"David Sutman Jr is a working-class Tennessean, and political outsider running for U.S. Senate to bring accountability back to Washington. Raised with the values of hard work, personal responsibility, and community, David has spent his career solving real-world problems, and creating opportunities - not navigating political circles." "Families are working harder than ever but falling further behind, while career politicians grow more disconnected from the people they serve. David believes government should be practical, transparent, and focused on results - not party loyalty or political theater."
Kevin Lee McCants graduated from the University of Alabama with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering technologies and from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with a master's degree in industrial and organizational psychology. His career experience includes working as a production supervisor at a Hot Topic Distribution Center. Kevin Lee McCants (Democratic Party) ran for election to the U.S. Senate to represent Tennessee. He did not appear on the ballot for the Democratic primary on August 1, 2024.
Diana Onyejiaka, a Democrat from Nashville, announced she's running in 2026 to represent Tennessee in the U.S. Senate. "I am running to stand up for all working Tennesseans ‒ urban and rural, young and old, Democrats, Republicans, Independents, and everyone in between ‒ because when we put families and those who care for them first, we build a stronger Tennessee and a stronger America," Onyejiaka, 41, said in a news release. Onyejiaka was born in Tennessee. She earned a bachelor's degree in political science and a master's degree in public administration from Tennessee State University. Onyejiaka also earned a J.D. from the Southern University Law Center. Her career experience includes working in healthcare compliance, higher education, federal mediation, and public policy. She founded the Youth - Trainee Culture & Sustainability Project and DC Consult International.
Civil Miller-Watkins (Democratic Party) ran for election to the U.S. Senate to represent Tennessee. She lost in the Democratic primary on August 1, 2024. Miller-Watkins graduated from Bolivar Central High. She earned a Bachelor of Science in sociology from University of Tennessee at Martin in 1992, as well as a Bachelor of Science in social work in 1994, and a master's degree in education in 2023 from the same university. Her career experience includes working as a middle school teacher. Miller-Watkins was the vice-chair of the Board of Education for Fayette County Public Schools.
Maria Brewer, based in Hendersonville, TN, US, is currently a Director of Party Affairs at Tennessee Democratic Party. Maria Brewer brings experience from previous roles at Lenda Sherrell for Congress, Tennessee Democratic County Chairs Association, FASTSIGNS and E3 INNOVATE. Maria Brewer holds a BA in History, English @ Northwestern University. Until late last year, she was part of the Tennessee Democratic Party's staff structure. Her candidacy now arrives in the wake of a leadership realignment described to county officers as a broader shift in organizational vision and strategy.
Marquita Bradshaw (born January 19, 1974) is an American environmentalist, activist, and political candidate. She was the Democratic nominee in the 2020 United States Senate election in Tennessee, the first African American woman to win a major political party nomination in any statewide race in Tennessee. Marquita is native to Tennessee. She is a Memphian who has extensive experience in the environmental justice movement. Marquita grew up in South Memphis and is an alumna of university of Memphis. As a single working-class mother, she raised her son in Tennessee. She unsuccessfully ran in the 2024 Senate election, losing the Democratic primary to Gloria Johnson.
William Francis Hagerty IV is an American politician, businessman, and diplomat serving as the junior United States senator from Tennessee since 2021. A member of the Republican Party, he served as the 30th United States ambassador to Japan from 2017 to 2019 under President Donald Trump. He earned his bachelor's degree from Vanderbilt University in 1981 and his law degree from Vanderbilt University in 1984. Bill Hagerty's career experience included working as the managing director of and founding Hagerty Peterson & Company; an economic advisor to President George H. W. Bush, Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam, and Mitt Romney; on the domestic policy staff of the George H. W. Bush administration; a White House fellow with the NASA administrator and the Office of the Vice President; the national finance chairman of the Mitt Romney 2008 presidential campaign; and the Tennessee commissioner of economic development with the Governor Bill Haslam administration. Hagerty stated: "My lifelong business experience, which gave me firsthand exposure to the crippling overreach of the administrative state, provides unique perspective to the critical debates and lawmaking that takes place in the Senate. I've fought to secure our southern border, support our small businesses, strengthen our national security, and ensure Tennessee's voice is heard in Washington."