Tim Burchett

Tim Burchett
Official portrait, 2025
Tim Burchett
Born	Timothy Floyd Burchett 25 8, 1964
Birthplace	Knoxville, Tennessee, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician
Known for	U.S. Representative for Tennessee's 2nd congressional district; Mayor of Knox County, Tennessee; advocacy for UAP transparency
Education	University of Tennessee (BS)
Children	1
Website	[https://burchett.house.gov/ Official site]

Timothy Floyd Burchett (Template:IPAc-en; born August 25, 1964) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for Tennessee's 2nd congressional district, based in Knoxville, since January 2019. A member of the Republican Party, Burchett built a lengthy career in Tennessee politics before arriving in Washington, having served in the Tennessee House of Representatives, the Tennessee State Senate, and as Knox County mayor. His congressional tenure has been marked by fiscal conservatism, constituent engagement, advocacy for government transparency regarding unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), and, beginning in 2026, his role as chair of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee's subcommittee overseeing the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Burchett succeeded longtime Republican congressman Jimmy Duncan, who had represented the Knoxville-area district for more than three decades. Throughout his political career, Burchett has cultivated a reputation for an informal, accessible style and a willingness to pursue unconventional legislative proposals.

Early Life

Timothy Floyd Burchett was born on August 25, 1964, in Knoxville, Tennessee. He grew up in the Knoxville area, which would become the geographic and political base for his entire career in public service. Knoxville, the seat of Knox County and home to the University of Tennessee, is the largest city in East Tennessee and has historically been a stronghold of the Republican Party.

Details regarding Burchett's parents and family background during his childhood are limited in available public records. What is well documented is that Burchett remained rooted in the Knoxville community throughout his life, developing the local connections and civic engagement that would later undergird his political career.

Education

Burchett attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree. The University of Tennessee is the flagship public university in the state and has produced numerous Tennessee political figures. Burchett's education at the university further cemented his ties to the Knoxville area and to the broader East Tennessee community.

Career

Tennessee House of Representatives (1995–1999)

Burchett began his career in elected office when he won a seat in the Tennessee House of Representatives, representing the 18th district. He took office on January 10, 1995, succeeding Maria Peroulas Draper. During his time in the state House, Burchett served as a member of the Republican caucus and participated in the legislative process on a range of state policy issues.

One of Burchett's most widely publicized legislative efforts during this period was a 1999 bill that attracted national media attention. Burchett introduced legislation related to the consumption of roadkill in Tennessee, a proposal that drew both amusement and serious policy discussion. The New York Times covered the proposal in a piece headlined "A Road Kill Proposal Is Food for Jokesters," noting the combination of humor and genuine policy intent behind the measure. The bill was signed into law as Public Chapter 700 of the 104th Tennessee General Assembly, amending state law regarding the salvage of deer killed by motor vehicles on Tennessee highways. The episode illustrated Burchett's willingness to pursue legislation that, while unconventional in presentation, addressed practical concerns of rural constituents.

Burchett served in the Tennessee House until January 12, 1999. He was succeeded in the 18th district by Steven Buttry.

Tennessee State Senate (1999–2010)

In 1999, Burchett transitioned to the Tennessee State Senate, where he represented the 7th district, encompassing part of Knox County. He succeeded Bud Gilbert in the seat and took office on January 12, 1999.

Burchett served in the Tennessee Senate for over a decade, a period during which he established himself as one of the more prominent Republican legislators in the body. His tenure in the Senate coincided with a period of political transition in Tennessee, as the Republican Party steadily gained strength in the state legislature and eventually secured supermajorities in both chambers.

During his years in the Senate, Burchett built a legislative record centered on fiscal conservatism and issues of importance to Knox County and the broader East Tennessee region. He developed a public profile characterized by an accessible, plain-spoken manner that distinguished him from many of his legislative colleagues.

Burchett served in the Tennessee Senate until September 1, 2010, when he departed to assume the office of Knox County mayor. He was succeeded in the 7th district by Stacey Campfield.

Mayor of Knox County (2010–2018)

In August 2008, Burchett announced his intention to run for mayor of Knox County, a position held at the time by Mike Ragsdale. He campaigned on a platform emphasizing fiscal responsibility and efficient county government.

Burchett won the election and took office as mayor of Knox County on September 1, 2010, succeeding Ragsdale. In his first year as mayor, Burchett pointed to his record of delivering on campaign promises related to county governance and fiscal management. The Knoxville News Sentinel published an assessment of his first year in office in September 2011, in which Burchett discussed his administration's accomplishments.

One notable initiative during Burchett's tenure as mayor was his involvement in promoting local small businesses through "cash mobs," organized events in which groups of people visit a local store and spend money to support it. In 2012, Burchett participated in a cash mob at Emery's 5 & 10, a long-standing Knoxville business. The event was covered by local media, including WBIR-TV. The cash mob initiative received national recognition, with Time magazine acknowledging Knox County's effort, as reported by WATE-TV. NBC News also covered the broader cash mob phenomenon, noting the Knox County events among examples of the trend across the United States.

Burchett served two terms as Knox County mayor, completing his tenure on September 1, 2018. He was succeeded by Glenn Jacobs, a professional wrestler and businessman who won the mayoral race that year.

U.S. House of Representatives (2019–present)

2018 Election

With the retirement of longtime Republican congressman Jimmy Duncan Jr. from Tennessee's 2nd congressional district, Burchett entered the race to succeed him. The district, centered on Knoxville and surrounding areas of East Tennessee, had been a safe Republican seat for decades. Burchett won the Republican primary and then the general election in November 2018. He took office on January 3, 2019, beginning his service in the 116th Congress.

Legislative Activity

In Congress, Burchett has pursued a range of legislative priorities reflecting his fiscal conservatism and his focus on constituent services. He has been an active participant in floor votes and committee work, and has maintained a high level of engagement with constituents through town halls and public events.

In July 2025, Burchett voted in favor of the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," a reconciliation bill. In a statement following the bill's passage, Burchett explained his support for the legislation.

In December 2025, Burchett introduced the Trump Tariff Rebate Act (TTRA), legislation that would increase the standard deduction available to individual taxpayers as a means of offsetting the effects of tariffs on consumers. The bill reflected Burchett's focus on pocketbook issues affecting his constituents.

Also in December 2025, Burchett wrote to President Donald Trump requesting an investigation into non-governmental organizations (NGOs), citing concerns about the use of federal funds by such organizations.

In February 2026, Burchett voted in favor of the SAVE America Act and publicly urged his congressional colleagues to support the legislation. He appeared on RightLine News to make the case for the bill, asking rhetorically, "Who can vote against saving America?"

Burchett has maintained regular contact with constituents through telephone town halls and other public forums. In July 2025, he hosted a telephone town hall to answer constituent questions on current legislative matters.

DOGE Subcommittee Chairmanship

On January 9, 2026, Chairman James Comer of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee announced that Burchett would chair the newly created subcommittee overseeing President Trump's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The appointment placed Burchett in a prominent oversight role during the 119th Congress, tasking him with congressional review of the executive branch initiative aimed at reducing government spending and improving efficiency. The subcommittee chairmanship represented one of the most high-profile assignments of Burchett's congressional career.

UAP Advocacy

One of the most distinctive aspects of Burchett's congressional career has been his sustained advocacy for government transparency regarding unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), commonly referred to as UFOs. Burchett has been among the most vocal members of Congress in calling for the release of classified government files related to UAP sightings and investigations.

In February 2026, Burchett's efforts received significant attention when President Trump called for the release of alien files, a development described by the Knoxville News Sentinel as "a major win" for Burchett "in his longtime, and often lonely, quest to uncover evidence of extraterrestrial life." The presidential action validated years of effort by Burchett and a small number of other members of Congress who had pressed for greater transparency on the subject.

Personal Life

Burchett has one child. He has maintained his residence in the Knoxville, Tennessee, area throughout his political career, representing the same geographic community at the local, state, and federal levels over a span of more than three decades.

Burchett is known for a casual, approachable public persona that contrasts with the more formal style of many members of Congress. His social media presence and public appearances have reflected this informal style, contributing to his local popularity in East Tennessee.

Recognition

Burchett's cash mob initiative as Knox County mayor received national media coverage, including mentions in Time magazine and on NBC News, bringing attention to the concept of organized community support for local small businesses.

His roadkill legislation during his time in the Tennessee House of Representatives was covered by The New York Times in 1999, bringing Burchett early national attention, albeit in a lighthearted context.

In Congress, Burchett's appointment as chair of the DOGE Subcommittee in January 2026 represented a significant recognition of his role within the House Republican caucus and on the Oversight Committee. His advocacy on UAP transparency has also earned him a distinctive profile among members of Congress, with the Knoxville News Sentinel noting the significance of the presidential action on alien files as a vindication of his efforts.

Legacy

Tim Burchett's political career spans more than three decades of continuous public service in Tennessee, progressing from the state House of Representatives to the state Senate, to the Knox County mayoralty, and finally to the U.S. House of Representatives. His career trajectory reflects a deep entrenchment in the politics and civic life of East Tennessee, particularly the Knoxville metropolitan area.

As Knox County mayor, Burchett oversaw county government for eight years and introduced initiatives such as the cash mob program that received national attention as an innovative approach to supporting local businesses. His successor in the mayor's office, Glenn Jacobs, represented a continuation of Republican governance in Knox County.

In Congress, Burchett has carved out a distinctive niche through his combination of fiscal conservatism, constituent engagement, UAP transparency advocacy, and his chairmanship of the DOGE Subcommittee. His willingness to pursue unconventional issues—from roadkill salvage legislation in the Tennessee General Assembly to UAP disclosure in Congress—has set him apart from many of his peers and attracted media attention throughout his career.

Burchett's long tenure representing the Knoxville area at multiple levels of government has made him one of the most enduring political figures in modern East Tennessee politics. His succession of Jimmy Duncan in Tennessee's 2nd congressional district continued a tradition of long-serving Republican representation in the Knoxville-based seat.