Tennessee 8th District
David Kustoff (R) holds this seat and is running again. 8 candidates were on the ballot on November 3, 2026.
Who should win this race, and why?Say what you think. Other readers can answer you.Discuss
David Kustoff
Republican · holds this seat today
ALiberty Score AOn the liberty side in 116 of 120 votes and bills.
Raised $2,585,197 since January 2025: 47% from people, 45% from PACs and other committees, 8% transfers and other income. The filing at FEC.gov
Heidi Kuhn
Democrat · shelby county criminal court clerk, democratic nominee
FLiberty Score F53 out of 100 across 5 principles. Graded on what Kuhn has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for Kuhn.
Raised $112,309 since January 2025: 96% from people, 3% from PACs and other committees, 1% from the party. The filing at FEC.gov
Higher on Liberty Score: David Kustoff. David Kustoff: A, 97 out of 100 from recorded votes. Heidi Kuhn: F, 53 out of 100 from words and actions, with no votes in Congress to count.
Voting in Tennessee: how to register, vote early or vote by mail. Election Day was November 3.
Side by side
A solid letter is a grade from recorded votes on that principle. An outlined letter is on the same scale, for a candidate with no votes: it comes from what that candidate has said and done, and every source is listed below.
Heidi Kuhn, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Kuhn, so the grade above comes from this list: what Kuhn has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
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Asked about the war in Iran and war funding, she says the US should not be there and she wants to cut funding for it.
“I do believe that we should not be there and I would want to cut funding.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Opposing the current US war on the Islamic Republic and seeking to cut its funding is the against side of this measure.
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Asked whether she would cut military aid to Israel, she says she would like to see that aid cut.
“I would like to see that aid cut, absolutely.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Cutting weapons aid to Israel is the against side of this measure.
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Asked about the war in Ukraine, she says she wants to see more of the money used in the United States rather than abroad.
“I would like to see more of that money being utilized here in the United States, not necessarily internationally.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
She does not say whether she would end or keep Ukraine aid, so the words do not settle a side.
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Her site says she will reject the tariff taxes and corporate giveaways that she says raise costs.
“Heidi will reject Trump and Kustoff's tariff taxes and corporate giveaways that are driving up costs for working-class Tennesseans.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Rejecting broad tariffs is with liberty on free markets.
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Her site says she will expand the child tax credit.
“Heidi will expand the child tax credit to make it more affordable for parents to raise children.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
A named tax cut is with liberty on free markets.
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She says she would not cut funding for the troops and wants them to have the resources they need.
“I would not cut funding to the soldiers and to the troops.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Funding and equipping the armed forces is the with side of this measure.
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She says the country needs to tighten its borders.
“I think that we need to tighten our borders, for sure.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Securing the border is the with side of this measure.
Also on the ballot
Adam Austill (Independent), Wells Blankenship (Independent), Antonio Futch (Independent), Pamela Moses (Independent), Horace Taylor (Independent), Henry Ward III (Independent).
Who is on the ballot: the state election offices, as listed on Wikipedia on November 3, 2026, checked against the candidate file of the Federal Election Commission. See a name that is wrong or missing? Say so in the discussion.
Who should win this race, and why?
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Discussion
Tennessee 8th District
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