2026 Tennessee gubernatorial election
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November 3, 2026
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| Elections in Tennessee |
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 Government |
The 2026 Tennessee gubernatorial election is scheduled to take place on November 3, 2026, to elect the governor of Tennessee. Primary elections took place on August 6, 2026.[1] Republican incumbent Bill Lee is term-limited and cannot seek a third consecutive term.
Democrats have not won a statewide election in Tennessee since Phil Bredesen was re-elected governor in 2006. Either major party nominee would be the first female governor of Tennessee.[2]
Republican primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Nominee
[edit]- Marsha Blackburn, U.S. senator (2019–present)[3]
Eliminated in primary
[edit]- Monty Fritts, state representative from the 32nd district (2023–present)[4]
- John Rose, U.S. representative from Tennessee's 6th congressional district (2019–present)[5]
Declined
[edit]- Mark Green, former U.S. representative from Tennessee's 7th congressional district (2019–2025)[6]
- Bill Hagerty, U.S. senator (2021–present) (running for re-election; endorsed Blackburn)[7][8]
- Tre Hargett, secretary of state of Tennessee (2009–present)[9]
- Diana Harshbarger, U.S. representative from Tennessee's 1st congressional district (2021–present)[10] (running for re-election)
- Pete Hegseth, United States Secretary of Defense (2025–present)[11]
- Glenn Jacobs, mayor of Knox County (2018–present) (endorsed, and later appointed as campaign treasurer to, Blackburn)[12][13]
- Stuart McWhorter, Tennessee Commissioner of Economic & Community Development (2022–present)[14]
- Barry Wilmore, retired NASA astronaut and United States Navy test pilot[15]
Endorsements
[edit]Marsha Blackburn
- U.S. senators
- Bill Hagerty, Tennessee (2021–present)[8]
- U.S. representatives
- Tim Burchett, TN-02 (2019–present)[16]
- Chuck Fleischmann, TN-03 (2011–present)[17]
- Matt Van Epps, TN-07 (2025–present)[18]
- Jimmy Duncan, former TN-02 (1988–2019)[19]
- State legislators
- Jack Johnson, majority leader of the Tennessee Senate (2019–present) from SD-27 (2007–present)[20]
- William Lamberth, majority leader of the Tennessee House of Representatives (2019–present) from HD-44 (2013–present)[21]
- 3 other state senators[a]
- 3 other state representatives[b]
- Local officials
- Glenn Jacobs, mayor of Knox County (2018–present)[12]
- Individuals
- Riley Gaines, conservative activist and former college athlete[25]
- Dave Ramsey, radio personality[25]
- Organizations
John Rose
- U.S. representatives
- Diane Black, former TN-06 (2011–2019)[32]
- State legislators
- Mae Beavers, SD-17 (2003–2017)[33]
- Individuals
Declined to endorse
- Executive branch officials
- Donald Trump, president of the United States (2017–2021, 2025–present)[35]
- Statewide officials
- Bill Lee, governor of Tennessee (2019–present)[36]
Polling
[edit]Aggregate polls
| Source of poll aggregation |
Dates administered |
Dates updated |
Marsha Blackburn |
John Rose |
Monty Fritts |
Other/ Undecided[c] |
Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Race to the WH[37] | through August 1, 2026 | August 5, 2026 | 39.1% | 28.3% | 22.1% | 10.5% | Blackburn +10.8% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[d] |
Margin of error |
Marsha Blackburn |
John Rose |
Monty Fritts |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wick[38][e][A] | July 29 – August 1, 2026 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 51% | 32% | 17% | – | – |
| 45% | 28% | 17% | – | 9% | ||||
| Fabrizio, Lee & Associates (R)[39][B] | July 26–28, 2026 | 800 (LV) | ± 3.5% | 42% | 25% | 22% | – | 11% |
| OnMessage Inc.[40] | July 23–25, 2026 | 800 (LV) | ± 3.5% | 35% | 31% | 26% | – | 9% |
| Fabrizio, Lee & Associates (R)[41][B] | June 28–30, 2026 | – (LV) | – | 51% | 20% | 12% | – | 17% |
| McLaughlin & Associates (R)[42][C] | June 28–30, 2026 | 600 (LV) | – | 44% | 29% | 13% | – | 14% |
| Targoz Market Research[43][D] | April 20–27, 2026 | 529 (LV) | ± 4.2% | 63% | 10% | 5% | – | 22% |
| VictoryPhones[44][E] | March 18–24, 2026 | 300 (LV) | ± 5.7% | 56% | 14% | 11% | – | 20% |
| Cygnal (R)[45] | March 16–17, 2026 | 500 (LV) | ± 4.4% | 58% | 7% | – | 5% | 30% |
| VictoryPhones[46][E] | February 5–8, 2026 | – (LV) | – | 61% | 8% | 5% | – | 26% |
| Targoz Market Research[47][D] | January 11–18, 2026 | 559 (LV) | – | 56% | 9% | 7% | 1%[f] | 27% |
| Targoz Market Research[48][D] | October 26–29, 2025 | 545 (RV) | – | 58% | 9% | 5% | – | 29% |
| Quantus Insights (R)[49] | August 5–7, 2025 | – | – | 35% | 6% | – | 22%[g] | 37% |
| Targoz Market Research[50][D] | July 27 – August 1, 2025 | 623 (RV) | ± 2.8% | 66% | 14% | – | – | 19% |
| Fabrizio, Lee & Associates (R)[51][52][B] | January 13–16, 2025 | 800 (LV) | ± 3.5% | 71% | 13% | – | – | 16% |
Results
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Marsha Blackburn | 311,329 | 43.4 | |
| Republican | John Rose | 235,512 | 32.9 | |
| Republican | Monty Fritts | 167,971 | 23.4 | |
| Write-in | 1,862 | 0.3 | ||
| Total votes | 716,674 | 100.0 | ||
Democratic primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Nominee
[edit]- Jerri Green, Memphis city councilor from the 2nd district (2024–present)[54]
Eliminated in primary
[edit]Declined
[edit]- Steve Cohen, U.S. representative from Tennessee's 9th congressional district (2007–present)[58]
Endorsements
[edit]Jerri Green
- State legislators
- Heidi Campbell, SD-20 (2020–present)[59]
- Local officials
- Lee Harris, mayor of Shelby County (2018–present)[60]
- Organizations
Polling
[edit]| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[d] |
Margin of error |
Carnita Atwater |
Tim Cyr |
Jerri Green |
Adam Kurtz |
Kevin Lee McCants |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Targoz Market Research[43][D] | April 20–27, 2026 | 400 (LV) | ± 4.8% | 8% | 3% | 14% | 2% | 11% | 62% |
Results
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Jerri Green | 244,194 | 69.0 | |
| Democratic | Carnita Atwater | 63,254 | 17.9 | |
| Democratic | Kevin Lee McCants | 18,961 | 5.4 | |
| Democratic | Tim Cyr | 14,796 | 4.2 | |
| Democratic | Adam Kurtz | 12,456 | 3.5 | |
| Total votes | 353,661 | 100.0 | ||
Independents
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Declared
[edit]- David Hatley, businessman[63]
- Lauren Pinkston, former Lipscomb University professor[64]
- Robert Vick, educator[65]
General election
[edit]Predictions
[edit]| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Inside Elections[66] | Solid R | August 28, 2025 |
| Race to the WH[67] | Safe R | June 19, 2026 |
| Fox News[68] | Solid R | July 23, 2026 |
| RealClearPolitics[69] | Solid R | June 5, 2026 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[70] | Safe R | September 4, 2025 |
| The Cook Political Report[71] | Safe R | September 11, 2025 |
Endorsements
[edit]Marsha Blackburn (R)
- Executive branch officials
- Donald Trump, president of the United States (2017–2021, 2025–present)[72]
Lauren Pinkston (I)
- Statewide officials
- Christine Todd Whitman, former governor of New Jersey (1994–2001) (Forward)[73]
- Kerry Healy, lieutenant governor of Massachusetts (2003–2007) (Forward)[73]
- Political parties
Polling
[edit]| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[d] |
Margin of error |
Marsha Blackburn (R) |
Jerri Green (D) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Targoz Market Research[43][D] | April 20–27, 2026 | 1,200 (RV) | ± 2.8% | 51% | 27% | 22% | |
| Quantus Insights (R)[49] | August 5–7, 2025 | 600 (RV) | ± 3.5% | 49% | 28% | 7%[h] | 17% |
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ↑
- Tom Hatcher, SD-02 (2025–present)[22]
- Ken Yager, SD-12 (2009–present)[20]
- Page Walley, SD-24 (2021–present)[23]
- ↑
- Aron Maberry, HD-68 (2025–present)[20]
- Jake McCalmon, HD-63 (2023–present)[24]
- Lee Reeves, HD-65 (2025–present)[20]
- ↑ Calculated by taking the difference of 100% and all other candidates combined.
- 1 2 3 4 Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear - ↑ Password to access poll is "govols"
- ↑ "Would not vote" with 1%
- ↑ "Someone else" with 14%; Tim Burchett with 5%; Cameron Sexton with 3%
- ↑ "Wouldn't Vote for Either" with 7%
- ↑ "Wouldn't Vote for Either" with 8%
- Partisan clients
References
[edit]- ↑ "2026 State Primary Election Dates". NCSL. May 9, 2025. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
- ↑ Jarrett, Kim (August 6, 2026). "Tennessee poised to have its first female governor". The Mountaineer. Retrieved August 13, 2026.
- ↑ Taylor, Sarah Grace (August 6, 2025). "Marsha Blackburn announces run for Governor of Tennessee". Nashville Banner. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
- ↑ Grace Taylor, Sarah (September 8, 2025). "State Rep. Monty Fritts announces 2026 governor run". Nashville Banner. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
- ↑ Jones, Vivian (March 20, 2025). "US Rep. John Rose launches 2026 bid for Tennessee governor". The Tennessean. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
- ↑ Solender, Andrew (December 12, 2024). "GOP Rep. Ciscomani passes on run for Arizona governor". Axios. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
Rep. Mark Green (R-Tenn.) will not run for governor in 2026, according to a source familiar with his thinking.
- ↑ Feinberg, Allie (February 11, 2025). "U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty will seek reelection, quashing talk of a run for Tennessee governor". Knoxville News Sentinel. Gannett. Retrieved August 23, 2025.
- 1 2 Teague, Slater (July 23, 2026). "Sen. Bill Hagerty endorses Marsha Blackburn for Tennessee governor". WJHL11. Retrieved July 28, 2026.
- ↑ Sher, Andy (August 28, 2025). "Hargett opts out of joining Tennessee governor's race". State Affairs. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
- ↑ Smith, Ben (July 16, 2025). "Race for the next Tenn. governor begins to take form". Johnson City Press. Six Rivers Media. Retrieved August 23, 2025.
- ↑ Lubold, Gordon; Kube, Courtney; Bowman, Bridget; Tsirkin, Julie (July 29, 2025). "Pete Hegseth has discussed running for political office in Tennessee, sources say". NBC News. Retrieved July 29, 2025.
- 1 2 Feinberg, Allie (January 14, 2025). "Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs endorses Sen. Marsha Blackburn for governor". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
Jacobs spent months laying the groundwork for a run for governor in 2026, but endorsed Blackburn the night of Jan. 14
- ↑ "Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs to be campaign treasurer in Blackburn's run for governor". Wate.com. August 7, 2025. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
- ↑ Schelzig, Erik (December 6, 2024). "Gubernatorial rumblings: McWhorter decides against '26 bid, Jacobs launches fundraising arm". State Affairs. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
- ↑ Sauter, Danica (March 8, 2026). "Barry 'Butch' Wilmore opts out of TN governor bid, says candidacy was never official". WVLT-TV. Retrieved March 10, 2026.
- ↑ Morgan-Rumsey, Camruinn (August 18, 2025). "Rep. Tim Burchett endorses Blackburn for Tennessee governor". WVLT-TV. Retrieved August 18, 2025.
- ↑ Housler, Kaitlin (March 6, 2025). "Tennessee U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann Endorses Marsha Blackburn for Governor". The Tennessee Star. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
- ↑ "Congressman Matt Van Epps endorses Marsha Blackburn for Governor". WBBJTV. June 3, 2026. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
- ↑ Housler, Kaitlin (September 16, 2025). "Former TN Congressman Jimmy Duncan Endorses Marsha Blackburn for Governor". The Tennessee Star. Retrieved September 24, 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 Schmidt, Zachery (August 6, 2025). "Tennessee Republicans Back Marsha Blackburn for Tennessee Governor". The Tennessee Star. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
- ↑ Rau, Nate (August 7, 2025). "Blackburn reshapes 2026 race for Tennessee governor". Axios. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
- ↑ Harbison, Glenn (August 19, 2025). "Blackburn brings campaign to Polk County". The News Observer. Retrieved July 28, 2026.
- ↑ Walley, Page (July 11, 2026). "Blackburn is best equipped to lead Tennessee to brighter future | Opinion". Jackson Sun. Retrieved July 28, 2026.
- ↑ Housler, Kaitlin (August 6, 2025). "U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn Launches Bid for Tennessee Governor". Tennessee Star. Retrieved November 14, 2025.
- 1 2 3 Masters, Matt (August 5, 2026). "Endorsements Roll in Ahead of Election Day". Nashville Scene. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
- ↑ "AFP Endorses Marsha Blackburn for Governor". Tristardaily. February 26, 2026. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
- ↑ Mitola, Will (September 4, 2025). "ICYMI: CfG PAC Endorses Sen. Blackburn in TN-GOV Race". Club for Growth PAC. Retrieved September 5, 2025.
- ↑ Housler, Kaitlin (July 14, 2026). "NRA Backing Blackburn for Tennessee Governor". Tennessee Star. Retrieved July 15, 2026.
- ↑ Wigginton, Tim (May 29, 2026). "Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & Industry Endorses Senator Marsha Blackburn For Governor". The Blue Ridge Times. Retrieved July 28, 2026.
- ↑ Housler, Kaitlin (May 25, 2026). "Tennessee Professional Fire Fighters Backing Blackburn for Governor". The Tennessee Star. Retrieved July 28, 2026.
- ↑ Housler, Kaitlin (December 8, 2025). "Turning Point Action Backs Marsha Blackburn in Tennessee 2026 Governor's Race". Tennessee Star. Retrieved December 9, 2025.
- ↑ Stockard, Sam (July 28, 2026). "Candidates bank on endorsements as primary draws near". Tennessee Lookout. Retrieved July 28, 2026.
- ↑ "Former State Senator Mae Beavers Endorses John Rose for Tennessee Governor". TriStar Daily. May 26, 2026. Retrieved July 15, 2026.
- ↑ "John Rose receives endorsements to be next governor". Main Street Media TN. July 15, 2026. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
- ↑ Taylor, Sarah Grace (June 8, 2026). "Trump says he won't endorse in Tennessee's governor's race despite relationships with Blackburn, Rose". News Channel 5 Nashville (WTVF). Retrieved June 14, 2026.
- ↑ Sauter, Danica (August 13, 2025). "Gov. Lee says he won't endorse anyone following Sen. Marsha Blackburn's gubernatorial announcement". WEMU. Retrieved August 13, 2025.
- ↑ "Latest Polling for Governor Races – 2025-2026". Race to the WH. Retrieved July 30, 2026.
- ↑ "TN Elections Poll — August 2026". Wick. August 5, 2026. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
- ↑ Taylor, Sarah Grace (August 1, 2026). "Blackburn Shares Unreleased Poll to Combat Claims of Rose's Momentum in Tennessee Governor's Race". Nashville Banner. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
- ↑ Taylor, Sarah Grace (July 30, 2026). "Dueling Polls Show Rose Closing in on Blackburn in Tennessee Governor's Race; Fritts Gaining Traction". Nashville Banner. Retrieved July 30, 2026.
- ↑ Schelzig, Erik (July 13, 2026). "Blackburn poll indicates her lead is double the margin of Rose survey". State Affairs. Retrieved July 13, 2026.
- ↑ Schelzig, Erik (July 7, 2026). "Internal Rose poll suggests late-campaign gain on Blackburn". State Affairs. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
- 1 2 3 "May 2026". TennSight. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
- ↑ "Tennessee Statewide Republican Primary Voter Survey". VictoryPhones. March 26, 2026. Retrieved March 26, 2026.
- ↑ Buchanan, Brent (March 23, 2026). "Coronation in Progress: Blackburn Dominates...and Other Issues" (PDF). Cygnal. Retrieved March 23, 2026.
- ↑ "Tennessee Statewide General Election Survey" (PDF). Tennesseans for Student Success. February 17, 2026. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
- ↑ "January 2026 Beacon Poll". TennSight. February 2, 2026. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
- ↑ "November 2025 Beacon Poll Results". Beacon Center of Tennessee. November 5, 2025. Retrieved November 6, 2025.
- 1 2 3 "Quantus Insights – Tennessee August 2025". Quantus Insights. August 8, 2025. Retrieved August 13, 2025.
- ↑ "First Statewide Poll Shows Marsha Blackburn as Clear Frontrunner Over John Rose in GOP Primary for Governor". Beacon Center of Tennessee. August 7, 2025. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- ↑ Caputo, Marc (January 23, 2025). "Sen. Blackburn would be 'clear frontrunner' for Tenn. governor, Trump pollster finds". Axios. Retrieved June 22, 2025.
- ↑ Caputo, Marc [@MarcACaputo] (January 23, 2025). "Poll memo" (Tweet) – via X (formerly Twitter).
- 1 2 "Tennessee Governor Primary Election Results". The New York Times. August 6, 2026. Retrieved August 8, 2026.
- ↑ Finton, Lucas (July 14, 2025). "Memphis City Councilwoman Jerri Green officially throws hat into Tennessee governor's race". The Commercial Appeal. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
- 1 2 Cornell, Josh (September 16, 2025). "The Civic Scoop: Cornell on the ongoing Tennessee governor's race". The Highland Echo. Retrieved September 16, 2025.
There are also four democrats running for this position: Jerri Green, Carnita Atwater, Adam Kurtz, and Tim Cyr...
- ↑ Weiner, Natalie (July 8, 2025). "Issue #106: Meet the Pedal Steel Player Running for Governor of Tennessee". Don't Rock The Inbox. Retrieved August 13, 2025.
- ↑ "Meet Kevin Lee". Retrieved June 12, 2026.
- ↑ Solender, Andrew [@andrewsolender] (November 27, 2024). "Here's what he told me: 'I'm flattered that I'm considered a gubernatorial candidate. But in Tennessee, the Democrat nominee has a better chance of winning than I have of being Super Bowl MVP, but not much better.'" (Tweet). Retrieved November 28, 2024 – via X (formerly Twitter).
- ↑ Campbell, Heidi (July 17, 2026). "Why Jerri Green is the Common Sense Voice We Need". Main Street Media.
- ↑ Jones, Vivian (November 24, 2025). "An early look at how Tennessee's 2026 governor's race is shaping up". The Tennessean. Retrieved November 25, 2025.
- ↑ "Indivisible Tennessee Endorsements". Blue Voter Guide. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
- ↑ "2026 Election Information". Planned Parenthood Action. April 15, 2026. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
- ↑ Rafferty, Colin (March 10, 2026). "Elizabethton-born entrepreneur announces candidacy for governor". WJHL. Retrieved March 11, 2026.
- ↑ Rayner, Ruby (November 21, 2025). "Lauren Pinkston, an independent running for Tennessee governor, wants to give people a third option". Chattanooga Times Free Press. Retrieved November 24, 2025.
- ↑ "40-Year East Tennessee Educator Dr. Vick Announces Independent Run for Governor". Claiborne Progress. January 27, 2026. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
- ↑ "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
- ↑ "Governor Forecast – 2026-2026". Race to the WH. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
- ↑ "Fox News Power Rankings: The top races to watch as 36 states choose their next governor". Fox News. Rémy Numa. Retrieved July 24, 2026.
- ↑ "2026 Governor Races | RealClearPolitics". RealClearPolitics. Retrieved June 5, 2026.
- ↑ "2026 Governor". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
- ↑ "2026 CPR Governor Race ratings". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
- ↑ Fiscus, Kirsten. "Trump backs Blackburn despite no endorsement before primaries". The Daily Herald. Retrieved August 9, 2026.
- 1 2 "Former GOP governors endorse independent for TN governor". The Tennessean. Retrieved June 24, 2026.
- ↑ "CANDIDATES". Forward Party. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
External links
[edit]- Official campaign websites
