Nashville pedal steel guitarist Adam "Ditch" Kurtz is running an unconventional campaign for Tennessee governor as a Democrat, a rare foray into electoral politics for someone from the country and Americana music scene. He is a long-shot candidate in a deep-red state where Republican incumbent Bill Lee is stepping down due to term limits, and Kurtz currently trails Memphis councilwoman Jerri Green in polling among Democratic contenders, but his candidacy is notable for a genre that typically avoids overt political statements.

Kurtz, who has toured with artists including Joshua Ray Walker, Silverada and Sunny Sweeney and fronts his own Buck Owens tribute act, says he was spurred to run after making political videos during the 2024 presidential race. His campaign, launched in March 2025, promotes left-leaning policies such as affordable healthcare, workers' rights, education funding, a higher minimum wage, and protections for LGBTQ and immigrant communities; he hopes his rapport with country music audiences can help him connect across political divides. He follows other musicians who have recently entered local politics, including BJ Barham of American Aquarium, who narrowly lost a North Carolina town council race in 2025, and Texas guitarist Hayden Pedigo's 2019 Amarillo city council bid.