Michaela Barnett

“Right now, members of Congress get rich from trading stocks while their constituents at home struggle. Campaign finance laws let corporations and wealthy individuals buy our elections. Rampant gerrymandering lets politicians choose their voters instead of the other way around. If we are going to solve any of the crises we face — access to affordable healthcare and housing, ensuring that AI doesn't take all of our jobs, repairing our roads, and so many more — we have to fix what's broken in our government. That's why government reform is at the top of my agenda.”

“A healthcare system's success should be measured by how many patients it heals, not how much profit it generates for its shareholders.”

“Speaking out is important, but I know that we can't just be a voice in opposition — we have to show the American people our vision for the future, our plan for how we're going to achieve it, and fight for it with all our might. That's why I am running to serve the people of East Tennessee.”

“Our government is not working for us. Gas prices are soaring, groceries cost too much, and rents are out of control all across East Tennessee. Washington insiders on both sides of the aisle aren't working to make our lives better — they're waiting it out. That's not how we build the future that we deserve.”

“I am a local small business owner and an engineer who learned the value of a hard day's work early on, doing barn chores before and after school. So I know firsthand what it means to make payroll, care for the land, and solve problems.”

“I may have a PhD in Civil Engineering, but you don't need a doctoral degree to see that our infrastructure has not kept up with our community's growth — and that is making everyone's lives harder.”