Tim Burchett Biography: Age, Wife, Career, Congress, Net Worth, Salary, Children & Facts

Tim Burchett is a straight-talking Tennessee Republican who traded the mayor’s office in Knoxville for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, where his blunt humor and unapologetic conservatism have made him one of Capitol Hill’s most recognizable personalities. A lifelong East Tennessean with deep roots in Knox County, Burchett has built a three-decade political career on cutting taxes, shrinking government, and speaking his mind—whether the topic is infrastructure spending, UFO disclosure, or the Second Amendment. Now serving his fourth term in Congress, he remains a steadfast ally of the Trump administration while maintaining the everyman persona that first endeared him to voters back home.

Quick Facts

Early Life & Education

Timothy Floyd Burchett was born on August 25, 1964, in Knoxville, Tennessee, and raised in the same community he now represents . His father, Charlie Burchett, was a World War II Marine veteran who fought in the Pacific under Colonel Chesty Puller, and later became a career educator . His mother, Joyce, was also an educator who learned to fly an airplane during the 1940s—an uncommon achievement for a woman at the time . Growing up during the postwar era, young Tim absorbed his parents’ Depression-era values of thrift, hard work, and self-reliance.

He attended West Hills Elementary, Bearden Junior High, and graduated from Bearden High School in 1982 . Burchett then enrolled at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1988 and became a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity . Though he briefly considered teaching vocational skills, his early involvement with the Young Republicans and a natural gift for retail politics pulled him toward public service instead .

Career Journey

Tennessee State Legislature (1995–2010)

Burchett launched his first campaign in 1994 at age 30, winning a seat in the Tennessee House of Representatives for the 18th district . During his two terms, he earned a reputation for quirky yet practical legislation, including a bill to legalize the consumption of roadkill and measures easing helmet laws for motorcyclists . In 1998, he won election to the Tennessee State Senate, representing Knox County’s 7th District, where he served three terms and earned the nickname “Tax Ax” for his fierce opposition to a state income tax .

Knox County Mayor (2010–2018)

In 2010, Burchett ran for Mayor of Knox County, defeating former Sheriff Tim Hutchison in a heated Republican primary and Democrat Ezra Maize in the general election . During his eight years in office, he cut the county’s debt by $45 million, rejected multiple property tax hikes, and launched the county’s first “cash mob” initiative—a flash-mob shopping spree at struggling local businesses that earned national attention in Time magazine . He also oversaw new school construction and infrastructure improvements without raising taxes, a record he frequently touts on the campaign trail .

U.S. House of Representatives (2019–Present)

When 30-year incumbent Jimmy Duncan Jr. announced his retirement in 2017, Burchett entered a crowded seven-way Republican primary and won by nearly 12 points . He went on to capture the general election with 65.9% of the vote, ending the Duncan family’s 54-year hold on Tennessee’s 2nd District . He took office on January 3, 2019, and has been reelected three times, most recently in 2024 with 69.3% of the vote .

In Congress, Burchett serves on three influential committees: Oversight and Government Reform, Foreign Affairs, and Transportation and Infrastructure . During the 117th Congress, three of his sponsored bills were signed into law by President Biden, including the PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act, the Patient Advocate Tracker Act, and the Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Act . In the 118th Congress, he sponsored 32 bills, six of which became law .

As of 2025–2026, Burchett has aligned closely with the Trump administration, introducing legislation to codify executive orders on energy independence, media funding, and gain-of-function research . He also introduced the Trump Tariff Rebate Act and the End Cashless Bail to Protect Americans Act in 2025 .

Notable Advocacy and Public Profile

Burchett has carved out a unique niche as one of Congress’s most vocal advocates for UFO transparency. In 2025, he sponsored the UAP Whistleblower Protection Act and has claimed in multiple interviews that he has viewed military videos of unidentified aerial phenomena that “defy any reason” . He has also pushed for the release of the Epstein files, warning that while accountability is necessary, “just because someone flew on a plane doesn’t make them a pedophile” .

Career Stats & Milestones

Personal Life

Marriage and Family

Burchett married Allison Beaver in June 2008 in an impromptu ceremony officiated by then-Governor Phil Bredesen . Beaver filed for divorce in April 2012, citing irreconcilable differences, and the split was finalized later that year . In 2014, Burchett married Kelly Kimball, and the couple settled into a blended family life on their farm in the Gibbs community of Knox County .

Together they have a daughter, Isabel, whom Burchett has called the “best crawdad catcher in North America” . He is also the legal guardian to Kelly’s daughter from a previous relationship, whom the couple homeschools . In 2022, Isabel suffered serious injuries in a barrel-racing accident and spent 16 days in intensive care, a trauma that deeply affected the family . Then in 2025, Burchett himself was kicked by a horse on the family farm, suffering a broken rib and bruising .

Faith and Hobbies

A devout Presbyterian, Burchett credits his Christian faith as the foundation for his worldview . Outside politics, he maintains an unusual hobby: building skateboards and longboards out of bamboo, a craft he has practiced since high school and one that has produced more than ten custom boards . The family also keeps horses on their property, though the animals have proven occasionally hazardous .

Controversies

Burchett’s unfiltered style has landed him in hot water on several occasions. In February 2018, the Knoxville News Sentinel reported that he failed to disclose a $10,000 payment from a solar electric company on campaign finance and income tax forms . The FBI questioned associates about potential income tax evasion, though Burchett described the omission as an “oversight” and was never charged .

His ex-wife, Allison Beaver, later faced legal troubles of her own, pleading guilty to misdemeanor cyber-stalking charges related to their divorce proceedings . In 2021, she filed a pardon plea alleging duress tied to Burchett’s campaigns, adding a layer of personal drama to his public profile .

Following the Covenant School shooting in Nashville in March 2023, Burchett sparked national outrage when he told reporters, “We’re not gonna fix it,” and added that his family chose to homeschool their daughter . He doubled down days later, saying, “If you think Washington is going to fix this problem, you’re wrong. They’re not going to fix this problem. They are the problem,” and called for a “real revival” rather than gun control legislation .

Burchett also drew scrutiny for his role in efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results. He joined the Texas lawsuit urging the Supreme Court to discard votes in four swing states, and on January 6, 2021, he voted to omit Arizona and Pennsylvania from the Electoral College count .

Awards & Achievements

• “Tax Ax” Award – For leadership in defeating a Tennessee state income tax
• 100% Rating – Tennessee Right to Life
• 95% Rating – FreedomWorks (fiscal conservative advocacy group)
• Lifetime Member – National Rifle Association
• Three Bills Signed into Law – 117th Congress (PAWS Act, Patient Advocate Tracker Act, ALS Act)
• Six Bills Signed into Law – 118th Congress

Physical Statistics

Specific height and weight measurements for Tim Burchett are not publicly documented. He is generally described as having an average build with brown hair, greying at the temples, and brown eyes.

Quotes

“If you think Washington is going to fix this problem, you’re wrong. They’re not going to fix this problem. They are the problem.”
— On school shootings and gun violence, March 2023

“We need a real revival in this country. Let’s call on our Christian ministers and our people of faith.”
— Following the Covenant School shooting, March 2023

“The truth is out there, and it’s time we face it.”
— On UFO disclosure and government transparency, 2025

Favorites

• Political Hero: Ronald Reagan (cited Reaganomics debates in high school)
• Causes: Veterans affairs, government transparency, Second Amendment rights, UFO disclosure
• Hobbies: Bamboo skateboard building, horseback riding, farming
• City: Knoxville, Tennessee
• Sports/Activities: Barrel racing (family activity), skateboarding

Earnings

As a member of Congress, Burchett earns the standard $174,000 annual salary . His financial picture is notably modest by Washington standards. According to Quiver Quantitative, his estimated net worth was just $42,000 as of February 2026, ranking 471st among current members of Congress . Other estimates place his net worth between $300,000 and $500,000, derived primarily from his congressional salary, prior business assets, and modest investments .

His campaign fundraising remains robust: in Q1 2026, he disclosed $669,600 in new contributions, and in Q4 2025, he reported $146,200 raised with $563,100 cash on hand . His publicly tracked stock holdings are minimal, totaling approximately $9,500 in publicly traded assets .

Interesting Facts

• Burchett sponsored a bill to legalize eating roadkill in Tennessee, arguing it was a waste of good meat after a constituent hit a deer .
• His mother, Joyce, learned to fly airplanes in the 1940s, a rare accomplishment for women during that era .
• As Knox County mayor, he organized the county’s first “cash mob,” a flash-mob shopping event to support local businesses .
• He has built more than ten bamboo skateboards, including longboards, since high school .
• Burchett is a lifetime member of the NRA and holds a 100% pro-life voting record .
• He was kicked by a horse in 2025, breaking a rib, just three years after his daughter suffered serious injuries in a horse-riding accident .
• He is one of the few members of Congress to openly advocate for UFO transparency, claiming to have seen classified military footage .

Did You Know Already?

• Burchett ended the Duncan family’s 54-year hold on Tennessee’s 2nd District, a seat held by only seven people since 1909 .
• His first marriage to Allison Beaver was officiated by Governor Phil Bredesen, a Democrat, in a spontaneous 2008 ceremony .
• During the 117th Congress, three of his bills were signed into law by President Biden, despite their political differences .
• He has missed only 1.7% of roll call votes since taking office—better than the congressional median of 2.1% .
• Burchett’s district, TN-02, has a Cook Partisan Voting Index of R+20, making it one of the most Republican districts in the nation .

Social Media Links

• X (Twitter): @TimBurchett (official congressional and campaign account)
• Facebook: Tim Burchett (official page)
• YouTube: Rep. Tim Burchett
• Instagram: @timburchett
• Official House Website: burchett.house.gov
• Campaign Website: burchettforcongress.com

Frequently Asked Questions

How old is Tim Burchett?
Tim Burchett was born on August 25, 1964, making him 61 years old as of 2026.

Who is Tim Burchett’s wife?
He is married to Kelly Kimball, a former model, since 2014. He was previously married to Allison Beaver from 2008 to 2012.

What district does Tim Burchett represent?
He represents Tennessee’s 2nd Congressional District, based in Knoxville and covering much of East Tennessee.

What is Tim Burchett’s net worth?
Estimates vary widely. Quiver Quantitative estimates $42,000 as of early 2026, while other sources place his net worth between $300,000 and $500,000.

What is Tim Burchett known for?
He is known for his blunt conservative commentary, advocacy for UFO transparency, opposition to tax increases, and his viral “We’re not gonna fix it” remark following the 2023 Covenant School shooting.

What committees does Tim Burchett serve on?
He serves on the House Committees on Oversight and Government Reform, Foreign Affairs, and Transportation and Infrastructure.

Did Tim Burchett support overturning the 2020 election?
Yes. He joined the Texas lawsuit seeking to discard votes in four swing states and voted on January 6, 2021, to challenge electors from Arizona and Pennsylvania.

Conclusion

Tim Burchett’s career is a testament to the enduring power of plainspoken, grassroots politics. From the Tennessee General Assembly to the Knox County mayor’s office and now to Capitol Hill, he has remained fiercely loyal to the conservative principles of his East Tennessee upbringing. Whether he is cutting county debt, pushing for UFO disclosure, or building bamboo skateboards on his farm, Burchett approaches every endeavor with the same unvarnished authenticity that has defined his three decades in public life. As he eyes reelection in 2026 and beyond, one thing is certain: Tim Burchett will continue to say exactly what he thinks, consequences be damned.

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