If you’re sitting at a diner in Jackson or grabbing coffee in Knoxville, politics eventually comes up. But honestly, most of the talk is about the big national headlines. We forget that the folks actually sitting in those D.C. offices—the Tennessee representatives in Congress—are the ones holding the keys to the federal piggy bank and the legislative ink pen.
People think our delegation is just a monolith of red. While it’s true that Republicans hold the vast majority of the seats, the actual dynamic in the 119th Congress is way more nuanced than just a party label. You’ve got veteran deal-makers, outspoken firebrands, and even a few fresh faces trying to figure out where the bathrooms are in the Longworth building.
Who is actually representing you right now?
Basically, Tennessee is split into nine congressional districts. Each one has its own flavor. You can’t compare the issues in the 1st District (Northeast TN) to the 9th (Memphis). It just doesn't work that way.
The 119th Congress, which kicked off in January 2025 and is barreling through 2026, looks like this:
- 1st District: Diana Harshbarger (R). She’s from Kingsport and leans heavily into her background as a pharmacist.
- 2nd District: Tim Burchett (R). If you’ve seen him on the news, he’s probably talking about UAPs (UFOs) or government transparency. He’s the former Knox County Mayor and doesn't care much for "beltway" etiquette.
- 3rd District: Chuck Fleischmann (R). He’s been around since 2011. He's a big player on the Appropriations Committee, which is where the money lives.
- 4th District: Scott DesJarlais (R). Another long-timer from Middle Tennessee.
- 5th District: Andy Ogles (R). He represents a chunk of Nashville and surrounding counties. He’s often aligned with the more conservative wings of the caucus.
- 6th District: John Rose (R). He’s a farmer and small business owner from Cookeville.
- 7th District: Matt Van Epps (R). This is a name you might not know as well. He took over after Mark Green resigned, winning a special election in late 2025.
- 8th District: David Kustoff (R). Representing West Tennessee, including the Memphis suburbs.
- 9th District: Steve Cohen (D). The lone Democrat in the House delegation. He’s been the voice of Memphis in D.C. since 2007.
And don't forget the Senate side. Marsha Blackburn just won re-election in 2024 against Gloria Johnson, so she’s set until 2030. Bill Hagerty is our junior senator, but he’s actually up for re-election this year (2026). That’s going to be a massive story as the months roll on.
The "Matt Van Epps" Factor and the 7th District
The biggest shakeup recently was the 7th District. Mark Green was a powerhouse—Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee—and his departure left a giant hole. Matt Van Epps stepped in after a frantic special election cycle in 2025.
Transitioning into a role like that isn't easy. You don't just inherit the seniority or the committee gavels. Van Epps has had to spend most of early 2026 just establishing his footprint. For constituents in Clarksville and parts of Nashville, this matters because "freshman" status usually means less influence on big-ticket spending bills.
Why the 2026 Election Cycle is Weird
Usually, midterms are the "big" off-year events. But 2026 feels different in Tennessee. Bill Hagerty is defending his Senate seat. While the "Cook Political Report" currently lists it as Solid Republican, don't expect it to be a quiet race.
On the House side, every single one of the Tennessee representatives in congress is up for re-election every two years. That’s the law. In the 5th District, Andy Ogles is facing primary pressure. Why? Because that district was redrawn a few years ago to include parts of Nashville, making it a weird cocktail of urban and rural voters. Chaz Molder, the Mayor of Columbia, has been making noise on the Democratic side, raising significant cash to try and flip it.
Honestly, flipping a seat in Tennessee is like trying to find a parking spot at the Ryman on a Saturday night—nearly impossible, but people keep trying.
Committee Power: Where the Real Work Happens
If you want to know if your rep is actually doing anything, look at their committees.
Chuck Fleischmann (3rd District) is arguably one of the most powerful because of his spot on Appropriations. If Oak Ridge National Lab needs funding, Chuck is the guy. David Kustoff sits on Ways and Means, which handles taxes and Social Security. That’s "grown-up" power.
Meanwhile, Tim Burchett uses his platform on Oversight to grill bureaucrats. It makes for great TV clips, but it's a different kind of influence than what Fleischmann has. It’s the "inside game" vs. the "outside game."
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Misconceptions about the "Nashville Seat"
One thing people get wrong constantly is who represents Nashville. After the 2020 census, the state legislature split Nashville (Davidson County) into three pieces.
You’ve got:
- District 5 (Ogles)
- District 6 (Rose)
- District 7 (Van Epps)
This move basically erased the safe Democratic seat that Jim Cooper held for decades. It’s why Steve Cohen in Memphis is now the only Democrat left in the group. If you live in Nashville, you’re basically represented by three different guys who mostly live in the surrounding rural counties. It’s a point of massive contention and is still talked about in every local bar.
What’s on the 2026 Agenda?
As we move through this year, keep an eye on a few specific things these reps are pushing:
- Hemp and Ag Laws: A lot of Tennessee reps are involved in the "Continuing Appropriations Act of 2026," specifically trying to align state hemp definitions with federal law.
- Infrastructure: With the growth in Middle Tennessee, everyone is screaming for federal road money.
- The MSCS Bill: While this is technically a state legislature thing (Mark White is a big name there), the federal reps often weigh in on education funding that trickles down to Memphis-Shelby County Schools.
Actionable Steps for You
Look, complaining about the government is a state pastime. But if you actually want to do something, here’s the play:
1. Find your actual district. Don't guess. Use the GovTrack tool or the House.gov "Find Your Representative" search. Since the maps changed, you might not be where you think you are.
2. Check the FEC filings. If you want to see who owns a candidate, look at where their money comes from. For example, in the 5th and 6th districts, primary challengers like Johnny Garrett and Van Hilleary (not the rep, but the challenger) have raised hundreds of thousands already for the 2026 cycle.
3. Show up to a town hall. Reps like Tim Burchett are actually pretty accessible. They hold these meetings in high school gyms and community centers. It’s much harder for them to give you a scripted answer when you’re standing five feet away from them.
The makeup of the Tennessee representatives in congress isn't just about party lines; it's about which part of the state's economy is getting the spotlight in D.C. Whether it’s Memphis logistics, Nashville tech, or East Tennessee energy, these nine people are the ones shouting for our share of the pie.
Stay tuned to the August primaries—that’s where the real "elections" happen in this state. By the time November 3, 2026, rolls around, most of these races will already be decided.