You’re running to represent East Tennessee?

Back when I first launched this campaign, I received a message on social media offering to take me to see parts of the district I’ve never been to before. A former UPS driver in northern Campbell and Claiborne counties, Bob told me that since I was running to represent the people of East Tennessee, he wanted to introduce me to people who had never had real representation.

Last Friday, I took him up on his offer, and we spent 8 hours making good on his promise to take me off the beaten path in TN-02.

We followed back roads through Royal Blue and Pioneer and visited the TWRA headquarters to learn if screwworm was going to be an issue for the elk herd, and what that would mean for the local economy. Experts shared that screwworm isn’t a concern (yet), but folks did tell us that manufacturing jobs have dried up.

“How many times has Burchett been up here?” Bob asked one man at one such stop. He shrugged. “Never that I know of.”

Then we went to the Jellico Hospital, which shut down in 2024. There was a printed sign on the door that gave the address of the nearest hospital in Kentucky where folks could seek care if they were having a medical emergency — over 30 minutes away.

As we made our way through Morley, White Oak, Anthras, Eagan, Clairfield, and Clear Fork, we stopped anywhere the community gathered. At each stop, Bob would share that he used to be the UPS driver, then would gesture at me. “This is Michaela Barnett. She’s running to represent us, and she’s the real deal. I told her I could introduce her to folks who have never had real representation.” When he said this, I think every single head nodded knowingly.

Healthcare workers shared how challenging it has been since Jellico closed, and that many areas have no ambulance service.

Store owners said getting merchandise was getting more and more expensive, and that jobs had been steadily drying up.

Grandparents are caring for grandkids on fixed incomes, and having a hard time paying all the bills.

At the secondhand shop next to the Dayspring Health Clinic at Clairfield, we asked what we could do to help. “Many of the families do their back-to-school shopping here, because we’re much cheaper than Goodwill,” they told us. More than anything, we need kids’ clothes in all sizes.” (We’re doing a clothing drive to fulfill this need! See details at the end of this email).

We made our way back down through Habersham, Wynn, and Duff, before crossing back into familiar terrain in LaFollette.

I’ve known for a long time that the more rural parts of our district have been hit hardest by failed policies and ineffective representation. It was sobering, though not surprising, to hear residents’ stories of how they have personally been impacted by these failures.

Do you know what was surprising?

In Pioneer, when I introduced myself to one man, he nodded. “I think I’ve seen you online. Good luck!” In White Oak, I knocked on someone’s door, and the woman answering greeted me like an old friend. She’s been following the campaign, and was delighted I’d come to say hello.

In Clairfield, a woman at the Community Clothing Center said, “I thought that was you! I saw you at the LaFollette picnic last weekend. I have your sign in my car!”

In Clear Fork, a group of volunteers was giving away school supplies at the Volunteer Fire Department. They were closing up for the day, and one woman who thought I was stopping for supplies rushed to unpack some for me. When I explained who I was and that I was just stopping to introduce myself to the folks there, another woman overheard and approached.

“Michaela? I live on the other side of Claiborne county! I have your sign in my yard!”

The same thing happened at the Tomato Festival in Grainger county on Saturday. I stopped to say hello to a couple’s adorable dogs after buying some tomatoes, and after a doubletake, the woman said: “Are you Michaela? Oh my gosh, I follow you! We love what you’re doing. I can’t believe we’re meeting you here!”

On our drive Friday, Amelia and I ran out of business cards. We’re planning to go back with literature and yard signs when we bring school clothes up for the Community Clothing Center in Clairfield.

Here’s what last weekend tells me: our message – that government can and should serve East Tennesseans – has reached the furthest corners of our district.

That we do deserve healthcare we can afford, investments in our infrastructure and our workforce. That East Tennessee should be a place where hard work puts you ahead. That our seniors should be able to retire in dignity, and our young people shouldn’t have to move away to find opportunity.

That there is more that unites us than divides us.

Details on the Clothing Drive for the Community Clothing Center in Clairfield:

• When: July 21 – August 8

• Where: Campaign Headquarters (Printshop Beer Co: 1532 Island Home Avenue, Mondays – Thursdays from 10 to 4) plus any Michaela for Tennessee campaign event from July 21 - August 8!

• Condition: Gently used (no stained, dirty, or torn items)

• Sizes: All children’s sizes, kindergarten through young adult

Most-needed items:

• Jeans & pants

• T-shirts, long-sleeve shirts, sweaters

• Shorts & leggings

• Jackets & coats

• Shoes & sneakers

• Backpacks & purses

Questions? Reply to this email, or reach out to [email protected]

My question to you: Where should I visit next?