Tim Burchett

Current office and 2026 campaign

Tim Burchett is a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives representing Tennessee's 2nd Congressional District, having assumed office on January 3, 2019 ¹³. His current term in the 119th Congress ends on January 3, 2027 ¹. Burchett is seeking re-election to represent the district in the 2026 United States House of Representatives elections ¹. He declared his candidacy for the Republican primary scheduled for August 6, 2026 ¹.

As an incumbent, Burchett continues to serve as a representative for the East Tennessee district, which has been described as having a Cook Partisan Voting Index of R+17 ¹⁴. During the current term, he has served as Chairman of the DOGE Subcommittee ⁸. In early 2026, he introduced legislation such as the Duplication Scoring Act and H.R. 2247, which passed the House in March 2026 ⁸. Burchett self-describes as a lifelong East Tennessee conservative and states that he ran for Congress due to dissatisfaction with the status quo in Washington ¹⁶¹⁷.

Background and education

Tim Burchett was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, on August 25, 1964 ¹⁹¹⁸. He is a lifelong East Tennessean who grew up in Knoxville ⁷¹⁶. Burchett attended Bearden High School before earning a Bachelor of Science degree in education from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville in 1988 ¹⁹¹⁶.

Burchett identifies as Presbyterian ⁹¹¹. He resides in the Gibbs Community of Knox County with his wife, Kelly, and their daughter, Isabel ⁷.

Career

Tim Burchett earned a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville in 1988 ¹¹⁶. Prior to his entry into public service, he worked as a small businessman ⁹¹¹. He also served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve for eight years ¹.

Burchett’s career in elected office began when he was elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives, serving from 1993 to 1997 ¹³. He subsequently served in the Tennessee Senate from 1999 to 2010 ¹³. Following his legislative tenure, he served as the mayor of Knox County from September 2010 to September 2018 ¹³.

Office history

Tim Burchett served in the Tennessee House of Representatives from 1993 to 1997, representing District 18 during the 99th and 100th General Assemblies ¹³⁹¹¹. He was subsequently elected to the Tennessee Senate, where he represented District 7 for eight years from 1999 to 2010, serving in the 101st through 105th General Assemblies ¹³⁹.

Burchett served as the Mayor of Knox County from September 1, 2010, to September 1, 2018, succeeding Mike Ragsdale and preceding Glenn Jacobs ¹³. During his tenure, he oversaw infrastructure projects and school construction while managing the county's debt without raising taxes ⁷.

He was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2018, winning the Republican primary on August 2, 2018, and assuming office on January 3, 2019, representing Tennessee's 2nd Congressional District ⁵¹¹⁴. He won re-election in the general elections held in 2020 ⁴, 2022 ⁶, and 2024 ²¹⁵. As of May 2026, his current term ends on January 3, 2027 ¹.

Legislative record and accomplishments

During his tenure in the U.S. House, Burchett has served on the House Oversight and Accountability Committee ¹⁰. In the 119th Congress, he holds the position of Chairman of the Digital Object Governance and Efficiency (DOGE) Subcommittee ⁸. His legislative portfolio includes a focus on government efficiency and veteran affairs ⁸.

In March 2026, Burchett introduced the Duplication Scoring Act alongside Ranking Member Stansbury as part of his work with the DOGE Subcommittee ⁸. Earlier that month, his bill H.R. 2247 passed the House ⁸. In May 2026, he introduced legislation aimed at protecting veterans from fraud ⁸.

Prior to his election to Congress, Burchett served in the Tennessee General Assembly for 16 years, holding seats in both the state House and Senate ⁷¹³. During his time in the state legislature, he sponsored bills focused on cutting taxes and protecting agricultural interests ¹⁶. As Knox County Mayor from 2010 to 2018, he oversaw infrastructure projects and the construction of new schools while maintaining a no-tax-increase policy ⁷.

Business interests and wealth source

Tim Burchett’s professional background is rooted in small business ownership and public service. Before entering politics, he started a successful small business ⁷. During his tenure in the Tennessee General Assembly, where he served 16 years in the state legislature ⁷, his occupation was listed as "small businessman" ⁹¹¹.

Specific details regarding the nature of his business ventures, ownership stakes, or any sales of businesses are not provided in the available sources. Similarly, specific figures regarding family wealth sources or detailed breakdowns of personal financial disclosures beyond general campaign finance totals are not included in the reference material.

Public financial data indicates that Burchett raised $1,161,955.43 in total during a reported period, with $1,035,577.79 coming from individual contributions ¹². He has also served as Chairman of the DOGE Subcommittee ⁸.

Family

Tim Burchett is a lifelong East Tennessean who grew up in Knoxville ⁷. He resides in the Gibbs Community of Knox County with his wife, Kelly, and their daughter, Isabel ⁷. Burchett self-describes himself as a husband and a father ¹⁶.

Sources