David Sutman Jr. is running as an independent for U.S. Senate in Tennessee's 2026 general election.
Sutman, from Gray, Tennessee, qualified by petition and filed March 6, 2026, according to Tennessee Firefly. He says he is running to break partisan gridlock and focus on practical solutions for working families, according to his campaign website.
Candidate information
- Name: David Sutman Jr.
- Party: Independent
- Hometown: Gray, Tennessee
- Office sought: U.S. Senate, Tennessee
- Election date: Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026
- Ballot status: Certified for the ballot
Sutman says he comes from a working-class background and has built his experience in business rather than political offices. His campaign materials list no prior public-service record.
On the issues
The following positions are from Sutman's campaign website and BallotReady questionnaire responses.
Cost of living and the economy: Sutman says groceries, housing and fuel are crushing working families. He says he would focus on reducing everyday costs, supporting small businesses and cutting wasteful spending. His materials do not detail specific legislation or funding mechanisms.
Government reform: Sutman says he supports term limits and wants to increase government transparency.
Independent leadership: Sutman says he would base decisions on what benefits constituents rather than party leadership.
Civil liberties and public safety: Sutman says he would protect individual freedoms and uphold the rule of law.
The race includes nine other candidates: Bill Hagerty (Republican), Marquita Bradshaw (Democratic), Andrew Gerena (Independent), Catherine Barcel Whitson (Independent), James William Macon III (Independent), Jeremy Dean Hearn (Independent), Robert Jones (Independent), Tharon Chandler (Independent) and Yoshi D. Matthews (Independent), according to BallotReady.
About this profile
This profile was prepared using information from Tennessee Firefly and the candidate's own campaign responses.
