If you're also fired up about these issues - let's tackle them together.

Call to Action

An Economy that Works for All

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An Economy that Works for All

Working hard should get you ahead, not put you behind. As an entrepreneur, innovator, and jobs-creator, I believe that East Tennesseans should have access to abundant, good jobs that contribute to our society, economy, and create financial stability for workers. We live in the richest country in the history of the world, but <a href="https://www.newsweek.com/2025-rise-americans-living-paycheck-2128753">67% of workers </a>still live paycheck to paycheck.&nbsp; The cost of living – from housing to groceries to healthcare – has skyrocketed, but our wages have not kept up. A working mom in Lenoir City should never have to decide between paying their rent and feeding their kids. A Grainger County farmer should never have to live in fear that a medical event will bankrupt them. A family in Knoxville should never have to leave their hometown because they've been priced out. East Tennessee is home to a culture of entrepreneurship, innovation, and hard work. But short-sighted, billionaire-backed policies mean that <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jobs-manufacturing-trump-tariffs-economy/">we're losing thousands of manufacturing jobs</a>, small businesses are hurting from <a href="https://www.americanprogress.org/article/the-trump-administrations-trade-wars-are-crushing-u-s-small-businesses/">the President's trade war</a>, and <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/08/27/majorities-of-adults-see-decline-of-union-membership-as-bad-for-the-us-and-working-people/">union membership is on the decline</a>. Our farmers are struggling with the <a href="https://tennesseelookout.com/2025/09/15/tn-soybean-farmers-face-desperate-situation-amid-inflation-weather-extremes-and-tariffs/?utm_source=chatgpt.com">loss of their biggest markets due to Trump's ongoing trade war</a>. Instead of helping hard-working East Tennesseans get ahead, America’s wealth is accumulating amongst the ultra-rich. A successful future for our workforce, our economy, and our country means passing legislation that supports workers, families, and innovation, not just the already-wealthy. What I’ll work for in Congress to fix it:<ul><li>Cosponsor and vote for a federal minimum wage increase – pushing to raise the floor to at least $15/hour with phased increases so workers can afford to live and small businesses can plan ahead</li><li>Work to secure federal appropriations for workforce development and job training programs that bring high-paying jobs back to East Tennessee</li><li>Fight for East Tennessee’s share of infrastructure dollars to invest in much-needed infrastructure projects across East Tennessee while expanding apprenticeship and trade school opportunities so that local workers can build their own communities and make a good living doing it</li><li>Champion legislation to make America lead R&amp;D again: I’ll support increased federal investment in STEM education, basic and applied research, national labs, and emerging technology&nbsp;</li><li>Advocate for public-private manufacturing partnerships: I’ll work to bring manufacturing grants and tax incentives to East Tennessee businesses that create quality local jobs and lower costs for consumers</li><li>Push for robust implementation and additional funding to grow domestic semiconductor production, protect national security, create skilled jobs, and reduce our dependence on foreign supply chains</li><li>Co-sponsor legislation to close billionaire tax loopholes and end carried interest deductions, crack down on offshore sheltering, and establish a minimum tax on extreme wealth so the ultra-rich pay what working Tennesseans already do</li><li>Expand and fund national service programs to allow for Americans to give back to their country and their communities</li></ul>

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<h2>What happens if we do all this work and we don't win?</h2><h4>I know that it is scary to cultivate tender hope, work like hell, and be disappointed again.</h4><h4>But this campaign won't measure success by one night in November.</h4><h4>Yes, we're going to work like the stakes couldn't be higher to flip this district - because they couldn't be.</h4><h4>But we're also going to run a campaign over the next 13 months focused on serving Tennesseans in our district.</h4><h4>We're going to make this campaign a vehicle for change that outlasts a single election. We're going to build coalitions, mobilize volunteers, and remind the people of East Tennessee that they have power.</h4><h4>We're going to create a movement for positive change in East Tennessee and beyond that stretches far beyond next November.</h4><h2>Let's do this - because we are the cavalry. </h2>

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East Tennesseans deserve better. These are some of the top policy priorities our campaign is focused on.

Fighting for Our Community

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We live in a representative democracy – yet so many of us don’t feel represented. Because we aren’t.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, protecting our environment, and so many more – we have to fix what’s broken in our government.<a href="/91cd10c5-10c5-4374-9ccc-65ecb861a7c1" style="color: var(--color-text); text-decoration-color: var(--color-text);">&gt;&gt;&gt; Learn more</a>

A Government that Actually Represents Us

Working hard should get you ahead, not put you behind.A successful future for our workforce, our economy, and our country means passing legislation that supports workers, families, and innovation, not just the already-wealthy.<a href="/27f4014a-c740-4562-9a56-564528bf859a" style="color: var(--color-text); text-decoration-color: var(--color-text);">&gt;&gt;&gt; Learn more</a>

A healthcare system’s success should be measured by how many patients it heals, not how much profit it generates for its shareholders.Quality healthcare should be affordable and accessible to everyone who needs it.<a href="/66de8c45-91af-41f6-89c9-55b4669baa03" style="color: var(--color-text); text-decoration-color: var(--color-text);">&gt;&gt;&gt; Learn more</a>

Healthcare Focused on People, Not Profits

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.We send federal tax dollars to Washington. We deserve a Representative who will fight to bring those dollars home and invest in our region.<a href="/0ef9cacc-afbc-438a-ba08-72ca1aac02a8" style="color: var(--color-text); text-decoration-color: var(--color-text);">&gt;&gt;&gt; Learn more</a>

Building Better Infrastructure&nbsp;

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<h3>She’s not fighting for corporate interests, the Democratic establishment, or for personal gain.&nbsp;</h3><h2>Michaela is fighting for East Tennessee.</h2>Michaela Barnett is a scientist, small business owner, and spent the last year working in Congress — so she knows firsthand what isn’t working, why, and what to do about it.While Republicans gave the wealthy a massive tax break on the backs of working families, gutted the federal workforce, and made ICE the biggest police force in the United States, many Democrats in D.C. responded with tactics from an old playbook that don't meet the urgency of the moment we are in. They aren't fighting back — they're waiting it out.That’s not how we change our country for the better. We can’t just wait and hope that we swing a few seats in the midterms by being exactly the same party that keeps losing the working class.Michaela knows 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.

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<h3>If we get 100 donors by the end of the year, Michaela's going to do a polar plunge.</h3>

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Michaela Barnett, PhD, is a scientist, small business owner, and spent the last year working in Congress — so she knows firsthand what isn’t working, why, and what to do about it.

Meet Michaela

Michaela's lifelong drive to make things better is why she went back to school for her PhD, and why she started her small business.After a year serving as an AmeriCorps member, Michaela wanted more tools in her tool belt to solve society's biggest issues.While doing her PhD research on problems with our waste system, Michaela decided she would help solve them - not just study them.She launched her small business, KnoxFill, while she was a full-time graduate student. KnoxFill, a refillery focused on sustainability, community, and uplifting other small businesses, quickly became a Knoxville staple serving thousands of East Tennesseans.

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<h2>This campaign is going to take all of us. </h2><h3>Whether you can host a house party, write postcards, door knock, or connect East Tennesseans with the resources they need - we'd love your help.</h3>

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Healthcare Focused on People, Not Profits

<h2>How to handle donations on your website</h2>Run does not process donations directly on our platform, as is standard with most political and advocacy sites.Campaigns are often required to comply with reporting requirements, donation limits, and other regulations, so using a donation processor that specializes in serving campaigns is generally a good idea. Sign up with a donation processor and then on your Pages sidebar, click the Link icon on the Donate page and add the link to your donation page. Some common options for donation processing include:<ul><li><a href="https://secure.actblue.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ActBlue</a></li><li><a href="https://www.campaigndeputy.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Campaign Deputy</a> </li><li><a href="https://goodchange.app/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">GoodChange</a></li><li><a href="https://numero.ai/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Numero</a></li><li><a href="https://www.ngpvan.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">NGP VAN</a></li></ul>

<h2>We are here for you.</h2>If you need help, <a href="https://easttn211.communityos.org/">East Tennessee 211</a> will help connect you with resources and organizations that can provide a wide range of assistance tailored to your specific needs.

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<h2>Privacy Policy</h2>Updated 4/1/2026This Privacy Policy applies to the website <a href="http://michaelafortennessee.com">michaelafortennessee.com</a> (the "Site") owned and operated by Michaela for Tennessee, a congressional campaign.Michaela for Tennessee has created this privacy policy to explain how we use information that you may provide while visiting this Site and to demonstrate our firm commitment to Internet privacy. By using this Site, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy.<h4>Contributions to Michaela for Tennessee - public information</h4>Michaela for Tennessee is required to file regular reports with the Federal Election Commission that publicly disclose the name, address, occupation and employer of persons who contribute over $200 during an election cycle, along with the amount and date of the contribution. State and local election laws may also require us to disclose this information at a lower itemization threshold, depending on the committee's activity.<h4>Campaign and Donation Messages from Michaela for Tennessee</h4>Sign up online or via mobile to receive campaign &amp; donation messages from Michaela for Tennessee. Recurring subscription. Message and data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt-out.The above excludes text messaging originator opt-in data and consent, which information will not be shared with any third parties, provided that the foregoing does not apply to sharing (1) with vendors, consultants and other service providers who need access to such information to carry out work on our behalf; and (2) if we believe disclosure is required by any applicable law, rule, or regulation or to comply with law enforcement or legal process.For support regarding the Program, email us at <a href="mailto:us@ocasiocortez.com">cavalry@michaelafortennessee.com</a>. Please note that the use of this email address is not an acceptable method of opting out of the program.WE DO NOT SELL, RENT, LOAN, TRADE, LEASE OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER FOR PROFIT ANY PHONE NUMBERS OR PERSONAL INFORMATION COLLECTED OR RECEIVED THROUGH THE PROGRAM TO ANY THIRD PARTY.<h4>Amendments and consent to this privacy policy</h4>We retain the right to amend or otherwise update this Privacy Policy at any time. By using our Site, you consent to the collection and use of the information as we have described. If we change our policies and practices, we will post the changes in our Privacy Policy so that you are always aware of them. With this knowledge, you can make an informed decision about whether you wish to provide personal information to us.<h4>How to contact us</h4>If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, you may contact us by sending an e-mail to <a href="mailto:us@ocasiocortez.com">cavalry@michaelafortennessee.com</a>

Building Better Infrastructure

I understand why everyone wants to move to East Tennessee. We're blessed with beautiful mountains, culture, and community, and for a long time we were an affordable place to work, live, and raise a family. I also understand why many East Tennesseans don’t want more people to move here. 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.&nbsp;According to <a href="https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/tacir/infrastructure/2024infra2022-2027/2024_Infrastructure.pdf">Tennessee's own infrastructure inventory</a>, the counties that make up our district face nearly $7 billion in infrastructure needs over the next five years. But statewide, two-thirds of identified needs don’t have an identified funding source. Traffic is worse than ever. Our housing shortage is driving up costs and pushing families out of their hometown.&nbsp;Our roads and bridges need more than $3 billion in investments. Our schools need more than $300 million in renovations and new construction, not to mention reliable internet access. Our water and wastewater systems need around $450 million in repairs and upgrades. In some of our rural communities, some East Tennesseans still don’t have clean drinking water in their homes.&nbsp;We send federal tax dollars to Washington. We deserve a Representative who will fight to bring those dollars home and invest in our region.&nbsp;What I’ll work for in Congress to give East Tennesseans the quality of life they deserve:&nbsp; <ul><li>Fund our most critical road and bridge projects by using my engineering background and committee work to direct federal dollars towards critical road and bridge repairs</li><li>Push for federal incentives that reduce red tape in existing urban and suburban areas so that the market can respond to our housing shortage before more families are priced out while protecting our rural areas and farmland&nbsp;</li><li>Expand the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) to increase the number of affordable units built in existing communities while adding criteria to prevent overdeveloping the farmland and green spaces that make East Tennessee worth living in&nbsp;</li><li>Fight for clean water funding for the upgrades our counties need, so no East Tennessean has to wonder whether the water coming out of their tap is safe</li><li>Close the broadband gap in rural communities by advocating for full implementation of BEAD program funding and pushing for accountability so that federal broadband dollars actually reach the rural corners of our district that are still waiting for reliable internet access</li><li>Invest in vocational and trades education by working to secure federal career and technical education (CTE) funding for programs that will train the construction and energy workforce our region needs to build its own future</li><li>Advocate for federal transit grants to add bus routes and advance regional rail projects that connect workers to jobs without adding to our traffic crisis</li><li>Support legislation that directs clean energy tax credits, grants, and manufacturing incentives to East Tennessee to bring clean energy investment and jobs to our region while building on our region's existing strengths in energy production</li><li>Push for federal education infrastructure dollars to address the $330 million backlog in school renovations and new construction projects across our district, and make sure every classroom has the technology students need to compete</li></ul>

Our government is broken.&nbsp; We live in a representative democracy – yet so many of us don’t feel represented. Because we aren’t.&nbsp;&nbsp; I understand why so many people don’t trust that our government is working in our best interests. Because in so many cases, it isn’t. The system is rigged against us, which is why I’m focused on reforming our government so we can reclaim our power.&nbsp; Campaign finance laws make it so corporations and wealthy individuals can spend without limit on our elections.&nbsp; Members of Congress get rich from trading stocks while their constituents at home struggle.&nbsp; Rampant gerrymandering lets politicians choose their voters instead of the other way around.&nbsp; 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, protecting our environment, and so many more – we have to fix what’s broken in our government.&nbsp; Every other fight we need to win depends on having a government that actually works for the people. That's why government reform is at the top of my agenda.&nbsp; What I’ll work for in Congress to fix it:&nbsp;<ul><li>Limit political spending by massive corporations</li><li>A constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United and restore power to the people</li><li>End partisan gerrymandering by requiring independent redistricting commissions, ensuring free and fair elections where every vote counts equally</li><li>Ban congressional stock trading</li><li>Set reasonable age limits for members of Congress, President, and Vice President</li><li>Institute a lobbying moratorium or ban for members of Congress after they’ve left office&nbsp;</li><li>Establish term limits for members of Congress</li><li>Institute term limits and a binding Code of Judicial Ethics for the Supreme Court</li></ul>

<h4>Flipping this district is going to be hard, no doubt about it.</h4><h4> But it's not impossible.</h4>

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A Government that Actually Represents Us

Questions? Email Nat Morales, Community Resource Director for Michaela for Tennessee.

The problems we are facing are huge and overwhelming. But they are not unsolvable.A better future is possible - but we can't just hope for it. We have to work for it. Let's put hope to work.

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As a scientist and entrepreneur, Michaela knew two important levers to create positive change in the world.But she wanted more tools to create impact, which led her to a science policy fellowship in our nation's capital.She worked in the House of Representatives in the office of Congressman Tonko, where she covered the immigration, Social Security, financial services, taxes, housing, and women's health portfolios.Michaela started her fellowship in September 2024, placing her on the front lines in the fight against DOGE, the Trump administration's disregard of the Constitution, and the passage of the OBBBA reconciliation bill, which will have devastating consequences in East Tennessee if we fail to fight back.

Meet Michaela

<h4>This is the longest held Republican district in the country. (Yes, the country). It has been red since 1867, when each party stood for very different things than they do now.</h4><h4>But this East Tennessee stronghold is winnable.</h4><h4>How?</h4><h4>If Republicans turn out like they usually do in midterms, but Democratic voters turn out like they usually do during a presidential election, we get pretty darn close to flipping TN-02.</h4><h4>Add in:</h4><h4>- People who usually vote red who are mad as hell at Tim</h4><h4>- Newly energized young voters</h4><h4>- Independents who want someone who will stand up to Trump's terrible economic policies</h4><h4>- Disenchanted East Tennesseans who used to think that their votes didn't matter</h4><h4>- Working class families struggling to live with rising costs of everyday essentials</h4><h4>- Constituents who want a rep who will actually show up to town halls and listen to them</h4><h4>- Voters alarmed by Republican's extreme immigration policies</h4><h4>And we've got a real shot at this.</h4>

Read below for some of our top priorities

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An Economy that Works for East Tennesseans

Making Government Represent the People

Healthcare Focused on People, not Profits

Investing in Tennessee's Infrastructure and Workforce

<h3>Michaela Barnett is Fighting for East Tennessee</h3><h4>I will never sell you out for a handshake and a photo op.</h4>

Fighting for East Tn

<h2>Our local TSA agents need our help.</h2>Knoxville TSA agents have been working without a paycheck for weeks, and many of them are struggling.The Senate passed a bill to fund TSA and most of DHS — but House Republicans rejected it Friday, with Speaker Johnson <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/27/dhs-tsa-shutdown-congress.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">proposing a different stopgap instead</a>. That alternative is considered unlikely to pass the Senate. President Trump signed <a href="https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2026/03/27/congress/tsa-workers-will-start-getting-paychecks-again-00848891">a memo to pay TSA agents</a>, but it remains unclear exactly how that will work or when paychecks will arrive. Our neighbors at TYS shouldn't have to wait.My team is coordinating donations to help TSA agents. Our government has failed them, but our community will show up.Drop off items at the Delta counter at Tyson McGhee Airport – anyone can bring donations directly to TYS.Can't make it to the airport? Have questions about what TSA agents need? Contact my Community Resource Director at <a href="mailto:nat@michaelafortennessee.com">nat@michaelafortennessee.com</a>.

Michaela is the kind of person who doesn't just see things the way they are. She sees how they could be, then puts that vision to work.In high school, she was putting on dress drives, starting recycling programs, and organizing visits to local nursing homes.In college, she started her university's first campus-wide composting program, worked at a local family-owned farm, and served as a GED tutor.As an AmeriCorps member at UT Recycling, she launched the UT Free Store, the Grow Lab, and grew the campus-wide food recovery program, three programs that continue to thrive today.

Quality healthcare should be affordable and accessible to everyone who needs it.&nbsp; Instead, we are facing a healthcare crisis in our country that will only get worse. There are millions of Americans who can't afford to pay for basic healthcare needs, our medical workforce is shrinking, and our population is aging. Tennessee ranks 45th in the nation in terms of life expectancy, and has the highest maternal mortality rate of any state. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) kicked millions of Americans off of insurance that they could barely afford, and threatens to close rural hospitals across the country, <a href="https://www.wate.com/news/tennessee/researchers-concerned-9-hospitals-in-tn-could-close-due-to-potential-medicaid-cuts/">including 9 in Tennessee</a>.&nbsp; Insurance companies and big pharma continue to take advantage of those most in need, increasing consumer costs and denying care while posting record profits. This is unacceptable.&nbsp; While these problems affect all of us, these impacts are amplified in the rural and low-income communities that make up East Tennessee. Here, our medical workforce continues to shrink and care shortages emerge as healthcare professionals face rising costs and stagnant reimbursements from insurance companies. At the same time, more than 11% of the district is uninsured since the <a href="https://www.newsweek.com/map-shows-how-much-health-insurance-premiums-will-go-up-in-each-state-11113583">average 60 year old who</a> paid $445 a month last year for insurance is now facing a monthly cost of $1510. A healthcare system’s success should be measured by how many patients it heals, not how much profit it generates for its shareholders.&nbsp; What I’ll work for in Congress to fix it: <ul><li>Rein in insurance company abuses by requiring insurers to spend more of every premium dollar on actual patient care and health outcomes, penalizing companies that routinely deny valid claims, and support antitrust action to break up corporate healthcare monopolies that dominate the market and post record profits while people go without care&nbsp;</li><li>Work to restore and expand the ACA premium tax credit to make our current healthcare options affordable while ensuring that insurance companies aren’t taking advantage of government dollars</li><li>Advocate for a universal healthcare option, while preserving your freedom to purchase additional insurance coverage</li><li>Champion drug price caps by building on the IRA's Medicare negotiation framework to extend hard price caps to insulin, cancer drugs, and other essential medications for all Americans, not just seniors&nbsp;</li><li>Empower Medicaid to negotiate drug prices to directly lower your costs for your medications&nbsp;</li><li>Fight to lift the cap on federally funded medical residencies by supporting the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act which will add thousands of new residency slots annually and address the physician shortage before it becomes a full collapse</li><li>Draw more medical professionals to our region by increasing Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement rates in rural areas</li><li>Increase telehealth availability and coverage&nbsp;</li><li>Fund community-based health programs so they can solve the biggest problems in their areas</li><li>Support evidence-based substance abuse treatment to address the opioid crisis in our communities</li></ul>

This is going to take all of us. Are you in?

Host a house party to connect Michaela with new supporters, spark genuine conversations about East Tennessee’s future, and help raise the resources our campaign needs to reach voters.

House Party!

<h2 style="text-align: center"><a style="color: var(--color-text-accent-primary); text-decoration-color: var(--color-text-accent-primary)" href="https://calendar.app.google/JwAS1PHuta9HqJ4Y9" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Schedule One Here!</a></h2>

Michaela Barnett for Tennessee-02

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Phone Bank for Michaela on 4/23

Help us reach voters across TN-02! We're making calls to share Michaela's message and talk to voters across the district. Training provided &amp; no experience necessary! Bring a laptop or phone.

Meet & Greet at Remedy Coffee

Meet Michaela Barnett at Remedy Coffee! We're gathering to discuss what's working, what's not, and how we can build a government that actually serves the people of TN-02. Bring your questions and your ideas!

Phone Bank for Michaela on 4/9

First Friday Poster Competition at Ricky's

Come see community-submitted campaign poster designs, vote for your favorite, and celebrate our local artists while meeting Michaela Barnett and fellow supporters.Your vote matters - help us pick the design that will represent hope and change throughout our district!

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The evidence is clear: ICE unleashed in our communities puts all of us in danger.

ICE in our communities makes all of us less safe | Opinion

This administration has been characterized by chaos, corruption, and bad governance – and we are supposed to believe that they are up to the task of running another country in addition to our own?

What happened to the president of peace and small government? | Letter

30+ Speed Dating with Michaela for Tennessee & Knox Social Club

Looking to connect with like-minded folks in East Tennessee? Join us for our 30+ Progressive Speed Dating - a fun way to meet new people who share your values and build community around the issues that matter. Come find love, share stories, and discover the power of connecting with your neighbors.

We're excited for our first canvass! Location and sign-up info coming SOON!

Michaela for Tennessee Canvassing Launch!

We're hitting the doors for the very first time as Team Michaela! Help us connect with voters across Knox County, training provided and no experience necessary. Just bring your walking shoes!

First Canvass!

Camp Cavalry Phone Bank

Phone Bank for Michaela on 4/14

Phone Bank for Michaela on 3/3

Meet Michaela Barnett in Cumberland Gap for an evening of conversation and community. Learn how we're doing things differently as well as sign-up to volunteer for what we know works. Please bring a friend, a question or two, and your hope for a better East Tennessee!

Meet & Greet in Cumberland Gap

Michaela for TN Canvass 4/11

Join Team Michaela as we hit the doors in Knox County! Help us bring Michaela's message directly to voters across the district. Training provided, no experience necessary. Just show up and bring your walking shoes!

Meet Michaela at the Lighthouse Fundraiser!

Join Michaela Barnett and the volunteer Cavalry for an evening of conversation and community.&nbsp;Michaela is excited to meet you, share remarks, and answer your questions.&nbsp;Please bring a friend or two, your questions, and your hope for a better East Tennessee!

Meet Michaela at the Lighthouse Fundraiser

East Tennessee is a place that values hard work, family, and fairness, and our immigration system should reflect that.&nbsp; Our immigration system should reflect those values through secure and modernized borders, fair and humane processing, and a practical path to citizenship for people who play by the rules and contribute to our communities.&nbsp; The United States is a nation of immigrants who come here seeking a better life for themselves and their families, and to contribute to our nation in the process. I know this firsthand because I am proudly married to one.What I’ll work for in Congress to fix it:<ul><li>Fund a just and humane immigration system to remove the backlog of immigration cases</li><li>Return ICE to 2024 funding levels and mandate comprehensive training and background checks</li><li>Pass legislation to modernize and secure our borders</li><li>Create practical paths to citizenship for the people who play by the rules and contribute to our communities</li><li>Hold public officials, including ICE agents, accountable for their actions by requiring identification just like our local law enforcement</li><li>Prosecute federal agents who break the law</li><li>Upgrade our temporary worker programs to fill essential roles in regions with low unemployment</li><li>Support policies to help those fleeing danger and violence settle into our communities</li></ul>

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Common Sense, Dignified Immigration

Education is the foundation for our future. Every child and young person deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential.&nbsp; But today, we are failing our students and our educators. Our schools are struggling. We're facing an administration that has all but shuttered the <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/3/21/why-is-trump-dismantling-the-department-of-education-and-whats-next">Department of Education</a>, a national teacher shortage that's <a href="https://foxchattanooga.com/news/local/with-parts-of-tennessee-facing-teacher-shortages-experts-share-how-to-improve-retention">impacting Tennessee</a>, <a href="https://tnscore.org/assets/documents/COVID-19-Impact-Memo-4_Digital-Divide.pdf">unequal access to technology</a>, and <a href="https://edlawcenter.org/research/making-the-grade-2021-state-profiles/?utm_campaign=PR&amp;utm_medium=Referral&amp;utm_source=%7bBEP+Inadequate+Says+NPEF%7d">school funding per student that's 44th in the country</a>. Here in Tennessee, the voucher program is stripping our public schools of the already limited resources they need to educate the next generation. I am committed to building an education system that allows every child to learn, grow, and thrive.What I’ll work for in Congress to fix it:<ul><li>Invest in educators by raising salaries to recruit the best and brightest minds to teach our children</li><li>Cap student loan interest rates to make a quality education affordable for every young person</li><li>Expand dual enrollment funding to reduce the costs of attending higher education</li><li>Lower cost barriers for trade and vocational education to diversify the workforce and prepare for the economy of the future</li></ul>

Invest in Education

Want to walk with Team Michaela in a neighborhood parade to connect with voters and show community support? Please dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes!We will be provided with more specific line up times, parking information, and expectations as we get closer tot he event!&nbsp;

Knoxville St. Patrick's Day Parade 

We're looking forward to the St. Patrick's Day Parade! Sign up if you'd like to volunteer to walk next to Michaela for TN's vehicle and some special guests!

Every person deserves the freedom to make decisions about if, when, and how to grow their families without interference from politicians. I believe in the value of life, and that new parents deserve to be supported, not ignored, while they raise their children. Right now, Tennessee has the <a href="https://www.wkrn.com/news/tennessee-news/tn-highest-maternal-mortality-rate-in-country-cdc-data/">highest maternal mortality rate in the country</a>, medical providers are <a href="https://feminist.org/news/new-study-shows-abortion-bans-are-driving-doctors-out/">fleeing our state</a>, and politicians are trying to control our bodies.What I’ll work for in Congress to fix it:<ul><li>Restore and protect the right to abortion</li><li>Defend access to contraception and fertility treatment</li><li>Rebuild and modernize our maternal healthcare infrastructure&nbsp;</li><li>Fund research to identify best practices in caring for pregnant women</li><li>Support paid parental leave so parents don’t have to choose between financial security and raising children</li><li>Expand access to quality, affordable childcare programs in East Tennessee so parents can work without choosing between their careers and their children</li></ul>

Reproductive Freedom

Camp Cavalry Phone Bank

Every American deserves the basic rights and protections enshrined in our Constitution without discrimination. Everyone should have access to the opportunity to build careers, raise families, and contribute to their communities in the same ways.&nbsp; Unfortunately, the Trump administration is rolling back protections, targeting transgender youth, and emboldening discrimination in every corner of our society. In East Tennessee, our LGBTQ+ neighbors are being told they don't deserve the basic rights and protections enshrined in our Constitution.What I’ll work for in Congress to fix it:<ul><li>Eradicate discrimination in law, employment, housing, schools, adoption, and the tax code against LGBTQIA+ individuals</li><li>Ban the harmful practice of conversion therapy</li><li>Dedicate suicide-prevention resources to the LGBTQIA+ community</li></ul>

LGBTQIA+ Rights

Meet & Greet at The Empty Cup

Meet Michaela Barnett at The Empty Cup! We're gathering to discuss what's working, what's not, and how we can build a government that actually serves the people of TN-02. Bring your questions and your ideas!

Michaela for TN Canvass 4/18

Join Team Michaela as we hit the doors in Blount County! Help us bring Michaela's message directly to voters across the district. Training provided, no experience necessary — just show up and bring your walking shoes!

The AI revolution should benefit our entire economy, not just the richest among us. Estimates show that AI could <a href="https://www.nexford.edu/insights/how-will-ai-affect-jobs">automate up to 30% of jobs in the next five years</a>, hurting working families while making the ultra-rich richer. Data centers strain our power grids and environment while allowing private companies to access and analyze your data at the click of a button. I will fight to protect your rights and wellbeing in the face of this AI technology.What I’ll work for in Congress to fix it:<ul><li>Prevent companies from using AI to promote their own products or analyze your data to price gouge you</li><li>Support research of the impact of AI on the workforce</li><li>Fund research into the trustworthiness of AI systems</li><li>Ensure that companies reveal how AI is affecting their hiring and firing practices</li><li>Break up big tech monopolies</li><li>Mandate environmental standards on AI data centers&nbsp;</li><li>Invest AI-driven productivity gains into education, infrastructure, and healthcare</li></ul>

Regulate AI

Phone Bank for Michaela on 4/7

Camp Cavalry 4/1

Learn the basics of voter outreach - phone banking, canvassing, and how to have great conversations with voters. No experience needed! After, stick around and build community with fellow Cavalry members!

Tinca Tinca Benefit Concert!

JOIN TINCA TINCA, ALL SIGNS POINT NORTH, AND SAM ROSOLINA&nbsp;FOR A BENEFIT CONCERT FOR MICHAELA FOR TENNESSEE!Join us for&nbsp;an evening of mirth, good people, and great music as we rally behind Michaela Barnett for TN-02. We're raising funds, raising awareness, and raising the bar for what East Tennessee can be! Doors open at 5. Show is 6 - 9.

Phone Bank for Michaela on 3/31

Camp Cavalry Phone Bank 3/31

Phone Bank for Michaela on 4/2

Michaela for TN Canvass 4/25

We're hitting the doors with Team Michaela! Help us connect with voters across Loudon County. Training provided, no experience necessary — just show up and bring your walking shoes!

Knox Young Dems Launch

Join us for the official launch of Knox Young Dems! We’re excited to join for an exciting evening joined by Michaela, Rep. Justin Pearson, Rep. Aftyn Behn, and local leaders as we build the movement for change in East Tennessee.

Phone Bank for Michaela on 3/10

East Tennessee is one of the most beautiful places in the world, and we must protect our mountains, rivers, skies, and farmland from exploitative corporate interests. But corporate polluters care more about their profits than protecting the places they do business in. They leave our communities to deal with dirty air, contaminated water, and the economic fallout of climate change. We don't have to choose between a clean, healthy environment and an economy that works for the American people – that's a binary that only serves corporate profits, not people.What I’ll work for in Congress to fix it:<ul><li>Hold corporations accountable for the pollution that they and their products cause</li><li>Fund vocational training for new workers and transitioning industries</li><li>Incentivize clean energy growth and investment in East Tennessee&nbsp;</li><li>Fight for appropriations that invest in solar, wind, battery storage, and advanced nuclear in East Tennessee&nbsp;</li><li>Bring good paying clean energy jobs to the region through grants and tax credits tied to creating union jobs</li><li>Protect East Tennesseans from rising utilities bills caused by AI data centers</li><li>Set federal clean energy targets to ensure that future generations can enjoy our beautiful home</li></ul>

Protect Our Environment

Karaoke with Michaela 🎤🎵

Grab the mic and support the campaign! Join us for a night of karaoke, community, and good vibes. Ticket holders get exclusive meet and greet and karaoke time with Michaela from 6-8pm, then there's open karaoke fun from 8-10pm!Sing your favorite songs, meet your neighbors, and help flip TN-02!

Phone Bank for Michaela on 4/16

Camp Cavalry 3/4

Dozens of people attended a government shutdown town hall in Knoxville on Wednesday night. The event was hosted by Democrat Michaela Barnett, who is running for Republican Representative Tim Burchett's congressional seat.&nbsp;

Rep. Tim Burchett declines to attend a government shutdown town hall he was invited to in Knoxville

Joint Canvass with Michaela for TN & Brandon Huckaby for Commission

Join Team Michaela and Team Huckaby for a joint canvass in Knox County! We're hitting the doors together to connect with voters across the district. Training provided, no experience necessary; bring a friend and your walking shoes!

Phone Bank for Michaela on 3/5

Phone Bank for Michaela on 4/30

Hike with Michaela for Tennessee

Hike with Team Michaela on an east Tellico lakeshore trail. We’ll start at the Antioch Parking and Trailhead at 1pm. Bring some water, your hiking shoes, and a friend to meet Michaela and enjoy a walk with Tennessee’s next Congressional representative!

Hike with WATeR and Michaela for TN-02

Phone Bank for Michaela on 4/21

Phone Bank for Michaela on 4/28

Phone Bank for Michaela on 4/48

Every American should have access to housing that they can afford. The United States has a <a href="https://investors.zillowgroup.com/investors/news-and-events/news/news-details/2025/US-housing-deficit-grew-to-4-7-million-despite-construction-surge/default.aspx">4.7 million housing unit shortage</a>, and families in East Tennessee are being priced out of their hometowns. Young people can't afford to buy their first home, seniors are losing their housing, and working families are spending more than half their income on rent.We are facing a massive housing crisis, driving up rent and home prices, and pushing people out of their homes and out of our communities.What I’ll work for in Congress to fix it:<ul><li>Reduce barriers to housing construction by modernizing land use and zoning laws</li><li>Lower the cost to building low income housing projects</li><li>Invest in our construction workforce through vocational training programs</li><li>Fund innovative community projects to build better homes faster </li><li>Support rural affordable housing programs</li><li>Expand the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program to build more affordable units</li><li>Get private equity out of the housing market by capping how many residential units corporations and foreign investors can own</li></ul>Housing is a human right, not a commodity for Wall Street to manipulate. When families have stable, affordable housing, entire communities thrive.

Affordable Housing for All

Phone Bank for Michaela on 3/12

While gun rights are a highly politicized issue, I believe in common-sense, evidence-driven gun policy. I am committed to protecting our communities from gun violence, while preserving 2nd Amendment rights.&nbsp; Still, today <a href="https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2024/guns-remain-leading-cause-of-death-for-children-and-teens">firearms are the leading cause of death for children and teenagers</a>. Tennessee has the <a href="https://publichealth.jhu.edu/center-for-gun-violence-solutions/data/state-gun-violence-data/tennessee">6th</a> highest gun death rate in the country. One Tennessean is killed by a gun every <a href="https://publichealth.jhu.edu/center-for-gun-violence-solutions/data/state-gun-violence-data/tennessee">6 hours</a>. This is <a href="https://usafacts.org/answers/how-many-people-die-from-gun-related-injuries-in-the-us-each-month/state/tennessee/">59%</a> higher than the national average.What I’ll work for in Congress to fix it:<ul><li>Fund research on gun violence prevention strategies to help our government and our communities make evidence-based decisions on how to protect our country and ourselves</li><li>Support bipartisan legislation to enhance background checks, protecting our communities by making sure that dangerous individuals do not get access to firearms</li><li>Continuing to listen to gun owners and gun safety experts to learn about your needs and experiences to solve this crisis in our communities without infringing on your 2nd Amendment rights</li></ul>

Responsible Gun Ownership

Fresh off a surprising showing in Middle Tennessee, Democrats in East Tennessee say they're determined to build on the momentum created when Aftyn Behn cut Republicans' margin in a district carefully crafted to be an unassailable GOP citadel.

East Tennessee Democrats hope to build on special election momentum

Speed Friending

Ready to make new progressive friends in Knoxville? Join us and Knox Social Club for Speed Friending at Crafty Bastard Brewery West! Meet like-minded folks, share good conversation, and connect over craft beer. Whether you're new to the area or just want to expand your circle, this is the perfect low-pressure way to find your people.

Speed Friending!

Karaoke with Michaela 

Sing your heart out and support the campaign! Join us for karaoke night with Michaela - VIP ticket holders get an exclusive pre-event session, then stick around for open karaoke where everyone's invited to join the fun.

After a lifetime of hard work, every person deserves to retire with financial security and peace of mind.Right now, we have seniors choosing between groceries and prescription medications. We have 75-year-olds working at grocery stores not because they want to stay busy, but because they can't afford to live on savings and Social Security alone.What I’ll work for in Congress to fix it:<ul><li>Expand Social Security benefits and fight against any privatization efforts</li><li>Allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices</li><li>Cap out-of-pocket costs for medications for seniors</li><li>Ensure that all Americans have access to health insurance they can afford</li><li>Bring back and increase funding for senior meal programs, transportation services, and home healthcare</li><li>Prevent Social Security from going bankrupt by making the wealthiest Americans pay their fair share in taxes and removing the social security income cap</li></ul>

Age with Dignity

Meet & Greet at Camp Honey

Meet Michaela Barnett at Camp Honey for an afternoon of conversation and community. Whether you're curious about her vision for TN-02, want to share what matters to you, or just want to meet fellow neighbors who care about our future, this is the perfect way to get involved.

Our Tennessee Volunteers, our nation’s veterans, are NOT expendable. We must serve those who put their lives on the line to protect us. Right now, too many of our service members face an uphill battle when they come home. They're dealing with PTSD, physical injuries, and the challenge of translating military skills into civilian careers – often without the support system they need.We shouldn't put our soldiers in harm's way without a clear mission and exit strategy, and we owe them comprehensive support when they return.What I’ll work for in Congress to fix it:<ul><li>Increase VA funding, ensuring veterans get the care they need and deserve</li><li>Fully fund veteran mental health and suicide prevention programs&nbsp;</li><li>Help veterans involved in the criminal justice system get the resources they need</li><li>Provide job training and job protections for veterans to help them get and stay employed</li><li>Ensure that veterans and their families can afford educational opportunities that they choose</li><li>End authorizations for endless foreign wars that put service members in harm's way</li></ul>