, former Knox County GOP chair Ruthie Kuhlman filed a $100,000 libel lawsuit against Hornback, accusing him of posting six false statements attributed to her with malice ³. The suit alleged that Hornback’s blog, "Shock and Awe," suggested Kuhlman verbally attacked a Young Republican, among other claims ³. A judge subsequently dismissed the lawsuit ³.

Hornback has engaged in public disputes with various political figures through his blog and social media channels. He has criticized State Senator Becky Duncan Massey on his podcast, "the Brian HORNBACK Experience," particularly regarding her legislative record and primary campaign efforts in 2024 ⁴. Hornback also maintains a platform known as "The Mega Bullhorn of Truth" where he discusses political issues and figures ².

Hornback has been involved in local political controversies, including disputes over the appointment of the Knoxville City Council Attorney in 2012, where he commented on the qualifications of applicants such as W. Mitchell Cramer ⁵. He has also been active in Knox County Republican Party affairs, having served as a former local chair and running for State Executive Committeeman District 6 ¹³.

Business interests and wealth source

Brian Hornback self-describes as having spent 40 years working as a sales representative for five food companies, including 26.5 years with a global food company and 22 years as a Senior Representative with Primerica Financial Services ². He also identifies himself as the owner of the blog "Shock and Awe" ³.

Hornback has been involved in legal disputes regarding his business activities, including a libel lawsuit filed against him by former Knox County GOP chair Ruthie Kuhlman in October 2013, which was later dismissed by a judge ³. He has also operated a podcast titled "the Brian HORNBACK Experience," which ran from 2020 to 2024 and featured 181 episodes ⁷.

Specific details regarding his current business ownership stakes, family wealth sources, or significant financial disclosures are not provided in the available records.

Family

Hornback self-describes as having been married to his wife for 38 years ². He states that he has three children: a son who is 35 years old, a daughter who is 31 years old, and another son who is 30 years old ².

Sources