Joe Leurs has entered the Republican Primary race for the Special Election of Tennessee’s Congressional District 7, formerly held by Dr. Mark Green. Dr. Green announced his early retirement from Congress in July. Early voting for the Primary to fill his vacant seat begins September 17, 2025. The Primary election will be held on October 7th, followed by the general election on December 2, 2025.
“Like President Trump, I understand that our communities and businesses cannot thrive as long as crime runs rampant,” Leurs noted. “And like President Trump, I’m committed to addressing it head-on!”
Joe Leurs is a retired combat veteran who served in the United States Marines. His initial contract was set to expire shortly after 9/11 devastated our country, and he could have left the USMC, but the country needed the Marines. He chose to reenlist and served a total of 13 years.
Upon his honorable discharge in 2003 after being wounded on deployment during Iraqi Freedom and being awarded the Purple Heart, he joined the Metro Nashville Police Department and served there for ten years. He specialized in investigating gangs and narcotic trafficking as an undercover detective. He continued to serve in the Army Reserve while simultaneously earning his MBA from Lipscomb University thanks to the G.I. Bill.
He has leveraged his education in business as an entrepreneur, including holding a U.S. Patent for inventing a seatbelt safety device for first responders.
Joe Leurs is an innate protector and public servant. He answered the call after the 9/11 crisis; he was the one who came running when his neighbor dialed 911 in crisis, and he is raising his hand to serve again now with our country in a new state of crisis. His unique understanding of multicultural crime is a standout differentiator in this race. Migrant crime from military-age men spanning many countries, violent gangs, and drug/sex cartels is rampant in our country now after the last Administration’s policies opened our borders.
Joe’s vast experience in understanding complex cultures, having insider knowledge of how gangs and cartels operate, and, more importantly, his wisdom in how to stop them, will prove to be invaluable in our United States Congress. Joe will bring exemplary public service, business acumen, and the ability to form alliances with people from diverse political viewpoints to the House floor.
The top priorities for Joe Leurs’ campaign are border security, migrant crime, furthering the policies of the Trump Administration, reducing spending/waste and the size of government, and expanding mental healthcare/services for veterans and Gold Star families. He is committed to “Making America Safe Again”, starting with the protection of our local communities and neighborhoods.
