{"biography":"Adam \"Ditch\" Kurtz is a Democratic candidate running for Governor of Tennessee in the August 6, 2026 primary [1]. He resides in Nashville and identifies professionally as a musician [14]. Kurtz holds a degree in political science [7]. Originally from the Boston area, he has lived in Nashville for over a decade, where he has established himself in the country and Americana music scenes [7], [16]. He plays pedal steel and six-string guitar, performing with artists such as Joshua Ray Walker, Sunny Sweeney, Silverada, JP Harris, Chris Shiflett, American Aquarium, and Sarah Shook, as well as his own Buck Owens tribute band, Buck N Stuff [7], [14], [16]. He also maintains a public profile as the host of \"The Wingdom Review,\" a podcast focused on hot wings [9].\n\nKurtz announced his candidacy on May 15, 2025, at The 5 Spot in East Nashville [19]. His campaign platform centers on economic relief and social services, including lowering costs through affordable healthcare, free pre-K childcare, eliminating the grocery tax, and raising the minimum wage [14]. He advocates for protecting the LGBTQ community, respecting immigrant neighbors, and investing in public schools [14]. Kurtz describes his approach as \"grassroots,\" stating he will not accept corporate money and relies on small donors [14], [16]. He characterizes himself as an outsider to the political establishment, coining the phrase \"I'm a people\" to emphasize that government should serve everyday Tennesseans rather than insiders [14], [16].\n\nKurtz is one of five candidates in the Democratic primary, which also includes Carnita Atwater, Tim Cyr, Jerri Green, and Kevin Lee McCants [1]. He has not completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey [1]. His campaign utilizes social media and digital platforms, including a Substack newsletter, to communicate with voters [26].\n\n## Sources\n\n[1] [Adam Kurtz (Tennessee) - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Adam_Kurtz_(Tennessee))\n[7] [Issue #106: Meet the Pedal Steel Player Running for Governor of Tennessee](https://www.dontrocktheinbox.com/issue-106-meet-the-pedal-steel-player/)\n[9] [Adam Ditch Kurtz Runs for Tennessee Governor 2026](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQpK1A1kVbD/)\n[14] [Adam \"Ditch\" Kurtz for Governor](https://www.ditch4governor.com/)\n[16] [About \u2014 Adam \"Ditch\" Kurtz for Governor](https://www.ditch4governor.com/about)\n[18] [Digital Politics with Karen Jagoda: Musician Turned Politician Leveraging Social Media Experience to Run for Tennessee Governor with Adam Ditch Kurtz](https://digitalpoliticsradio.com/musician-turned-politician-leveraging-social-media-experience-to-run-for-tennessee-governor-with-adam-ditch-kurtz)\n[19] [Out With Bill Lee, Please: Adam \"Ditch\" Kurtz Announces Run For Tennessee Governor With Event At The 5 Spot - Music Mecca](https://musicmecca.org/out-with-bill-lee-please-adam-ditch-kurtz-announces-run-for-tennessee-governor-with-event-at-the-5-spot/)\n[24] [Can a Nashville Musician Become Tennessee\u2019s Next Governor? - City Cast Nashville](https://nashville.citycast.fm/podcasts/can-a-nashville-musician-become-tennessees-next-governor)\n[26] [I am Running for Governor of Tennessee so You Don't Have To](https://adamditchkurtz.substack.com/p/i-am-running-for-governor-of-tennessee)\n[38] [Adam \"Ditch\" Kurtz - First Campaign Speech (Full) - May 15, 2025 - The 5 Spot - Nashville, TN \u2014 Adam \"Ditch\" Kurtz for Governor](https://tuna-banjo-b898.squarespace.com/videos/v/adam-ditch-kurtz-first-campaign-speech-full-may-15-2025-the-5-spot-nashville-tn)","campaigns":[{"contest":"governor","county":"Anderson","county_count":95,"electiondate":"Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"primary","state":"TN","title":"Tennessee Governor"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"Adam \"Ditch\"","fullname":"Adam \"Ditch\" Kurtz","lastname":"Kurtz","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"governor","contest_title":"Tennessee Governor","county":"Anderson","county_count":95,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"governor","office_title":"Governor","party":"D","pgr":"primary","state":"TN"}],"county":null,"cycles":[{"general":null,"party":"D","primary":{"contest":"governor","contest_title":"Tennessee Governor","county":"Anderson","county_count":95,"electiondate":"2026-08-06","office_county":null,"office_key":"governor","office_title":"Governor","party":"D","pgr":"primary","state":"TN"},"term":null,"year":2026}],"office_key":"governor","office_title":"Governor","state":"TN","terms":[]}],"summary":"Adam \"Ditch\" Kurtz is a Nashville musician and political science graduate running for Governor of Tennessee as a Democrat in the 2026 primary.","terms":[],"token":"bzVvVyE7Ma"}