A MESSAGE TO THE PEOPLE OF

TENNESSEE 2nd CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

FROM BRUCE FINE

U.S. House of Representatives • 2026

Independent Candidate

I would like to thank the good people of Grainger and Claiborne counties for putting me on the 2026 elections ballot for U.S. House of Representatives, Tennessee District 2. I am now committed to going on to earn your respect, your trust, and your vote — and to bring honest, common-sense leadership back to government.

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I have been a lifelong registered Republican, but I can no longer agree with the direction of the GOP. I am running as an Independent candidate. I am not part of the entrenched political machine and have no ties to any special interests. I am not a career politician and never will be.

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I was not born into privilege or wealth. I am among the working class and know full well what it means to work for a dollar — and how to stretch that dollar as far as possible.

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THE ISSUES THAT MATTER

The Cost of Living

The basic struggle to survive — paying everyday expenses — has become increasingly difficult for the vast majority of Americans. Young couples starting out with solid jobs can no longer afford to buy a house or a new vehicle. The difficulty of making ends meet and balancing the checkbook has grown steadily worse. The need for affordable housing has never been greater.

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Education

We live in the greatest and wealthiest country in the history of our planet. Our children and grandchildren deserve the absolute best education possible — whether they attend public school or are home-schooled — so that they are well prepared for jobs, research, innovation, and creativity, and can rank among the best in the world.

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Healthcare

Every citizen deserves the best possible healthcare. I am extremely concerned that recent cuts to healthcare funding may cripple or destroy small local clinics — like the one we have in Washburn — and local hospitals such as the one we have in New Tazewell.

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Fiscal Responsibility

The issue I find most troubling is the abandonment of fiscal responsibility. The federal government has accumulated a $36 trillion debt that continues to grow, while those who hold the vast majority of the country’s wealth have received one of the largest tax cuts in history. For the rest of us, taxes are taken from our paychecks every week — no matter what.

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WHO I AM

A Personal Statement

I stand solidly for traditional Southern values — decency, manners, ethics, morals, and honesty. These are not just words to me; they are the foundation upon which I have built my life, my work, and my character.

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A Life of Honest Work

My working life has been anything but ordinary. I have rolled up my sleeves across an extraordinary range of trades and industries — each one teaching me something that no classroom ever could.

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Started out as a paperboy, delivering newspapers door to door — learning responsibility and reliability from an early age. Worked every position in the restaurant industry, from dishwasher all the way up to head cook. Parked cars and served as a doorman at some of the most exclusive establishments in South Florida. Worked as a carpet installer, a scrap yard hand, and on the family baitfish farm. Farmed 20 acres, selling fruits, vegetables, flowers, and herbs at farmers markets in the city. Worked as a stone and blue crabber, running 800 traps on the water. Built a career as a marine mechanic — both at a dealership and as a small business owner. Served as a newspaper photojournalist in Monroe, Louisiana and Southwest Florida, with a stint at USA TODAY. Today, I grow chestnuts on my small farm in Thorn Hill, staying connected to the land I love.

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Education & Lifelong Learning

My education spans both the technical and the academic, the vocational and the civic — reflecting a deep belief that learning takes many forms.

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Four years of vocational night school, mastering advanced marine mechanics. Two semesters studying welding and metal fabrication. Bachelor of Science in Journalism and Communications, University of Florida. Taught Sunday School Bible study classes, serving my faith community. Volunteered at the elementary school level, reading to first and second graders. Served as a guest lecturer at the University of Florida.

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From the docks to the newsroom, from the farm fields to the university lectern — my life has been shaped by hard work, curiosity, and an unwavering commitment to the values instilled in me by my Southern upbringing. I have always believed that a person is defined not by one thing, but by the full measure of how they live, how they treat others, and how they give back to their community.