{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nDonnie Lynn Ownby is a candidate in the 2026 United States House of Representatives election for Tennessee's 3rd congressional district [1]. He qualified for the ballot following the March 10, 2026, filing deadline established by the Tennessee Secretary of State [2][8]. The general election is scheduled for November 3, 2026, with primary elections set for August 6, 2026 [1][9].\n\nOwnby has engaged in campaign finance activities for this race, with financial data available through the Federal Election Commission [3]. Prior to his candidacy, Ownby served as a pastor at Horseshoe First Baptist Church and was involved in community relief efforts in Florida following Hurricane Helene [4][6].\n\n## Background and education\n\nDonnie Ownby is a pastor who previously served at Horseshoe First Baptist Church in Horseshoe Beach, Florida [4]. He relocated to the church's community in August 2023 alongside his wife, Lisa [5]. Prior to this move, Ownby was described as a longtime Tennessean [5].\n\nSpecific details regarding his birthplace, year of birth, upbringing, formal education, or degrees earned are not provided in the available sources.\n\n## Career\n\nDonnie Ownby is a pastor who previously served at Horseshoe First Baptist Church in Horseshoe Beach, Florida [4]. He relocated to the church shortly before Hurricane Idalia struck Florida in August 2023 [4][5]. During his tenure, Ownby and his wife, Lisa, moved their belongings to the church\u2019s parsonage before returning to the Knoxville area for a scheduled medical visit [5].\n\nThe couple remained in Tennessee when Hurricane Helene devastated Horseshoe Beach in September 2024, leaving them homeless as their home became unlivable without flood insurance [6][7]. Ownby has been involved in community relief efforts in the region following the storms [4]. He is a longtime Tennessean who had planned to semi-retire while working as a pastor [5].\n\n## Family\n\nDonnie Ownby is married to Lisa Ownby [5]. The couple relocated to Horseshoe Beach, Florida, in August 2023 for Ownby to serve as pastor at First Baptist Church [4]. Their home was destroyed by Hurricane Helene in September 2024, leaving them homeless and prompting a fundraising effort [6].\n\n## Sources\n\n[1] [United States House of Representatives elections in Tennessee, 2026 - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/United_States_House_of_Representatives_elections_in_Tennessee,_2026)\n[2] [Candidate Lists | Tennessee Secretary of State](https://sos.tn.gov/elections/2026-candidate-lists)\n[3] [2026 Election United States House - Tennessee - District 05 - FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/data/elections/house/TN/05/2026/)\n[4] [Former East Tennessean helping after Hurricane Debby](https://www.wvlt.tv/2024/08/08/former-east-tennessean-helping-after-hurricane-debby/)\n[5] [Church damaged by Idalia receives check from Florida governor \u2022 Biblical Recorder](https://www.brnow.org/news/church-damaged-by-idalia-receives-check-from-florida-governor/)\n[6] [Fundraiser by Barbie Ownby : Help for Lisa and Donnie Ownby](https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-for-lisa-and-donnie-ownby-after-hurricane-helene)\n[7] [First Baptist Horseshoe Beach: \u2018Cast down, but not defeated\u2019 | Baptist Press](https://www.baptistpress.com/resource-library/news/first-baptist-horseshoe-beach-cast-down-but-not-defeated/)\n[8] [Tennessee's 2026 candidate lists finalized for state and federal races \u2022 Tennessee Lookout](https://tennesseelookout.com/briefs/tennessees-2026-candidate-lists-finalized-for-state-and-federal-races/)\n[9] [Tennessee 2026 General Election](https://www.thegreenpapers.com/G26/TN)","campaigns":[],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"Donnie","fullname":"Donnie Lynn Ownby","lastname":"Ownby","middlename":"Lynn","office_history":[],"summary":"Donnie Lynn Ownby is not identified as a candidate for the U.S. House District 3 in Tennessee; sources reference a pastor named Donnie Ownby unrelated to this race.","terms":[],"token":"s7lppS2wYl"}