East Tennessee voters stick with three GOP congressional representatives

With Republicans poised to take the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives, East Tennessee's Congress members could end up in leadership roles in the coming months.

All three cruised to easy reelection victories in Tuesday's midterm election.

More:See all of Tennessee's election results in one place

Here's a look at the results:

U.S. House of Representatives District 1

Republican Rep. Diana Harshbarger was elected to a second term. She lives in Kingsport and is a longtime pharmacist.

The Associated Press called the race early in her favor as her totals topped 78% with about 90% of the votes counted. The 1st District covers the far northeast corner of the state plus tourist hot spots in the Great Smoky Mountains.

"Now with a governing majority, I look forward to continuing my service by pushing policies that will move East Tennessee and our country forward," she wrote in an election night news release.

Harshbarger faced a challenge from Democrat Cameron Parsons and two independents, Richard Baker and Matt Makrom, but easily cruised to victory.

U.S. House of Representatives District 2

Rep. Tim Burchett, a Republican from Knoxville, won another term in Congress. He was first elected in 2018 after previously serving as Knox County mayor and in Tennessee's House and Senate.

"Fiscal responsibility has got to be at the top of it. We have several pieces of legislation dealing with recycling," Burchett told Knox News about his ongoing priorities during a stop at Tuesday night's GOP party. "Not real sexy, but it's things I'm interested in."

"I think folks are tired of just the crazy spending. And we've got to be more responsible too as Republicans," he added.

Burchett serves on the House Foreign Affairs and Transportation and Infrastructure committees. The 2nd District incorporates Knoxville, Lenoir City and Maryville, and continues north to the Kentucky border.

He was challenged by Mark Harmon, a Democrat who worked as a teacher.

With almost all the ballots counted, Burchett won with 68% of the vote.

U.S. House of Representatives District 3

Republican Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, who lives in the Chattanooga area and serves in a district that continues north up to the Kentucky border and incorporates areas just west of Knoxville, was elected to another term.

He is a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee and his role will be key with a GOP majority. He was first elected to Congress in 2010.

He faced a challenge by Democrat Meg Gorman and independents Thomas M. Rumba and Rick Tyler.

With 96% of the ballots counted, Fleischmann won with 68% of the vote.