Michaela Barnett

Michaela Barnett's career experience includes working as a small business owner.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a local small business owner and an engineer who learned the value of a hard day’s work early on, doing barn chores before and after school. So I know firsthand what it means to make payroll, care for the land, and solve problems.

I spent last year working in Congress, where I learned something:

Our government is not working for us.

Gas prices are soaring, groceries cost too much, and rents are out of control all across East Tennessee. Washington insiders on both sides of the aisle aren't working to make our lives better — they're waiting it out.

That’s not how we build the future that we deserve.

Speaking out is important, but I know 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. That's why I am running to serve the people of East Tennessee.

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?

As an entrepreneur, innovator, and jobs-creator, I believe that East Tennesseans should have access to abundant, good jobs that contribute to our society and economy. Instead, the cost of living – from housing to groceries to healthcare – has skyrocketed, and our wages have not kept up.

East Tennessee is home to a culture of entrepreneurship, innovation, and hard work. But short-sighted policies mean that we're losing thousands of manufacturing jobs, small businesses and farmers are hurting from the President's wars, and union membership is on the decline.

A successful future for our workforce, our economy, and our country means passing legislation that supports workers, families, and innovation, not just the ultra-rich.Quality healthcare should be affordable and accessible to everyone who needs it.

Instead, we are facing a healthcare crisis 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.

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.

A healthcare system’s success should be measured by how many patients it heals, not how much profit it generates for its shareholders.East Tennessee is blessed with beautiful mountains, strong communities, and for a long time this was an affordable place to work, live, and raise a family. But our infrastructure has not kept up with our community’s growth – and that is making everyone’s lives harder.

Traffic is worse than ever. Our housing shortage is driving up costs and pushing families out of their hometown.

Our roads and bridges need $3 billion in investments. Our schools need more than $300 million in renovations. Our water systems need $450 million in repairs. But statewide, there is only funding for one-third of our infrastructure needs.

We send tax dollars to Washington. We deserve a Representative who will bring those dollars home and invest in our region.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I care deeply about the many issues affecting East Tennessee. But, I am most passionate about fighting corruption so that our government serves the people it represents.

Right now, members of Congress get rich from trading stocks while their constituents at home struggle. Campaign finance laws let corporations and wealthy individuals buy our elections. Rampant gerrymandering lets politicians choose their voters instead of the other way around.

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, repairing our roads, and so many more – we have to fix what’s broken in our government.

That's why government reform is at the top of my agenda.