Kate Craig ran for Tennessee Senate in 2022 in District 3, witnessing firsthand the minimal investments made in majority rural districts. On election day, however, Kate moved the needle 7 points, doubled the number of Democratic voters, and raised over $105,000.
Kate managed Nancy Fischman’s Tennessee House campaign in 2016 and then served as Chair of the Washington County Democratic Party from 2017 – 2021. Currently, she serves as Past Chair on the Washington County Democratic Party’s Executive Committee. She’s served as the First Congressional District Chair for the Tennessee Democratic County Chairs Association from 2019 – present. In 2019, she served on the committee that helped found the TNDP Rural Caucus. And in 2021, she ran for Chair of the Tennessee Democratic Party, coming in 3rd out of 10 candidates. In 2021, Kate also served as the Interim East Grand Division Vice President for the Tennessee Federation of Democratic Women. In 2019, Kate designed and taught a campaign training program for progressive candidates and campaign staff running in mostly rural districts.
She grew up in Johnson City, Tennessee. Earned a Bachelors of Political Science with a minor in Leadership Studies from East Tennessee State University. And then a Masters of Public Administration with a graduate certificate of Women, Policy, and Political Leadership from American University. She also graduated from American University’s Campaign Management Institute.
In 2013, Kate was in a motorcycle accident that turned her life upside down. She underwent multiple surgeries, having to relearn how to walk, how to be left-handed, and had to overcome a head injury. These experiences made her an advocate for accessible, affordable healthcare as well as an advocate for disability rights and expanded accessibility.
Kate has worked for nonprofits, supported the Self-Defense Test Ship as a contractor for the Navy, owned her own Photography business, and small business owners. Now, Kate is the Founder and President of Harvesting Democracy, LLC and Harvesting Democracy PAC.
Kate served as Co-Chair of the Tri-Cities Women’s March from November 2017 – October 2021. She has also volunteered for EMILY’s List, Victory Fund, Human Rights Campaign, Planned Parenthood, Running Start, Tennessee Women’s Political Caucus, the Anti-Defamation League, and the Washington County Animal Shelter.
Before her motorcycle accident, Kate founded the Washington, D.C. chapter of Dykes on Bikes. She was also a coxswain and rower for the D.C. Strokes Rowing Club. In both 2015 and 2021, she completed the NaNoWriMo challenge. To date she has written 8 books. She is an avid reader. Her and her wife Kristin live in Johnson City with their 4 cats and 1 dog.
