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NH

Diana

Harshbarger

Republican
TN
-1
Johnson City, Kingsport, Morristown
Diana Harshbarger

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Personal Background

Birthdate

1/1/60 (60)

Race/Ethnicity

Caucasian/White

Gender Identification

F

Religion

Christian

Family

Married, 1 child

ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s, East Tennessee State University; Doctor of Pharmacy, Mercer University College of Pharmacy

KEY HEALTH LINK

After graduating from pharmacy school, Harshbarger returned to Kingsport where she has been a licensed pharmacist since 1987. She is a former board member of the International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists.

Political/Professional Background

LEGISLATIVE EXPERIENCE

Never held elected office

2020 ELECTION CONTEXT

Harshbarger emerged from a crowded field of 16 candidates for the Republican nomination in TN-1, with 19.2% of the vote. She largely self-funded her campaign.

INCUMBENT REPLACED

Phil Roe (R), retired

MOST RECENT PROFESSION

Owner/Pharmacist, Premier Pharmacy

POLITICAL BIOGRAPHY

Harshbarger has been a licensed pharmacist since 1987. She and her husband, Bob, operate Premier Pharmacy, a compounding pharmacy. Her first office run was in 2020.

On The Issues

COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Harshbarger has stated she would support a bill to sanction China for perceived negligence during to the COVID-19 pandemic.

HEALTH COVERAGE

Harshbarger wants to repeal and replace the ACA. She has stated, "The first steps I will take in Congress will be to lower prescription drug prices, increase generic drug pricing transparency as well as increase competition among health insurance plans."

MARIJUANA

No Info

MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION

Harshbarger supports a three-pronged approach to the opioid crisis: "cracking down on the illegal drugs, specifically heroin and fentanyl, coming across our borders; increasing funding for rehabilitation resources so those seeking help face fewer hurdles when receiving assistance; and holding those responsible for creating this crisis accountable."

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

As a pharmacist, Harshbarger is concerned about the over-reliance on pharmaceutical production in foreign nations, especially generic drugs. Harshbarger supports legislation to increase drug pricing transparency.

VETERANS HEALTH CARE

Harshbarger supports giving every Veteran "access to both the physical and mental health care they rightfully deserve."

WOMEN’S HEALTH

Harshbarger is "100% pro-life." Harshbarger supports eliminating federal funding for programs that support abortion services, including Planned Parenthood.

OTHER HEALTH CARE ISSUES

In 2012, the candidate’s husband, Robert Harshbarger, Jr., 53, was charged with one count of selling misbranded drugs, one count of mail fraud and five counts of health care fraud. Robert, President of American Inhalation Medication Specialists, was indicted for substituting a cheaper drug imported from China for the iron sucrose that the Federal Drug Administration has approved for kidney dialysis patients. Robert pleaded guilty to two charges and was sentenced to four years in prison. Diana held the role of secretary at the company from 2000 to 2013, when she assumed the role of president at the beginning of Robert’s prison sentence. The company dissolved in 2018. Harshbarger says she would bar undocumented immigrants to the U.S. from receiving free health care.

DID YOU KNOW?

Harshbarger owns Premier Pharmacy in Kingsport, TN, and is a member of the National Community Pharmacists Association.