Joshua Ray Ashburn

Joshua Ray Ashburn is an Independent candidate running for election to the U.S. House of Representatives in Tennessee's 1st Congressional District during the 2026 cycle [2]. He qualified for the general election ballot, which is scheduled for November 3, 2026, following the primary election on August 6, 2026 [1]. In this race, he competes against other Independent candidates Richard Baker, Chris Campbell, and Tyler McClain, as well as the Republican nominee [1]. The incumbent in this district is Republican Diana Harshbarger, who was re-elected in 2024 with 78.1% of the vote [9]. Tennessee's 1st Congressional District encompasses all of Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hancock, Hawkins, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi, and Washington counties, along with parts of Jefferson and Sevier counties, including the Tri-Cities region [9].

Ashburn previously sought the same office in 2024 but did not make the general election ballot for that cycle [1]. Ballotpedia lists him under "Withdrawn or disqualified candidates" for the 2024 general election for U.S. House Tennessee District 1, where he had been listed as an Independent candidate prior to his removal from the ballot [2]. In the 2024 general election, incumbent Diana Harshbarger defeated Democratic nominee Kevin Jenkins and other candidates who did make the ballot [2].

Publicly available information does not provide details regarding Ashburn's professional background, education, or specific policy positions for the 2026 campaign. While there is a separate individual named Joshua Ashburn identified as a fiction author and screenwriter based in Texas, sources do not confirm this is the same person running for Congress in Tennessee [19]. Similarly, historical records mention a Joshua Thompson Ashburn associated with Marion County, Tennessee, in the 19th century, but there is no evidence linking this historical figure to the current candidate [16].

Sources

• [1] United States House of Representatives elections in Tennessee, 2026 - Ballotpedia
• [2] Joshua Ray Ashburn - Ballotpedia
• [3] Tennessee elections, 2026 - Ballotpedia
• [4] Tennessee elections, 2024 - Ballotpedia
• [5] Tennessee's 7th Congressional District election, 2026 - Ballotpedia
• [6] Candidate Lists | Tennessee Secretary of State
• [7] Candidate Information | Williamson County, TN - Official Site
• [8] 2026 Tennessee gubernatorial election - Wikipedia
• [9] 2026 United States House of Representatives elections in Tennessee - Wikipedia
• [10] 2026 Tennessee county mayoral elections - Wikipedia
• [11] Tennessee Voting Information
• [16] Joshua Thompson Ashburn... - Tennessee Century Farms ...
• [18] Tennessee 2026 Elections: Candidates for Governor, Senate & House | Politics1
• [19] Meet Joshua Ashburn - Voyage Houston Magazine | Houston City Guide
• [20] Becky Ashburn (41 matches): Phone Number, Email, Address - Spokeo

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 — campaign finance

• State offices (Governor, US Senate, US Rep, TN Senate, TN House, State Executive Committee) — Tennessee Registry of Election Finance. Click Search for Candidates and PACs, enter last name “Ashburn”, and submit.
• Shelby County and municipal offices (County Mayor, Commissioner, Sheriff, School Board, court clerks, municipal alderman, etc.) — Shelby County Public Campaign Finance Portal. Select the election year and search by candidate name (“Ashburn”).

Tennessee — statement of interest

• Required for state and local officials and candidates — Tennessee Ethics Commission Conflict of Interest Search. Enter last name “Ashburn”and, if needed, select the applicable position.

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