# Tennessee's 2nd congressional district

The 2nd congressional district of Tennessee is a congressional district in East Tennessee. It has been represented by Republican Tim Burchett since January 2019. Although the district has taken many forms over the years, it has been centered on Knoxville since 1853. During the American Civil War era, the area was represented in Congress by Horace Maynard. Maynard switched parties many times but was pro-U.S. and did not resign from Congress when Tennessee seceded. Maynard entered Congress in 1857 (four years before the outbreak of the war) but did not leave entirely until 1875 (ten years after the war ended).
In the 1964 election, the district chose Knoxville mayor John Duncan, Sr. Duncan served for 23 years before he died in the summer of 1988. Following Duncan's death, the district elected his son, Jimmy. The younger Duncan served for over thirty years from late 1988 until his successor was sworn in early January 2019. Upon Jimmy Duncan's retirement, the district chose outgoing Knox County mayor Tim Burchett, who has served since January 2019.
The few Democratic pockets in the district are located in Knoxville, which has elected Democratic mayors consecutively since 2011, and sends Democratic legislators to the Tennessee General Assembly. However, they are no match for the overwhelming Republican bent of the rest of Knox County and the more suburban and rural areas. For example, Blount, Jefferson, and Grainger Counties are among the few counties in the country to have never supported a Democrat for president since the Civil War.
This district traditionally gives its members of Congress very long tenures in Washington, electing some of the few truly senior Southern Republican members before the 1950s. Since 1909, only seven people (not counting caretakers) have represented the district – Richard W. Austin, J. Will Taylor, John Jennings Jr., Howard Baker Sr., John Duncan Sr., Jimmy Duncan, and Burchett. All six of Burchett's predecessors have served at least ten years in Congress, with Taylor and the Duncans holding the seat for at least twenty years.

## Current boundaries

The district is located in East Tennessee and borders Kentucky and Virginia to the north and North Carolina to the south. For the 118th and successive Congresses (based on redistricting following the 2020 census), it contains all or portions of the following counties and communities:
Blount County (11)
    All 11 communities
Campbell County (3)
    Fincastle, Jellico, LaFollete (part; also 3rd)
Claiborne County (4)
    All 4 communities
Grainger County (3)
    All 3 communities
Jefferson County (1)
    Strawberry Plains
Knox County (7)
    All 7 communities
Loudon County (7)
    All 7 communities
Union County (3)
    All 3 communities

## History

The district is based in Knoxville and is largely coextensive with that city's metropolitan area. The area is known for being the home of the flagship campus for the University of Tennessee, hosting the 1982 World's Fair, and for being the headquarters for the Tennessee Valley Authority, Ruby Tuesday, and Pilot Flying J.
The 2nd is similar in character to the neighboring 1st. It has long been one of the safest districts in the nation for the Republican Party. No Democrat has represented the district since 1855, and Republicans have held the district continuously since 1867 — the longest time any party has retained any district. The Democrats waged some competitive races in the district during the 1930s. However, they have not put up a substantive candidate since 1964 and have only managed 40 percent of the vote twice since then.
Most of its residents supported the United States over the Confederacy during the American Civil War; it was one of four districts whose members of Congress did not resign when Tennessee declared secession from the United States in 1861. The area's residents immediately identified with the Republicans after hostilities ceased. Much of that sentiment was derived from the region's economic base of small-scale farming, with little or no use for slavery; thus, voters were mostly indifferent or hostile to the concerns of plantation owners and other landed interests farther west in the state, who aligned themselves with the Democratic Party. This loyalty has persisted through good times and bad ever since, despite the vast ideological changes in both political parties since that time.

## Recent election results from statewide races

| Year | Office | Results |
| 2008 | President | McCain 64% - 34% |
| 2012 | President | Romney 69% - 31% |
| 2016 | President | Trump 65% - 30% |
| 2018 | Senate | Blackburn 57% - 42% |
| 2018 | Governor | Lee 63% - 35% |
| 2020 | President | Trump 64% - 34% |
| 2020 | Senate | Hagerty 66% - 32% |
| 2022 | Governor | Lee 67% - 31% |
| 2024 | President | Trump 66% - 32% |

## List of members representing the district

| Member | Party | Years | Cong ress | Electoral history | District location |
| District established March 4, 1805 ||||||
| George W. Campbell (Nashville) | Democratic-Republican | March 4, 1805 – March 3, 1809 | 9th 10th | Redistricted from the at-large district and re-elected in 1805. Re-elected in 1807. Retired to become judge of the Tennessee Supreme Court. | 1805–1813 "Hamilton district" |
| Robert Weakley (Nashville) | Democratic-Republican | March 4, 1809 – March 3, 1811 | 11th | Elected in 1809. Retired. | 1805–1813 "Hamilton district" |
| John Sevier (Knoxville) | Democratic-Republican | March 4, 1811 – September 24, 1815 | 12th 13th 14th | Elected in 1811. Re-elected in 1813. Re-elected in 1815. Died. | 1805–1813 "Hamilton district" |
| John Sevier (Knoxville) | Democratic-Republican | March 4, 1811 – September 24, 1815 | 12th 13th 14th | Elected in 1811. Re-elected in 1813. Re-elected in 1815. Died. | 1813–1823 [data missing] |
| Vacant | Vacant | September 24, 1815 – December 8, 1815 | 14th | | 1813–1823 [data missing] |
| William G. Blount (Knoxville) | Democratic-Republican | December 8, 1815 – March 3, 1819 | 14th 15th | Elected to finish Sevier's term. Re-elected in 1817. Retired. | 1813–1823 [data missing] |
| John A. Cocke (Rutledge) | Democratic-Republican | March 4, 1819 – March 3, 1825 | 16th 17th 18th 19th | Elected in 1819. Re-elected in 1821. Re-elected in 1823. Re-elected in 1825. Retired. | 1813–1823 [data missing] |
| John A. Cocke (Rutledge) | Democratic-Republican | March 4, 1819 – March 3, 1825 | 16th 17th 18th 19th | Elected in 1819. Re-elected in 1821. Re-elected in 1823. Re-elected in 1825. Retired. | 1823–1833 [data missing] |
| John A. Cocke (Rutledge) | Jacksonian | March 4, 1825 – March 3, 1827 | 16th 17th 18th 19th | Elected in 1819. Re-elected in 1821. Re-elected in 1823. Re-elected in 1825. Retired. | 1823–1833 [data missing] |
| Pryor Lea (Knoxville) | Jacksonian | March 4, 1827 – March 3, 1831 | 20th 21st | Elected in 1827. Re-elected in 1829. Lost re-election. | 1823–1833 [data missing] |
| Thomas D. Arnold (Campbell Station) | Anti-Jacksonian | March 4, 1831 – March 3, 1833 | 22nd | Elected in 1831. Redistricted to the 1st district and lost re-election. | 1823–1833 [data missing] |
| Samuel Bunch (Rutledge) | Jacksonian | March 4, 1833 – March 3, 1835 | 23rd 24th | Elected in 1833. Re-elected in 1835. Lost re-election. | 1833–1843 [data missing] |
| Samuel Bunch (Rutledge) | Anti-Jacksonian | March 4, 1835 – March 3, 1837 | 23rd 24th | Elected in 1833. Re-elected in 1835. Lost re-election. | 1833–1843 [data missing] |
| Abraham McClellan (Blountville) | Democratic | March 4, 1837 – March 3, 1843 | 25th 26th 27th | Elected in 1837. Re-elected in 1839. Re-elected in 1841. Retired. | 1833–1843 [data missing] |
| William T. Senter (Panther Springs) | Whig | March 4, 1843 – March 3, 1845 | 28th | Elected in 1842. Retired. | 1843–1853 [data missing] |
| William M. Cocke (Rutledge) | Whig | March 4, 1845 – March 3, 1849 | 29th 30th | Elected in 1845. Re-elected in 1847. Lost re-election as a Democrat. | 1843–1853 [data missing] |
| Albert G. Watkins (Panther Springs) | Whig | March 4, 1849 – March 3, 1853 | 31st 32nd | Elected in 1849. Re-elected in 1851. Redistricted to the 1st district and lost re-election. | 1843–1853 [data missing] |
| William M. Churchwell (Knoxville) | Democratic | March 4, 1853 – March 3, 1855 | 33rd | Redistricted from the 3rd district and re-elected in 1853. Retired. | 1853–1863 [data missing] |
| William H. Sneed (Knoxville) | Know Nothing | March 4, 1855 – March 3, 1857 | 34th | Elected in 1855. Retired. | 1853–1863 [data missing] |
| Horace Maynard (Knoxville) | Know Nothing | March 4, 1857 – March 3, 1859 | 35th 36th 37th | Elected in 1857. Re-elected in 1859. Re-elected in 1861. Could not seek re-election, as state was under Confederate occupation. | 1853–1863 [data missing] |
| Horace Maynard (Knoxville) | Opposition | March 4, 1859 – March 3, 1861 | 35th 36th 37th | Elected in 1857. Re-elected in 1859. Re-elected in 1861. Could not seek re-election, as state was under Confederate occupation. | 1853–1863 [data missing] |
| Horace Maynard (Knoxville) | Union | March 4, 1861 – March 3, 1863 | 35th 36th 37th | Elected in 1857. Re-elected in 1859. Re-elected in 1861. Could not seek re-election, as state was under Confederate occupation. | 1853–1863 [data missing] |
| District inactive | District inactive | March 4, 1863 – July 24, 1866 | 38th 39th | Civil War and Reconstruction | Civil War and Reconstruction |
| Horace Maynard (Knoxville) | Unconditional Union | July 24, 1866 – March 3, 1867 | 39th 40th 41st 42nd | Elected in 1865. Re-elected in 1867. Re-elected in 1868. Re-elected in 1870. Redistricted to the at-large district. | 1866–1873 [data missing] |
| Horace Maynard (Knoxville) | Republican | March 4, 1867 – March 3, 1873 | 39th 40th 41st 42nd | Elected in 1865. Re-elected in 1867. Re-elected in 1868. Re-elected in 1870. Redistricted to the at-large district. | 1866–1873 [data missing] |
| Jacob M. Thornburgh (Knoxville) | Republican | March 4, 1873 – March 3, 1879 | 43rd 44th 45th | Elected in 1872. Re-elected in 1874. Re-elected in 1876. Retired. | 1873–1883 [data missing] |
| Leonidas C. Houk (Knoxville) | Republican | March 4, 1879 – May 25, 1891 | 46th 47th 48th 49th 50th 51st 52nd | Elected in 1878. Re-elected in 1880. Re-elected in 1882. Re-elected in 1884. Re-elected in 1886. Re-elected in 1888. Re-elected in 1890. Died. | 1873–1883 [data missing] |
| 1883–1893 [data missing] | | | 46th 47th 48th 49th 50th 51st 52nd | Elected in 1878. Re-elected in 1880. Re-elected in 1882. Re-elected in 1884. Re-elected in 1886. Re-elected in 1888. Re-elected in 1890. Died. |
| 1883–1893 [data missing] | Vacant | Vacant | May 25, 1891 – December 7, 1891 | 52nd | |
| 1883–1893 [data missing] | John C. Houk (Knoxville) | Republican | December 7, 1891 – March 3, 1895 | 52nd 53rd | Elected to finish his father's term. Re-elected in 1892. Lost renomination and lost re-election as an Independent Republican. |
| 1893–1903 [data missing] | | | | 52nd 53rd | Elected to finish his father's term. Re-elected in 1892. Lost renomination and lost re-election as an Independent Republican. |
| 1893–1903 [data missing] | Henry R. Gibson (Knoxville) | Republican | March 4, 1895 – March 3, 1905 | 54th 55th 56th 57th 58th | Elected in 1894. Re-elected in 1896. Re-elected in 1898. Re-elected in 1900. Re-elected in 1902. Retired. |
| 1903–1913 [data missing] | | | | 54th 55th 56th 57th 58th | Elected in 1894. Re-elected in 1896. Re-elected in 1898. Re-elected in 1900. Re-elected in 1902. Retired. |
| 1903–1913 [data missing] | Nathan W. Hale (Knoxville) | Republican | March 4, 1905 – March 3, 1909 | 59th 60th | Elected in 1904. Re-elected in 1906. Lost re-election. |
| 1903–1913 [data missing] | Richard W. Austin (Knoxville) | Republican | March 4, 1909 – March 3, 1919 | 61st 62nd 63rd 64th 65th | Elected in 1908. Re-elected in 1910. Re-elected in 1912. Re-elected in 1914. Re-elected in 1916. Lost renomination and lost re-election as an Independent. |
| 1913–1923 [data missing] | | | | 61st 62nd 63rd 64th 65th | Elected in 1908. Re-elected in 1910. Re-elected in 1912. Re-elected in 1914. Re-elected in 1916. Lost renomination and lost re-election as an Independent. |
| 1913–1923 [data missing] | J. Will Taylor (LaFollette) | Republican | March 4, 1919 – November 14, 1939 | 66th 67th 68th 69th 70th 71st 72nd 73rd 74th 75th 76th | Elected in 1918. Re-elected in 1920. Re-elected in 1922. Re-elected in 1924. Re-elected in 1926. Re-elected in 1928. Re-elected in 1930. Re-elected in 1932. Re-elected in 1934. Re-elected in 1936. Re-elected in 1938. Died. |
| 1923–1933 [data missing] | | | | 66th 67th 68th 69th 70th 71st 72nd 73rd 74th 75th 76th | Elected in 1918. Re-elected in 1920. Re-elected in 1922. Re-elected in 1924. Re-elected in 1926. Re-elected in 1928. Re-elected in 1930. Re-elected in 1932. Re-elected in 1934. Re-elected in 1936. Re-elected in 1938. Died. |
| 1933–1943 [data missing] | | | | 66th 67th 68th 69th 70th 71st 72nd 73rd 74th 75th 76th | Elected in 1918. Re-elected in 1920. Re-elected in 1922. Re-elected in 1924. Re-elected in 1926. Re-elected in 1928. Re-elected in 1930. Re-elected in 1932. Re-elected in 1934. Re-elected in 1936. Re-elected in 1938. Died. |
| 1933–1943 [data missing] | Vacant | Vacant | November 14, 1939 – December 30, 1939 | 76th | |
| 1933–1943 [data missing] | John Jennings Jr. (Knoxville) | Republican | December 30, 1939 – January 3, 1951 | 76th 77th 78th 79th 80th 81st | Elected to finish Taylor's term. Re-elected in 1940. Re-elected in 1942. Re-elected in 1944. Re-elected in 1946. Re-elected in 1948. Lost renomination. |
| 1943–1953 [data missing] | | | | 76th 77th 78th 79th 80th 81st | Elected to finish Taylor's term. Re-elected in 1940. Re-elected in 1942. Re-elected in 1944. Re-elected in 1946. Re-elected in 1948. Lost renomination. |
| 1943–1953 [data missing] | Howard H. Baker (Knoxville) | Republican | January 3, 1951 – January 7, 1964 | 82nd 83rd 84th 85th 86th 87th 88th | Elected in 1950. Re-elected in 1952. Re-elected in 1954. Re-elected in 1956. Re-elected in 1958. Re-elected in 1960. Re-elected in 1962. Died. |
| 1953–1963 [data missing] | | | | 82nd 83rd 84th 85th 86th 87th 88th | Elected in 1950. Re-elected in 1952. Re-elected in 1954. Re-elected in 1956. Re-elected in 1958. Re-elected in 1960. Re-elected in 1962. Died. |
| 1963–1973 [data missing] | | | | 82nd 83rd 84th 85th 86th 87th 88th | Elected in 1950. Re-elected in 1952. Re-elected in 1954. Re-elected in 1956. Re-elected in 1958. Re-elected in 1960. Re-elected in 1962. Died. |
| 1963–1973 [data missing] | Vacant | Vacant | January 7, 1964 – March 10, 1964 | 88th | |
| 1963–1973 [data missing] | Irene Baker (Knoxville) | Republican | March 10, 1964 – January 3, 1965 | 88th | Elected to finish her husband's term. Retired. |
| 1963–1973 [data missing] | John Duncan Sr. (Knoxville) | Republican | January 3, 1965 – June 21, 1988 | 89th 90th 91st 92nd 93rd 94th 95th 96th 97th 98th 99th 100th | Elected in 1964. Re-elected in 1966. Re-elected in 1968. Re-elected in 1970. Re-elected in 1972. Re-elected in 1974. Re-elected in 1976. Re-elected in 1978. Re-elected in 1980. Re-elected in 1982. Re-elected in 1984. Re-elected in 1986. Died. |
| 1973–1983 [data missing] | John Duncan Sr. (Knoxville) | Republican | January 3, 1965 – June 21, 1988 | 89th 90th 91st 92nd 93rd 94th 95th 96th 97th 98th 99th 100th | Elected in 1964. Re-elected in 1966. Re-elected in 1968. Re-elected in 1970. Re-elected in 1972. Re-elected in 1974. Re-elected in 1976. Re-elected in 1978. Re-elected in 1980. Re-elected in 1982. Re-elected in 1984. Re-elected in 1986. Died. |
| 1983–1993 [data missing] | John Duncan Sr. (Knoxville) | Republican | January 3, 1965 – June 21, 1988 | 89th 90th 91st 92nd 93rd 94th 95th 96th 97th 98th 99th 100th | Elected in 1964. Re-elected in 1966. Re-elected in 1968. Re-elected in 1970. Re-elected in 1972. Re-elected in 1974. Re-elected in 1976. Re-elected in 1978. Re-elected in 1980. Re-elected in 1982. Re-elected in 1984. Re-elected in 1986. Died. |
| 1983–1993 [data missing] | Vacant | Vacant | June 21, 1988 – November 8, 1988 | 100th | |
| 1983–1993 [data missing] | Jimmy Duncan (Knoxville) | Republican | November 8, 1988 – January 3, 2019 | 100th 101st 102nd 103rd 104th 105th 106th 107th 108th 109th 110th 111th 112th 113th 114th 115th | Elected to finish his father's term. Also elected to the next full term. Re-elected in 1990. Re-elected in 1992. Re-elected in 1994. Re-elected in 1996. Re-elected in 1998. Re-elected in 2000. Re-elected in 2002. Re-elected in 2004. Re-elected in 2006. Re-elected in 2008. Re-elected in 2010. Re-elected in 2012. Re-elected in 2014. Re-elected in 2016. Retired. |
| 1993–2003 [data missing] | Jimmy Duncan (Knoxville) | Republican | November 8, 1988 – January 3, 2019 | 100th 101st 102nd 103rd 104th 105th 106th 107th 108th 109th 110th 111th 112th 113th 114th 115th | Elected to finish his father's term. Also elected to the next full term. Re-elected in 1990. Re-elected in 1992. Re-elected in 1994. Re-elected in 1996. Re-elected in 1998. Re-elected in 2000. Re-elected in 2002. Re-elected in 2004. Re-elected in 2006. Re-elected in 2008. Re-elected in 2010. Re-elected in 2012. Re-elected in 2014. Re-elected in 2016. Retired. |
| 2003–2013 | Jimmy Duncan (Knoxville) | Republican | November 8, 1988 – January 3, 2019 | 100th 101st 102nd 103rd 104th 105th 106th 107th 108th 109th 110th 111th 112th 113th 114th 115th | Elected to finish his father's term. Also elected to the next full term. Re-elected in 1990. Re-elected in 1992. Re-elected in 1994. Re-elected in 1996. Re-elected in 1998. Re-elected in 2000. Re-elected in 2002. Re-elected in 2004. Re-elected in 2006. Re-elected in 2008. Re-elected in 2010. Re-elected in 2012. Re-elected in 2014. Re-elected in 2016. Retired. |
| 2013–2023 | Jimmy Duncan (Knoxville) | Republican | November 8, 1988 – January 3, 2019 | 100th 101st 102nd 103rd 104th 105th 106th 107th 108th 109th 110th 111th 112th 113th 114th 115th | Elected to finish his father's term. Also elected to the next full term. Re-elected in 1990. Re-elected in 1992. Re-elected in 1994. Re-elected in 1996. Re-elected in 1998. Re-elected in 2000. Re-elected in 2002. Re-elected in 2004. Re-elected in 2006. Re-elected in 2008. Re-elected in 2010. Re-elected in 2012. Re-elected in 2014. Re-elected in 2016. Retired. |
| 2013–2023 | Tim Burchett (Knoxville) | Republican | January 3, 2019 – present | 116th 117th 118th 119th | Elected in 2018. Re-elected in 2020. Re-elected in 2022. Re-elected in 2024. |
| 2023–present | Tim Burchett (Knoxville) | Republican | January 3, 2019 – present | 116th 117th 118th 119th | Elected in 2018. Re-elected in 2020. Re-elected in 2022. Re-elected in 2024. |

## Recent election results
### 2012

Tennessee's 2nd congressional district, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | John J. Duncan, Jr. (incumbent) | 196,894 | 74.4 |
| | Democratic | Troy Goodale | 54,522 | 20.6 |
| | Green | Norris Dryer | 5,733 | 2.2 |
| | Libertarian | Greg Samples | 4,382 | 1.7 |
| | Independent | Brandon Stewart | 2,974 | 1.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 264,505 | 100 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2014

Tennessee's 2nd congressional district, 2014 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | John J. Duncan, Jr. (incumbent) | 120,833 | 72.5 |
| | Democratic | Bob Scott | 37,612 | 22.6 |
| | Green | Norris Dryer | 4,033 | 2.4 |
| | Independent | Casey Adam Gouge | 4,223 | 2.5 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 166,701 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2016

Tennessee's 2nd congressional district, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | John J. Duncan, Jr. (incumbent) | 212,455 | 75.6 |
| | Democratic | Stuart Starr | 68,401 | 24.4 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 280,856 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2018

Tennessee's 2nd congressional district, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Tim Burchett | 172,856 | 65.9 |
| | Democratic | Renee Hoyos | 86,668 | 33.1 |
| | Independent) | Greg Samples | 967 | 0.4 |
| | Independent | Jeffrey Grunau | 657 | 0.3 |
| | Independent | Marc Whitmire | 637 | 0.2 |
| | Independent | Keith LaTorre | 349 | 0.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 262,134 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2020

Tennessee's 2nd congressional district, 2020 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Tim Burchett (incumbent) | 238,907 | 67.6 |
| | Democratic | Renee Hoyos | 109,684 | 31.1 |
| | Independent | Matthew Campbell | 4,592 | 1.3 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 14 | 0.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 353,197 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2022

Tennessee's 2nd congressional district, 2022 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Tim Burchett (incumbent) | 141,089 | 67.9 |
| | Democratic | Mark Harmon | 66,673 | 32.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 207,762 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |