Here are the candidates who came (and didn't) to the forums in six Tennessee cities

David Plazas, Nashville Tennessean

July 19, 2022 at 6:39 PM·2 min read

The USA TODAY Network Tennessee hosted candidate forums over two months in six cities across all three Grand Divisions in partnership with the University of Tennessee system and Lipscomb University.

Candidates for governor and nine congressional districts competing in the Aug. 4 primary election were invited to attend.

Here is who came (and who didn't):

May 12: University of Tennessee Knoxville

Gubernatorial candidates

Gov. Bill Lee, Republican (he committed to one forum and this was it)
Jason Martin, Democrat
JB Smiley, Democrat

Carnita Atwater, Democrat, was unable to attend.

More: Learn about candidates running in the Aug. 4 Tennessee primary election | Editorial

Congressional candidates — District 1

Cameron Parsons, Democrat

Rep. Diana Harshbarger, Republican incumbent's office informed us she was not available

Congressional candidates — District 2

Mark Harmon, Democrat

Rep. Tim Burchett, Republican incumbent's office informed us he was in D.C.

Hear more Tennessee Voices: Get the weekly opinion newsletter for insightful and thought provoking columns.

May 19: Lipscomb University (Nashville)

Gubernatorial candidates

Carnita Atwater, Democrat
Jason Martin, Democrat
JB Smiley, Democrat

More: Tennessee Democratic gubernatorial candidates criticize school vouchers at Nashville forum

Congressional candidates — District 5

Heidi Campbell, Democrat
Geni Batchelor, Republican
Natisha Brooks, Republican
Timothy Bruce Lee, Republican
Stewart Parks, Republican
Robby Starbuck, Republican (At the time, he was challenging being thrown off the ballot; the Supreme Court ruled against him on June 10)
Tres Wittum, Republican

Republicans Jeff Beierlein, Beth Harwell, Andy Ogles and Kurt Winstead did not attend.

Congressional candidates — District 6

Rep. John Rose, Republican, did not attend

Congressional candidates — District 7

Odessa Kelly, Democrat

Rep. Mark E Green, Republican incumbent's office informed us he was in D.C.

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June 9: University of Tennessee Martin

Gubernatorial candidates

Jason Martin, Democrat
JB Smiley, Democrat
Carnita Atwater, Democrat

More: Democratic governor candidates debate issues of education, gun safety and Blue Oval City at UT Martin

Congressional candidates — District 8

Danny Ray Bridger Jr, Republican
Gary Dean Clouse, Republican
Bob Hendry, Republican
Lynnette P. Williams, Democrat

Tim McDonald, Democrat, did not attend

Rep. David Kustoff, Republican incumbent's office informed us he was in D.C.

June 16: University of Tennessee Health Science Center (Memphis)

Gubernatorial candidates

Carnita Atwater, Democrat
Jason Martin, Democrat
JB Smiley, Democrat

More: At Memphis forum, Democratic gubernatorial candidates criticize Lee over school vouchers

Congressional candidates — District 9

Until the day of the event, no other congressional candidate had confirmed their intent to participate with the moderator. Democrat M. Latroy Alexandria-Williams and Republican Charlotte Bergmann, were in the audience.

Rep. Steve Cohen, Democratic incumbent's office informed us he had travel conflicts

Republicans Leo AwGoWhat and Brown Dudley did not attend.

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June 30: University of Tennessee Chattanooga

Gubernatorial candidates

Jason Martin, Democrat
JB Smiley, Democrat

Carnita Atwater, Democrat, was unable to attend.

Congressional candidates — District 3

Sandy Casey, Republican
Meg Gorman, Democrat

Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, Republican incumbent's office informed us he was in D.C.

July 14: University of Tennessee Southern (Pulaski)

Gubernatorial candidates

Jason Martin, Democrat

Carnita Atwater and JB Smiley, Democrats, were unable to attend

More: Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jason Martin on healthcare costs, more at UT Southern

Congressional candidates — District 4

Wayne Steele, Democrat
Arnold J. White, Democrat

Rep. Scott DesJarlais, Republican incumbent's office informed us he was in D.C.

David Plazas is the director of opinion and engagement for the USA TODAY Network Tennessee. He is an editorial board member of The Tennessean. He hosts the Tennessee Voices videocast and curates the Tennessee Voices and Latino Tennessee Voices newsletters.. Call him at (615) 259-8063, email him at dplazas@tennessean.com or tweet to him at @davidplazas.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Which candidates came (and didn't) to forums in six Tennessee cities?

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May 12: University of Tennessee Knoxville

May 19: Lipscomb University (Nashville)

June 9: University of Tennessee Martin

June 16: University of Tennessee Health Science Center (Memphis)

June 30: University of Tennessee Chattanooga

July 14: University of Tennessee Southern (Pulaski)

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