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Jean Howard-Hill
Office history
Current office and 2026 campaign
Jean Howard-Hill is an independent candidate running for election to the U.S. House of Representatives to represent Tennessee's 3rd Congressional District in the 2026 cycle 1. She declared her candidacy for the general election scheduled for November 3, 2026 1. The primary election for this seat is set to occur on August 6, 2026 1.
Howard-Hill has previously sought the district's congressional seat in multiple prior cycles. She entered the Republican primary race in 2010, stating her goal was to offer residents "someone with common sense, compassion and a willingness to represent them" 4. In 2012, she announced plans to seek the seat held by incumbent Chuck Fleischmann, distinguishing this effort from previous runs by stating, "this time, I am in it to win" 5. She has also previously listed herself as a candidate for the district in 2004, 2008, 2010, 2012, and 2020 2.
Background and education
Jean Howard-Hill is a resident of Chattanooga, Tennessee 4. She self-describes as widowed and has one child, LaShunda 2. Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts in government and a Bachelor of Arts in urban planning from Wheaton College 1. She also earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Tennessee School of Law and a PhD in philosophy from Oxford Graduate School 2.
Career
Jean Howard-Hill holds a bachelor's degree in urban planning and government from Wheaton College, as well as a Juris Doctor from the University of Tennessee School of Law and a PhD in philosophy from Oxford Graduate School 12. Her professional background includes serving as a business executive at Howard-Hill Consultants 1. She has also worked as a college professor and political science professor, and served as a speaker 47.
Howard-Hill is the founder and national chair of the National Republican African-American Caucus, a position she has held since its establishment 2. Additionally, she served on the Chancellor's University of Tennessee Strategic Planning Environmental Scanning Task Force 2.
Office history
Jean Howard-Hill has never held elected or appointed public office 2. She served as the national chair of the National Republican African-American Caucus and was a member of the Chancellor's University of Tennessee Strategic Planning Environmental Scanning Task Force 2. Her professional background includes work as a business executive at Howard-Hill Consultants and as a college professor 14.
Howard-Hill has run for the U.S. House of Representatives in Tennessee's 3rd Congressional District multiple times without winning election to the seat. She first entered the Republican primary for the district in 2004 2. She ran again in the 2008 Republican primary 2. In March 2010, she announced her candidacy for the 2010 Republican primary, describing herself as a "political activist" and "college professor" seeking to offer residents "common sense, compassion and a willingness to represent them" 46. She sought the seat again in 2012, stating that while previous campaigns were to raise awareness, this run was intended "to win" against incumbent Chuck Fleischmann and other GOP candidates 57. Howard-Hill also ran for the district in 2020 2.
In August 2026, Howard-Hill is scheduled to appear on the ballot as an independent candidate for Tennessee's 3rd Congressional District in a general election set for November 3, 2026 13.
Business interests and wealth source
Jean Howard-Hill has worked as a business executive at Howard-Hill Consultants 1. She also serves as the national chair of the National Republican African-American Caucus and is listed as its founder 2. Her educational background includes a Juris Doctor from the University of Tennessee School of Law and a PhD in Philosophy from Oxford Graduate School, in addition to dual bachelor's degrees in government and urban planning from Wheaton College 2.
Howard-Hill is widowed and has one child, LaShunda 2. In previous campaigns, she has utilized personal milestones for fundraising; during her 2010 campaign, she hosted a "39 Again Birthday Party" where attendees were invited to make donations to her campaign rather than bringing gifts 6. During her 2012 congressional bid, she set a goal of raising $50,000 before January 1 of that year 7. Specific details regarding the sale of businesses or significant financial disclosure statements are not provided in the available sources.
Family
Howard-Hill is widowed and has one child, LaShunda 2. She previously listed LaShunda Hill as a campaign manager during her 2010 congressional bid 6.
Sources
Public filings
Candidates and officeholders are required by law to file campaign finance reports and statements of economic interest. The sites below don't support direct links to an individual record — search by last name on each.
Tennessee — Hamilton County campaign finance (Chattanooga Mayor)
- Pre-General 2021 — filed 02/22/21
Tennessee — campaign finance (search)
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State offices (Governor, TN Senate, TN House, State Executive Committee, statewide judiciary) —
Tennessee Registry of Election Finance.
Click Search for Candidates and PACs, enter last name “Howard-Hill”, and submit.
US House, US Senate, and Presidential candidates file with the FEC — see the federal section below.
Tennessee — statement of interest
- Required for state and local officials and candidates — Tennessee Ethics Commission Conflict of Interest Search. Enter last name “Howard-Hill”and, if needed, select the applicable position.
Federal offices — campaign finance
- US House, US Senate, and Presidential candidates file with the Federal Election Commission (FEC), not with state systems — FEC candidate search. Filter by office, state, and cycle to narrow the results. Financial disclosures (personal assets and income) for members of Congress and congressional candidates are filed with the US House Clerk or US Senate Office of Public Records, depending on the office.