Former House Representative Van Hillley has kicked off his campaign to return to Congress, aiming for Tennessee’s 6th Congressional District in 2026, seeking to take over from U.S. Rep. John Rose.

He remarked to attendees that President Trump was running to “ensure he had backup.” Hillley expressed his concerns about the current national landscape, saying that the country seems to be “hanging at our fingertips in many ways.” He believes the nation has been gradually declining for years, a trend that has intensified during the Biden administration.

Hillley criticized the Biden administration, suggesting they’ve found a “new and dangerous way” to undermine the country’s traditional symbols. He also pointed out various issues, including perceived attacks on Second Amendment rights, restrictions on public expressions—especially around Covid vaccinations—and ongoing concerns regarding immigration policies and transgender athletes in collegiate sports.

Hillley previously represented Tennessee’s fourth district from 1994 to 2002. In 2006, he placed third in a competitive U.S. Senate primary. Since Rose’s election, Hillley has served as his chief of staff—a relationship that Rose highlighted, stating that having a former House member as a chief of staff is particularly valuable.

In a nod to his political background, Hillley mentioned how he initially won his seat during a conservative backlash against President Clinton’s policies. He told the crowd that he consistently voted against Clinton’s initiatives during his time in office.

About 350 people attended the kickoff event in Sumner County, with notable local officials present, including State Senators Paul Bailey and Johnny Garrett, as well as various Republican figures. Notably, Garrett recently announced his own candidacy for the District 6 seat. Other candidates already in the race include Republican Dale Braden and Democrat Mike Crawley.