Former U.S. Rep. Van Hilleary, a Republican vying to claim Tennessee’s 6th Congressional District seat vacated by Rep. John Rose’s bid for governor, announced Thursday that his campaign filed its first report claiming a total of $607,640.89 on donations.
The haul, detailed in a press release sent to media, noted Hilleary received contributions from all of the district’s 18 counties, signaling what the campaign called “strong grassroots energy.” The primary is expected to be competitive, drawing national attention amid a nationwide push by Republicans to hold the House majority.
Hilleary, a Gallatin resident and Army veteran who served three terms in Congress from 1995 to 2003, launched his bid in July shortly after Rose announced his bid for the governor’s office. The district, a swath stretching from Nashville’s eastern suburbs through rural Middle Tennessee counties like Sumner, Wilson, and Rutherford, has long been a Republican stronghold. Rose, a three-term incumbent, won his last election with 68% of the vote in 2024. After the 2024 election, the Cook Political Report scored TN-6 as R+17, meaning the average vote share for Republican presidential candidates in the last two presidential elections (2020 and 2024) was 17 percentage points higher than the national average.
“This race is not about adding another title to my resume,” Hilleary said. “I am running because our country is hanging on by a thread, and we need serious leaders for serious times. The last time our nation balanced the budget was when I was in Congress, and I know we can do it again.”
Hilleary, who last held public office two decades ago before a stint as Rep. Rose’s chief of staff, positioned his campaign as a bulwark for former President Donald Trump’s agenda. “President Donald Trump needs proven fighters in Congress who will stand with him to restore our economy, secure our border, and put America First,” he added. “As a veteran and former congressman, I know what it takes to get our country back on track and Make America Great Again.”
TN-6th’s open seat has attracted a number of other Republicans, notably including businessman Brad Gaines, and State Rep. Johnny C. Garrett. Garrett issued a statement on Wednesday announcing his third-quarter fundraising topped $725,000.
No Democrats have yet emerged as serious contenders in the heavily conservative district; however, political watchers widely view TN-6 as a must-hold in their efforts to maintain a slim House majority following the 2024 elections.
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Christina Botteri is the Executive Editor of The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow her on X at @christinakb.
Photo “Van Hilleary” by Van Hilleary.
Career politician, and not a very good one. As “Chief Of Staff” (har har) for Rose, he most certainly had some input to the decision by Rose to resign from Congress and announce his run for Governor – BEFORE waiting to see if Blackburn would run. Heck, I know squat about TN politics, but I strongly suspected Blackburn would run for Governor, and if Rose and Hilleary didn’t see it then they need to seek new careers. Rose has an extremely low chance of beating Blackburn in the primary. He could have waited and run for Blackburn’s Senate seat, where he at least would have had a shot at winning. After the November ’26 election, Rose will be out of a job and so will Hilleary, as he has slim chances in winning his primary as well.
Never forget Van Hilleary sandbagged Ed Bryant’s campaign for the U.S. Senate, leaving us with the RINO Bob Corker instead of an actual conservative. Just say “NO” to his comeback.