Former National Guard Brig. Gen. Kurt Winstead enters 5th Congressional District race

Retired Brig. Gen. Kurt Winstead is joining the crowded Republican primary for the newly drawn Tennessee 5th Congressional District, the second candidate to announce their candidacy this week. 

Winstead, the former director of the joint staff for the Tennessee National Guard, retired  in 2021 after more than three decades of service. He is also the founding partner at a Nashville law firm. 

After indicating for weeks he was considering running, Winstead made his official campaign announcement on Thursday.

“In the wake of an unprecedented invasion from Russia, now is the time for leaders in Congress who have real experience," Winstead said in a statement. "We need people who understand our military and have an actual national security background — this is not the time for on the job training."

An aggressive redistricting effort from the Tennessee General Assembly's Republican supermajority led to a new 5th district, which formerly encompassed all of Davidson and Dickson counties, as well as most of Cheatham County.

The new plan splits Nashville three ways. The 5th now contains parts of Davidson, Williamson and Wilson counties, along with rural Lewis, Maury and Marshall counties.

U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper, D-Nashville, announced he would not run for reelection following the split. 

Winstead joins former Tennessee House Speaker Beth Harwell; Trump-endorsed candidate Morgan Ortagus, a former State Department spokesperson; music producer Robby Starbuck and businessman Baxter Lee in the race for the Republican nomination.

More:Former House Speaker Beth Harwell to run for Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District

More:Morgan Ortagus announces Trump-backed run for Tennessee's new 5th Congressional District

Legislation is currently moving through the General Assembly that would place residency requirements on Tennessee congressional candidates, though questions remain if it is ultimately constitutional to do so. The bill is aimed at candidates like Ortagus and Starbuck who recently moved to the state. 

Adam Friedman is The Tennessean’s state government and politics reporter. Reach him by email at afriedman@tennessean.com.

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