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Michaela Barnett | Running for TN-02

@michaelafortn.bsky.social
309 followers 22 following 43 posts

Scientist. Small business owner. Former Congressional Science Fellow. Running against Tim Burchett in TN-02 because East Tennesseans deserve a rep who will work, not a keyboard warrior. MichaelaForTennessee.com

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Michaela Barnett | Running for TN-02 @michaelafortn.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
Most comprehensive, bipartisan housing reform in the 21st century. Burchett votes against it and Trump holds it hostage.
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Michaela Barnett | Running for TN-02 @michaelafortn.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
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Michaela Barnett | Running for TN-02 @michaelafortn.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
And let me tell you - that used to make me feel good, when people told me that. And I’ve told younger people that plenty of times too. But this time, in this moment, coming from my Republican momma, I’ll tell you what I told her: I’ll take your hope - but I want your action.
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Michaela Barnett | Running for TN-02 @michaelafortn.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
That’s something my momma told me a few months ago when we were talking on the phone. We were talking about my business, and my work in Congress, and my plan to run for office, and she said, "You give me hope."
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Michaela Barnett | Running for TN-02 @michaelafortn.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
When you’re a youngish person who is publicly doing pro-planet, pro-people, pro-community work, something you hear a lot is: you give me hope for the future.
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Michaela Barnett | Running for TN-02 @michaelafortn.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
Meet your progressive match! ❤️ Join Michaela for Congress & Knox Social Club for 21+ Progressive Speed Dating at Crafty Bastard Brewery West! Meet like-minded folks, share great conversation, and connect with people who care about the future of East Tennessee. secure.actblue.com/donate/mb4tn...
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Michaela Barnett | Running for TN-02 @michaelafortn.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
THIS is your official invitation to join our campaign. WHO: 🫵 WHAT: A chance to find out where you fit in our outreach efforts, and the tools you need to get started WHEN: This Sunday, June 7 | 11am-2pm WHERE: Printshop Beer Co RSVP: mobilize.us/michaelafortennessee/event/959891/
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Michaela Barnett | Running for TN-02 @michaelafortn.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
We need you to not engage in doomerism and to counteract those messages with the reality - that our future is STILL in our hands. It is not predetermined. Don’t believe their absolute power into existence.
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Michaela Barnett | Running for TN-02 @michaelafortn.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
But we need you to stand up and stay engaged. We need you meeting your neighbors and volunteering on campaigns and serving as poll watchers.
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Michaela Barnett | Running for TN-02 @michaelafortn.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Friend, that’s not true, for climate change or authoritarianism! Do NOT let them take you out of the fight before they’ve had the chance to. We can still reclaim our democracy and actually create a better government in its place that IS for and by the people.
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Michaela Barnett | Running for TN-02 @michaelafortn.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
So what’s the playbook? No longer denial - doomism. They’re not just laying the structural groundwork for complete control, they’re hoping the psychological games will take you out of the fight before they can. I see it all the time. “This sucks but there’s nothing we can do.”
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Michaela Barnett | Running for TN-02 @michaelafortn.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
But now they can’t deny it any longer. Openly flouting the constitution. Saying we “shouldn’t have an election.” Curtailing free speech and going against political rivals. Calling for Democratic members of Congress to be HANGED for telling service members their allegiance was to the constitution.
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Michaela Barnett | Running for TN-02 @michaelafortn.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
In other words, it changed from “it’s not happening” to “it is happening but there’s nothing you can do about it 😕” Sound familiar? Think about this administration. Project 2025? Never heard of it. Calling us fascists? What a bunch of over reactive hippies.
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Michaela Barnett | Running for TN-02 @michaelafortn.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
In the last 5-10 years, fossil fuel industries realized they couldn’t keep promoting the idea that climate change was a hoax. More people were seeing it with their own eyes and could no longer deny it was happening. So these interests changed strategies - from climate DENIAL to climate DOOM.
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Michaela Barnett | Running for TN-02 @michaelafortn.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Before running for office, most of my work was around environmental sustainability. That was how I learned how to turn channel anger and despair into action. But there’s another insight from my previous work that is absolutely CRITICAL to our anti-authoritarian, pro-democracy fight.
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Michaela Barnett | Running for TN-02 @michaelafortn.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
Just as a reminder, I'm running against Tim and I'm the ONLY uncontested Dem running for Congress in the state. We're almost 800 volunteers strong and focused on flipping his seat this November.
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Michaela Barnett | Running for TN-02 @michaelafortn.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
He's so embarrassing. We're face rising prices because of Trump's war in Iran (including an extra $275 per household in increased gas prices alone) while he tries to suck up to President Trump. Voters here aren't focused on who is playing at DC concerts - they want to afford groceries. MB4TN.com
mb4tn.com
Michaela Barnett for Tennessee-02
Join the cavalry to flip TN-02
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Michaela Barnett | Running for TN-02 @michaelafortn.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
I don't know about you but I actually think it’s an act of patriotism to refuse to perform alongside the man looting the treasury, destroying the White House, and undermining American competitiveness and leadership.
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Michaela Barnett | Running for TN-02 @michaelafortn.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
Challenge: Have Tim Burchett show up for an in-person event in Knox county where he'll have to face his constituents. Level: Impossible.
Image shows an event flier with Tim Burchett scheduled for Monday, June 15 at Kern's Bakery with a large red cancelled written across it.
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Michaela Barnett | Running for TN-02 @michaelafortn.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
Relational Organizing is all about using the connections you already have to turn your friends and family into voters. Start with 10 people in your contacts, keep track of your conversations, and help us track who’s planning to show up at the polls in August & November: getempower.com/mb4tn
Text: a volunteer reaching out to a friend is 9x more effective than an organizer calling a stranger. Michaela for Tennessee quilt square emblem. Michaela Barnett embracing a supporter.
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Michaela Barnett | Running for TN-02 @michaelafortn.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
If you have to redraw the playing field to have a shot, maybe this isn’t your game. Read more on Substack: michaelafortennesseepress.substack.com/p/redistrict...
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Michaela Barnett | Running for TN-02 @michaelafortn.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
If you’re new here, welcome to the Cavalry. We have a lot of work to do.
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Michaela Barnett | Running for TN-02 @michaelafortn.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
THANK YOU to everyone who believes in this movement and has shown up to support the fight for a better East Tennessee–and a better United States of America. Thank you for your time, your dollars, your shares, and your kind words. I don’t take them for granted.
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Michaela Barnett | Running for TN-02 @michaelafortn.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
Or will we be a country where we let the elite few rob us blind? Where our elected officials enrich themselves, consolidate power, and let corporations determine how the rest of us are governed?
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Michaela Barnett | Running for TN-02 @michaelafortn.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
Will we be a country where seniors who have worked their whole lives can retire with dignity? A country where you can go visit the doctor without fear that the bill will mean you can’t afford groceries for your kids that week? A country where our public servants are accountable to us?
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Michaela Barnett | Running for TN-02 @michaelafortn.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
At the Lighthouse fundraiser last week, we reflected on the last 250 years of this great, beautiful, complicated, imperfect country. More importantly, we asked ourselves questions about the next 250:
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Michaela Barnett | Running for TN-02 @michaelafortn.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
open.substack.com/live-stream/...
open.substack.com
LIVE SOON: Live with Robert L Arnold
Starting Apr 29 at 11:00 AM EDT
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Michaela Barnett | Running for TN-02 @michaelafortn.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
Feeling overwhelmed by the week's news? Grab a hot coffee and get ready for some hot takes with me and @defiance13.bsky.social Join us tomorrow 4.29 11am ET on Substack
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Michaela Barnett | Running for TN-02 @michaelafortn.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
Ending partisan gerrymandering across the country is critically important for people to get the representation they deserve. Democrats have tried to do it - and Republicans have blocked it consistently.
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Michaela Barnett | Running for TN-02 @michaelafortn.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
In 2021 Dems reintroduced and it passed the house on a party line vote. Senate Republicans blocked it with the filibuster.
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Michaela Barnett | Running for TN-02 @michaelafortn.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
Reminder: in 2019, Dems tried to pass the “For the People” Act which would have expanded voting rights, changed campaign finance laws to reduce the influence of money in politics, and banned partisan gerrymandering. Mitch McConnell (R) blocked it from coming to a vote in the senate.
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Michaela Barnett | Running for TN-02 @michaelafortn.bsky.social · 05/04/2026
🚨TENNESSEANS: REMINDER THAT TOMORROW IS THE REGISTRATION DEADLINE TO VOTE IN OUR LOCAL PRIMARIES! 🚨 SORRY THAT I'M SHOUTING, IT'S JUST VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE ALL VOTE IN EVERY ELECTION. sos.tn.gov/elections
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Michaela Barnett | Running for TN-02 @michaelafortn.bsky.social · 05/04/2026
Hi Bluesky - I'm Michaela Barnett, running to flip the longest-held Republican district in the country (TN-02). Follow me if you think we should start paying attention to tough red districts and the candidates stepping up to run in them. #MidTerms #BlueDotRedState #Tennessee #GrassrootsCandidate
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Michaela Barnett | Running for TN-02 @michaelafortn.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
🗳️ STATE & FEDERAL GENERAL • Voter Registration: October 5 • Early Voting: Oct 14–29 • Absentee Deadline: October 24 • Election Day: November 3 Check your registration or sign up now 👉 sos.tn.gov/elections Share with your Tennessee friends! 💚
sos.tn.gov
Elections | Tennessee Secretary of State
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Michaela Barnett | Running for TN-02 @michaelafortn.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
🗳️ LOCAL COUNTY PRIMARY • Voter Registration: April 6 ⚠️ • Early Voting: April 15–30 • Absentee Deadline: April 25 • Election Day: May 5 🗳️ LOCAL/COUNTY GENERAL + STATE/FEDERAL PRIMARY • Voter Registration: July 7 • Early Voting: July 17–Aug 1 • Absentee Deadline: July 27 • Election Day: August 6
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Michaela Barnett | Running for TN-02 @michaelafortn.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
Tennessee has THREE elections in 2026 — not just November! The first deadline is in 5 DAYS. Here's what you need to know 🧵👇
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Michaela Barnett | Running for TN-02 @michaelafortn.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
If a philanthropist offered to pay for passports for all Democratic voters who can't afford them, I bet Republicans would protest real quick - showing that the SAVE Act is a poll tax that will suppress American citizens from voting.
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Michaela Barnett | Running for TN-02 @michaelafortn.bsky.social · 24/01/2026
Our babies are being teargassed while our leaders drink bubbly. Our children are being used as bait while our leaders clink glasses. Our citizens are being killed while our leaders celebrate with champagne.
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Michaela Barnett | Running for TN-02 @michaelafortn.bsky.social · 24/01/2026
Seven Democrats joined with Republicans to pass after receiving meager concessions that do little to rein in this brutal, rogue agency.
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Michaela Barnett | Running for TN-02 @michaelafortn.bsky.social · 24/01/2026
After the House of Representatives passed the DHS funding bill that keeps ICE funding at $10 billion dollars, aides were seen taking champagne to a private room to celebrate after the vote.
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Reposted by Michaela Barnett | Running for TN-02
Michele Hornish @hornish.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
🚨TONIGHT🚨 Join the Blue TN and Every State Blue team for a conversation with @corbintrent.bsky.social about the results in TN-07. Corbin is an insightful thinker, powerful political writer, and former AOC/Bernie staffer. You should come! 7:30EST. Register here: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
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Michaela Barnett | Running for TN-02 @michaelafortn.bsky.social · 03/12/2025
Was yesterday a failure? I don't think so. open.substack.com/pub/michaela...
open.substack.com
Was yesterday a failure?
I don't think so.
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Michaela Barnett | Running for TN-02 @michaelafortn.bsky.social · 01/10/2025
I'm so sick of Republicans hiding their awful policies behind their hate for immigrants and transgender people. It's so blatant and so hateful, and it harms all of us.
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Michaela Barnett | Running for TN-02 @michaelafortn.bsky.social · 01/10/2025
Let's be completely clear - this shut-down is because Democrats want people to have health insurance they can afford, and Republicans don't.
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