Harshbarger, Walsingham to battle to become second woman to serve Tennessee’s District 1 in US House

From a pool of 16 candidates that featured three state lawmakers, two former mayors, and decades of political clout, it was a Kingsport pharmacist selected by primary voters to run in November.

Diana Harshbarger won the GOP nomination in her first attempt at public office in a tightly-contested race with State reps Timothy Hill and Rusty Crowe finishing second and third, respectively.

Harshbarger faces Democrat, Air Force veteran, and mother of four Blair Walsingham of Hawkins County this fall.

Whoever wins will become only the second woman in history to hold the US House District 1 Tennessee. The first was Louise Reece who was elected in May 1961 after her husband Rep. Carroll Reece who served for 18 terms died from cancer that March. She later retired and the seat was won by Jimmy Quillen in 1962.

(PHOTOS: Harshbarger for Congress / Blair for Congress / Facebook)