Heidi Kuhn

Heidi Kuhn earned a bachelor's degree from the University of New Mexico and a graduate degree from Christian Brothers University. Her career experience includes working with the government.[1]

U.S. House

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a lifelong public servant, community leader, and the Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk. Throughout my career, I have focused on delivering results, improving government, and expanding opportunities for the people I serve. I am running for Congress because West Tennessee deserves a representative who puts people before politics and focuses on the everyday issues that matter most—lowering costs, creating good-paying jobs, supporting our farmers, protecting access to healthcare, and strengthening our communities. I believe leadership is about listening, solving problems, and working across differences to deliver real results for the people of Tennessee's 8th District.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Lowering the cost of living for working families is my top priority. Families across West Tennessee are working hard but continue to struggle with the rising costs of groceries, housing, healthcare, child care, and other everyday expenses. Congress should focus on practical solutions that create good-paying jobs, support our farmers and small businesses, strengthen our local economy, and help families keep more of what they earn. I will focus on the kitchen-table issues that affect people's daily lives and work to ensure everyone has the opportunity to succeed.Supporting our farmers and strengthening rural communities is another top priority. Agriculture is the backbone of West Tennessee's economy, and our farmers deserve a representative who understands the challenges they face, from rising input costs and unpredictable markets to limited access to healthcare and infrastructure. I will work to protect family farms, expand economic opportunities in rural communities, improve infrastructure, and ensure our agricultural economy remains strong for future generations.Protecting workers' rights and supporting organized labor is a key priority. Every worker deserves fair wages, safe working conditions, and the freedom to organize and bargain collectively. Strong unions help build a strong middle class, strengthen local economies, and create pathways to good-paying jobs with benefits. I will stand up for working people and support policies that protect the right to organize, promote fair labor practices, and expand economic opportunity for all workers.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

One public policy I am especially passionate about is expanding access to second chances through criminal justice reform. Throughout my career in public service, I have seen how a past mistake can prevent someone from getting a job, securing housing, or providing for their family. I believe people who have earned a second chance should have a meaningful opportunity to rebuild their lives. I support expanding access to expungement, reducing unnecessary barriers to employment, and creating pathways that strengthen both families and communities while improving public safety.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

National Women's Political Caucus, Former Congressman Harold Ford, Sr., Former Congressman John Tanner, Congressman Steve Cohen, Mayor Paul Young, Mayor Craig Fitzhugh, Former Speaker Jimmy Naifeh, Former Representative Matt Kisber, Former Mayor Willie Herenton, Senator Heidi Campbell, Renowned Activist for Civil and Women's Rights, Jocie Wurzburg, Commissioners Charlie Caswell and Erica Sugarmon, Representative Dwayne Thompson, Representative Jesse Chism, Representative Larry Miller, Representative Paul Phalen, Senator Sara Kyle, and Mayor Rawls.

County mayor

Heidi Kuhn did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

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Campaign websiteKuhn's campaign website stated the following:Heidi's Vision for Shelby CountyHope for Safer NeighborhoodsEveryone deserves to feel safe in their home and in their neighborhood. Real safety starts with trust, prevention, and opportunity, not just policing.Hope for Stronger SchoolsEvery child in Shelby County deserves a future they can believe in. That begins with access to quality education from early learning to college and career pathways.Hope for Economic Development & DiversificationShelby County’s economy should work for everyone. By supporting small businesses, attracting new industries, and expanding access to real resources, we can build a future that is inclusive and strong.Hope for Better Job OpportunitiesPeople in Shelby County are ready to work. With the right training and meaningful connections, good jobs can be within reach for every resident.Hope for a More Attractive Shelby CountyA thriving community should look and feel like home. Clean parks, affordable housing, and welcoming public spaces help build neighborhoods full of pride and possibility.Hope for Civic Engagement & a Sense of UnityWhen people feel heard and respected, they show up. Building unity across Shelby County starts with listening, serving, and working together toward something greater than ourselves.Hope for Safer NeighborhoodsRead time Abstract: 1 min | Full: 2 minReal safety starts with strong communities. Heidi Kuhn will invest in crime prevention, second chances, and rebuilding trust because safety isn’t just about policing, it’s about creating neighborhoods where people can live, heal, and thrive.SAFETY IS MORE THAN POLICING. IT’S ABOUT DIGNITY, STABILITY, AND COMMUNITYEveryone deserves to feel safe in the neighborhoods they call home. But true safety doesn’t come from fear. It comes from opportunity, trust, and care.Heidi Kuhn will invest in proven strategies that prevent crime before it starts, expand reentry programs that offer second chances, and rebuild trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve. That means addressing the root causes: poverty, trauma, unstable housing, and a lack of access to mental health support.Because a safe Shelby County isn’t just about making arrests. It’s about creating the kind of future where people don’t have to live in survival mode. Where every resident, in every zip code, has a real shot at peace, healing, and hope.Hope for Stronger SchoolsRead time Abstract: 1 min | Full: 2 minEducation is the greatest equalizer, and in a just society, it should never be determined by your zip code. In Shelby County, too many of our deepest issues, from crime to poverty to generational hopelessness, can be traced back to unequal and underfunded schools. Heidi Kuhn believes that if we want to change the future, we must start with our children.QUALITY EDUCATION NOT TIED TO YOUR ZIP CODEThat means real investment from the ground up: expanding early childhood education, funding our public schools equitably, and building pathways to college and careers that are rooted in opportunity, not luck.Our future generations matter. Too many of our county’s challenges with crime, poverty, and hopelessness begin with a lack of access to quality education. Heidi Kuhn will invest in our schools from the ground up, expand early childhood programs, and create real pathways to college and careers. Because every child in Shelby County deserves a future they can believe in.Every child in Shelby County deserves more than survival: they deserve a future worth dreaming about.Hope for Economic Development and DiversificationRead time Abstract: 1 min | Full: 2 minToo many local businesses are being left behind while others thrive without giving back. Heidi Kuhn will ensure small business owners get real support, not just lip service, and that economic growth works for everyone in Shelby County.MALL BUSINESSES ARE THE BACKBONE OF OUR ECONOMY AND SHELBY COUNTY IS NO EXCEPTIONAcross Shelby County, small businesses are shuttering. Storefronts that once brought life to our neighborhoods now sit empty. Local entrepreneurs are working around the clock just to stay afloat, while large corporations collect tax breaks, hire from out of town, and extract wealth from our communities without giving anything back.Heidi Kuhn believes in building an economy that works for us. That means fighting for real investment in small businesses — not vanity initiatives or photo ops, but measurable support with real outcomes. Too many programs claim to help entrepreneurs but lack the accountability, transparency, and follow-through that business owners actually need.Heidi will push for job training pipelines, innovation hubs, and true entrepreneur support centers that offer hands-on resources, mentorship, and capital — not just check-the-box efforts. Because economic growth should lift everyone, not just the few at the top. Shelby County’s business owners deserve more than empty promises. They deserve the tools to grow, the support to succeed, and leadership that puts them first.Hope for Better Job OpportunitiesRead time Abstract: 1 min | Full: 2 minShelby County’s workforce is ready to thrive, but they need access to stable jobs that pay fair wages. Heidi Kuhn is committed to building real training programs and partnerships that connect people to careers they can count on.PEOPLE ARE READY TO WORK. THEY JUST NEED A FAIR SHOTIn every corner of Shelby County, people are showing up. They’re clocking in, doing the hard work, and trying to build a better life for themselves and their families. But too often, the jobs available don’t pay enough to cover rent, groceries, or childcare. Too many are forced to work two or three jobs and still fall behind.Heidi Kuhn knows that real economic progress starts with real opportunity. She will invest in workforce development and vocational training programs that meet people where they are. Not just four-year degrees, but hands-on paths to good-paying, stable careers. That includes stronger partnerships with local businesses, trade unions, and training centers to create pipelines to jobs that offer dignity and a future.Because people in Shelby County don’t want a handout. They want a fair shot. And no one working full time or overtime should still be struggling to make ends meet.Hope for a More Attractive Shelby CountyRead time Abstract: 1 min | Full: 2 minA neighborhood is more than just a place to live: it’s where hope grows, memories are made, and futures are built. Every person in Shelby County deserves to feel proud, safe, and truly at home in their community.MEMPHIS AND SHELBY COUNTY DESERVE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT WELCOME EVERYONE AND HELP THEM THRIVEOur communities are more than just places to live. They are where families grow, friendships are made, and dreams take root. Yet too many neighborhoods in Shelby County face neglect, limited green spaces, and a shortage of affordable housing. These challenges make it harder for residents to feel proud of where they live or to build a better life.Heidi Kuhn believes in creating vibrant, welcoming neighborhoods by investing in clean and safe parks, expanding affordable housing options, and supporting community led projects that reflect the needs and voices of the people who live there. This is about more than beautification. It is about creating opportunity, health, and stability for all residents.Because when every corner of Shelby County is cared for and full of life, everyone benefits. We all deserve to live in places that inspire pride, hope, and a sense of belonging.Hope for Civic Engagement and a Sense of UnityRead time Abstract: 1 min | Full: 2 minToo many communities feel overlooked and unheard. Real change begins when everyone has a seat at the table and a voice that matters.EVERY VOICE IN SHELBY COUNTY DESERVES TO BE HEARD AND VALUEDToo often, decisions that shape our neighborhoods and futures are made without the input of those who live here. For Shelby County to truly thrive, we need leadership that listens, not just to the loudest voices, but to every person from every community and every background.Heidi Kuhn is committed to creating real space for community leadership that is diverse, inclusive, and empowered. She will work to bring more residents into the decision-making process, ensuring that local voices guide policies and investments. More than that, she believes in encouraging service and collaboration that strengthens neighborhoods from within, where neighbors support neighbors and collective power builds lasting change.Because when we come together across our differences, Shelby County becomes more than a place on a map. We build a Memphis that is stronger, fairer, and richer in opportunity for everyone who calls it home.A Cause You Can Believe In...A Hope for a Better Shelby County— Heidi Kuhn's campaign website (March 28, 2026)Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.

Heidi Kuhn did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2022 Candidate Connection survey.