Former Brigadier General Kurt Winstead Formally Announces Candidacy for TN-5, Joining a Crowded GOP Field

Former Brigadier General Kurt Winstead formally announced his candidacy for Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District, entering the Republican primary.

Winstead joins the Republican field that includes former Speaker of the Tennessee House Beth Harwell, businessman Baxter Lee, Natisha Brooks, California native Robby Starbuck, and recent Tennessee resident and former State Department spokesman Morgan Ortagus. Maury County Mayor Andy Ogles has not yet announced whether he will enter the race or not.

According to Winstead’s press release, which highlights his experience in the Tennessee Army National Guard and ties to Tennessee:

Kurt Winstead is a father, successful businessman, servant leader, man of deep faith, and a conservative political outsider who served in the military overseas and represents everything good about America. Kurt, an attorney by trade, and his wife Beth have been married 34 years and chose Middle Tennessee as their home over thirty years ago building their businesses, raising their family, and giving back to their church and community.

Kurt was raised in Tennessee in a home of educators and farmers who knew the importance of hard work, integrity, and keeping your word. He served for more than thirty years in the Tennessee Army National Guard, including serving as Director of the Joint Staff, Tennessee’s Staff Judge Advocate, and Brigade Command Judge Advocate during Operation Iraqi Freedom III. All of this service to his country while also building a successful law practice in Nashville.

Winstead’s campaign says that he is an eighth-generation Tennessean. He completed his undergraduate studies at Centre College and received his law degree from the University of Richmond School of Law. Winstead and his wife, Beth, attend St. Matthew Church in Franklin.

Winstead’s campaign release says that he is 100% pro-life, dedicated to fighting illegal immigration and securing the border, and a “proud defender of the Second Amendment.”

Winstead also blasted Biden’s job performance in his announcement, saying that Biden has made America weak.

“We must put America First. Joe Biden has put our country in its weakest position since the days of the Carter Administration. Inflation is out of control and illegal immigration is our greatest national security threat. It is our responsibility to return America to a place of strength and respect in the world.”

The 5th Congressional District contains parts of Davidson County, Wilson County, Williamson County, and all of Marshall, Maury, and Lewis counties.

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Aaron Gulbransen is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected]. Follow Aaron on GETTR.