David Kustoff

In the 2024 House race for TN-8, David Kustoff (R) won with 72.3% of the vote, defeating Sarah Freeman (D) who received 25.6%. A third candidate also appeared on the ballot. David Kustoff's 46.8-point advantage over the runner-up confirmed a comfortable win.

As the incumbent, David Kustoff benefited from name recognition, established constituent services, and the roughly 2-3 point advantage that sitting members typically enjoy. The 2024 presidential election drove higher voter turnout, which can help or hurt down-ballot candidates depending on the top of the ticket. The wide margin suggests this district is firmly in the Republican column for the foreseeable future.

In the 2022 House race for TN-8, David Kustoff (R) won with 74.0% of the vote, defeating Lynnette P. Williams (D) who received 24.3%. 2 additional candidates split the remaining vote. David Kustoff's 49.7-point advantage over the runner-up confirmed a comfortable win.

As the incumbent, David Kustoff benefited from name recognition, established constituent services, and the roughly 2-3 point advantage that sitting members typically enjoy. As a Republican, David Kustoff benefited from the historical midterm penalty against the president's party — with a Democrat in the White House, the opposition typically gains seats. The wide margin suggests this district is firmly in the Republican column for the foreseeable future.

In the 2020 House race for TN-8, David Kustoff (R) won with 68.5% of the vote, defeating Erika Stotts Pearson (D) who received 29.5%. 2 additional candidates split the remaining vote. David Kustoff's 39.0-point advantage over the runner-up confirmed a comfortable win.

This was an open-seat race. Open seats typically attract stronger candidates and heavier spending from both parties. The 2020 presidential election drove higher voter turnout, which can help or hurt down-ballot candidates depending on the top of the ticket. The wide margin suggests this district is firmly in the Republican column for the foreseeable future.

In the 2018 House race for TN-08, David Kustoff (R) won with 67.7% of the vote, defeating Erika Stotts Pearson (D) who received 30.1%. A third candidate also appeared on the ballot. David Kustoff's 37.6-point advantage over the runner-up confirmed a comfortable win.

As the incumbent, David Kustoff benefited from name recognition, established constituent services, and the roughly 2-3 point advantage that sitting members typically enjoy. As a Republican, David Kustoff won despite the historical midterm penalty against the president's party (Republican Trump was in office).

In the 2016 House race for TN-08, David Kustoff (R) won with 68.8% of the vote, defeating Rickey Hobson (D) who received 25.1%. 5 additional candidates split the remaining vote. David Kustoff's 43.7-point advantage over the runner-up confirmed a comfortable win.

This was an open-seat race with no incumbent running — Stephen Lee Fincher (R) previously held the seat. Open seats typically attract stronger candidates and heavier spending from both parties. The 2016 presidential election drove higher voter turnout, which can help or hurt down-ballot candidates depending on the top of the ticket.