Key Takeaways (Click to Expand)
Diana Harshbarger is a licensed pharmacist with over 30 years of experience, making her one of the few medical professionals in Congress and the only woman in Tennessee’s House delegation.
She represents Tennessee’s 1st District, a deeply conservative stronghold in Northeast Tennessee that includes the Tri-Cities (Kingsport, Johnson City, Bristol) and the tourism hubs of the Great Smoky Mountains.
A member of the powerful Energy and Commerce Committee, she leverages her medical background to tackle Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) reform, the opioid epidemic, and ensuring supply chain independence from China for critical medicines.
Her legislative style is defined by her “no-nonsense” business background, focusing on rural broadband access, veterans’ care, and protecting the region’s manufacturing and agricultural interests.
“She spent three decades behind a pharmacy counter serving her neighbors. Now, Diana Harshbarger is the ‘Pharmacist in Congress,’ prescribing a dose of common sense to Washington.”
Diana Harshbarger: The Pharmacist Prescribing Reform
Representative Diana Harshbarger’s journey to Washington began behind the counter of a community pharmacy. Born and raised in Kingsport, Tennessee, she was the first in her immediate family to graduate from college, earning her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Mercer University. For over 30 years, she operated a successful compounding pharmacy, giving her a front-row seat to the challenges of the American healthcare system—from the skyrocketing cost of prescription drugs to the devastation of the opioid crisis.
Elected in 2020 to succeed the retiring Phil Roe (another medical provider), Harshbarger quickly established herself as a subject matter expert on healthcare policy. She is a member of the influential House Energy and Commerce Committee, where she sits on the Health Subcommittee. Unlike many of her colleagues who rely on staff briefings, Harshbarger can personally dissect complex healthcare legislation. She has become a leading crusader for Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) reform, arguing that middlemen are driving up drug costs for patients and crushing independent pharmacies.
Harshbarger is also a fierce advocate for national security, particularly regarding the medical supply chain. She frequently warns against America’s over-reliance on Chinese manufacturing for active pharmaceutical ingredients, viewing it as a critical vulnerability. Beyond healthcare, she represents a district famous for its natural beauty and tourism. She is a staunch defender of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the economic engine it provides for Sevier County. As the only woman in the Tennessee House delegation, she brings a unique voice to the table, blending the compassion of a healthcare provider with the fiscal conservatism of a small business owner.
District Context: Tennessee 1st (U.S. Census Data)
The “Tri-Cities” & The Smokies: This district covers the mountainous northeast corner of Tennessee. It is anchored by the Tri-Cities (Kingsport, Johnson City, Bristol) in the north and the tourism mecca of Sevier County (Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Dollywood) in the south.
Population: ~797,000 (2024 Est.)
Demographics: ~88% White. It is one of the most culturally Appalachian and historically Republican districts in the South (Cook PVI: R+30).
Key Economic Drivers:
Healthcare: A major regional medical hub, with Ballad Health being a top employer.
Tourism: Home to Dollywood, Bristol Motor Speedway, and the gateway to the most visited national park in the U.S.
Manufacturing: Strong industrial base, including Eastman Chemical Company in Kingsport.
Key Landmarks: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Andrew Johnson National Historic Site.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau & Ballotpedia
Sources Used
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