Congressman Duncan received the BS in journalism from UT in 1969 and the JD from George Washington University in 1973. Following his admission to the bar, he established a private law practice in Knoxville. He was appointed state trial judge (Criminal Court) by Governor Lamar Alexander in 1981 and served in that capacity until 1988, when he successfully ran for his father’s congressional seat. He served in the army national guard from 1970 to 1987, with a final rank of captain. He received the Spirit of Enterprise Award from the US Chamber of Commerce in 1995.
Duncan’s efforts to cut government waste, reduce taxes, and limit bureaucratic red tape have been recognized by organizations and news media such as ABC News, CBS News, the Wall Street Journal, CNN, and U.S. News and World Report. He has been named one of the top five fiscally conservative members of Congress, and has received the Super Hero Award from the Citizens Against Government Waste.