Representative Diana Harshbarger has spent her term avoiding town halls, shutting down constituent questions, and keeping her office doors closed. The voters of Tennessee's 1st Congressional District deserve to hear directly from the people asking to represent them in Washington.

Kristi Burke secured the Democratic nomination for U.S. House in Tennessee's 1st District, meaning she will be on the ballot against Harshbarger on November 3. On August 6, during her acceptance speech in Johnson City, Tennessee, Burke issued a direct challenge to Harshbarger, demanding a debate in front of their voters.

As of the creation of this petition, Harshbarger has not yet accepted the challenge, and was even quoted in the Johnson City Press on August 19 as saying she could not remember Burke's name, despite having threatened Burke with a Department of Justice intervention for peacefully protesting outside her office in 2025.

We demand that Rep. Harshbarger accept Kristi Burke's debate challenge before early voting begins on October 14.

Sign this petition to show Harshbarger that voters expect transparency, accountability, and a real conversation on the issues affecting our daily lives. SHE CANNOT HIDE FROM HER CONSTITUENTS FOREVER.