2026 Tennessee gubernatorial election

2026 Tennessee gubernatorial election
	November 3, 2026
Incumbent Governor; Bill Lee; Republican	; ;

The 2026 Tennessee gubernatorial election is scheduled to take place on November 3, 2026, to elect the next governor of Tennessee, alongside other state and local elections. Incumbent Republican Governor Bill Lee is prohibited by the Constitution of Tennessee from seeking a third consecutive term. His second term expires on January 16, 2027.

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

Marsha Blackburn, U.S. Senator (2019–present)^[1]
John Rose, U.S. Representative from Tennessee's 6th congressional district (2019–present)^[2]

Potential

Joe Baker, attorney and businessman^[3]
Pete Hegseth, U.S. Secretary of Defense (2025–present) and candidate for U.S. Senate in Minnesota in 2012^[4]
Damon Hininger, CEO of CoreCivic^[3]
Cameron Sexton, Speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives (2019–present)^[3]

Declined

Mark Green, former U.S. representative from Tennessee's 7th congressional district (2019–2025)^[5]
Bill Hagerty, U.S. Senator (2021–present) (running for re-election)^[6]
Diana Harshbarger, U.S. representative from Tennessee's 1st congressional district (2021–present)^[7]
Glenn Jacobs, mayor of Knox County (2018–present) (endorsed Blackburn)^[8]
Stuart McWhorter, Tennessee Commissioner of Economic & Community Development (2022–present)^[9]

Endorsements

Marsha Blackburn

U.S. representatives

Tim Burchett, TN-02 (2019-present)^[10]
Chuck Fleischmann, TN-03 (2011–present)^[11]

State legislators

Jack Johnson, state senator from the 27th district (2023–present)^[12]
William Lamberth, state representative from the 44th district (2013–present)^[13]
Aron Maberry, state representative from the 68th district (2025–present)^[12]
Lee Reeves, state representative from the 65th district (2025–present)^[12]
Ken Yager, state senator from the 12th district (2009–present)^[12]

Local officials

Glenn Jacobs, mayor of Knox County (2018–present)^[8]

Declined to endorse

Statewide officials

Bill Lee, Governor of Tennessee (2019–present)^[14]

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size^[a]	Margin of error	Marsha Blackburn	John Rose	Undecided
Quantus Insights^[15]	August 5-7, 2025	(RV)	–	35%	6%	59%^[b]
Targoz Market Research^[16]^[A]	July 27 – August 1, 2025	1,200 (RV)	± 2.8%	66%	14%	19%
Fabrizio Lee & Associates (R)^[17]^[18]^[B]	January 13–16, 2025	800 (LV)	± 3.5%	71%	13%	16%

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

Jerri Green, Memphis city councilor from the 2nd district (2024–present)^[19]
Adam Kurtz, guitarist^[20]

Declined

Steve Cohen, U.S. representative from Tennessee's 9th congressional district (2007–present)^[21]

General election

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report^[22]	Solid R	January 23, 2025
Inside Elections^[23]	Solid R	February 6, 2025
Sabato's Crystal Ball^[24]	Safe R	May 1, 2025
Race to the WH^[25]	Safe R	June 30, 2025

Polling

Marsha Blackburn vs. Jerri Green

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size^[a]	Margin of error	Marsha Blackburn (R)	Jerri Green (D)	Other	Undecided
Quantus Insights^[26]	August 5-7, 2025	600 (RV)	± 3.5%	49%	28%	7%^[c]	17%

John Rose vs. Jerri Green

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size^[a]	Margin of error	John Rose (R)	Jerri Green (D)	Other	Undecided
Quantus Insights^[27]	August 5-7, 2025	600 (RV)	± 3.5%	43%	27%	8%^[d]	23%

Notes

^ ^a ^b ^c Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear
^ Tim Burchett with 5%; Cameron Saxton with 3%; "Someone else" with 14%
^ "Wouldn't Vote for Either" with 7%
^ "Wouldn't Vote for Either" with 8%

Partisan clients

^ This poll was sponsored by the Beacon Center of Tennessee
^ This poll was sponsored by Blackburn's campaign

References

^ Taylor, Sarah Grace (August 6, 2025). "Marsha Blackburn announces run for Governor of Tennessee". Nashville Banner. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
^ Jones, Vivian (March 20, 2025). "US Rep. John Rose launches 2026 bid for Tennessee governor". The Tennessean. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
^ ^a ^b ^c Jones, Vivian (March 24, 2025). "Tennessee Republican primary for governor: Who's in, who's out and more for 2026 elections". The Tennessean. Retrieved March 24, 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.
^ 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.
^ Housler, Kaitlin (February 11, 2025). "Tennessee U.S. Senator Bill Hagerty to Run for Reelection in 2026". The Tennessee Star. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
^ Pappert, Tom (January 28, 2025). "Rep. Diana Harshbarger Confirms Interest in Campaign for Tennessee Governor if Blackburn Does Not Run, Joining U.S. Senate". The Tennessee Star. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
^ ^a ^b 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
^ Schelzig, Erik (December 6, 2024). "Gubernatorial rumblings: McWhorter decides against '26 bid, Jacobs launches fundraising arm". State Affairs. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
^ 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.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d 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.
^ 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.
^ "If the 2026 Republican primary for Governor of Tennessee were held today, which of the following candidates would you be most likely to support?". August 8, 2025. Retrieved August 13, 2025.
^ "First Statewide Poll Shows Marsha Blackburn as Clear Frontrunner Over John Rose in GOP Primary for Governor". 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 Twitter.
^ 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.
^ 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.
^ 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 Twitter.
^ "2026 CPR Governor Race ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
^ "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
^ "2026 Governor". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
^ "Governor Forecast - 2026-2026". Race to the WH. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
^ "If the 2026 Republican primary for Governor of Tennessee were held today, which of the following candidates would you be most likely to support?". August 8, 2025. Retrieved August 13, 2025.
^ "If the 2026 Republican primary for Governor of Tennessee were held today, which of the following candidates would you be most likely to support?". August 8, 2025. Retrieved August 13, 2025.

External links

Official campaign websites

[Key-15] Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear

[17] Tim Burchett with 5%; Cameron Saxton with 3%; "Someone else" with 14%

[31] "Wouldn't Vote for Either" with 7%

[33] "Wouldn't Vote for Either" with 8%

[19] This poll was sponsored by the Beacon Center of Tennessee

[22] This poll was sponsored by Blackburn's campaign

[1] Taylor, Sarah Grace (August 6, 2025). "Marsha Blackburn announces run for Governor of Tennessee". Nashville Banner. Retrieved August 6, 2025.

[2] Jones, Vivian (March 20, 2025). "US Rep. John Rose launches 2026 bid for Tennessee governor". The Tennessean. Retrieved March 20, 2025.

[WhosIn-3] Jones, Vivian (March 24, 2025). "Tennessee Republican primary for governor: Who's in, who's out and more for 2026 elections". The Tennessean. Retrieved March 24, 2025.

[4] 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.

[5] 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.

[6] Housler, Kaitlin (February 11, 2025). "Tennessee U.S. Senator Bill Hagerty to Run for Reelection in 2026". The Tennessee Star. Retrieved February 11, 2025.

[7] Pappert, Tom (January 28, 2025). "Rep. Diana Harshbarger Confirms Interest in Campaign for Tennessee Governor if Blackburn Does Not Run, Joining U.S. Senate". The Tennessee Star. Retrieved February 4, 2025.

[Kane-8] 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

[9] Schelzig, Erik (December 6, 2024). "Gubernatorial rumblings: McWhorter decides against '26 bid, Jacobs launches fundraising arm". State Affairs. Retrieved December 9, 2024.

[Burchett-10] Morgan-Rumsey, Camruinn (August 18, 2025). "Rep. Tim Burchett endorses Blackburn for Tennessee governor". WVLT-TV. Retrieved August 18, 2025.

[11] Housler, Kaitlin (March 6, 2025). "Tennessee U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann Endorses Marsha Blackburn for Governor". The Tennessee Star. Retrieved March 9, 2025.

[TN-12] Schmidt, Zachery (August 6, 2025). "Tennessee Republicans Back Marsha Blackburn for Tennessee Governor". The Tennessee Star. Retrieved August 6, 2025.

[13] Rau, Nate (August 7, 2025). "Blackburn reshapes 2026 race for Tennessee governor". Axios. Retrieved August 7, 2025.

[14] 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.

[16] "If the 2026 Republican primary for Governor of Tennessee were held today, which of the following candidates would you be most likely to support?". August 8, 2025. Retrieved August 13, 2025.

[18] "First Statewide Poll Shows Marsha Blackburn as Clear Frontrunner Over John Rose in GOP Primary for Governor". August 7, 2025. Retrieved August 8, 2025.

[20] Caputo, Marc (January 23, 2025). "Sen. Blackburn would be 'clear frontrunner' for Tenn. governor, Trump pollster finds". Axios. Retrieved June 22, 2025.

[21] Caputo, Marc [@MarcACaputo] (January 23, 2025). "Poll memo" (Tweet) – via Twitter.

[23] 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.

[24] 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.

[:1-25] 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 Twitter.

[26] "2026 CPR Governor Race ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved January 23, 2025.

[27] "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved February 7, 2025.

[28] "2026 Governor". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved May 1, 2025.

[29] "Governor Forecast - 2026-2026". Race to the WH. Retrieved June 30, 2025.

[30] "If the 2026 Republican primary for Governor of Tennessee were held today, which of the following candidates would you be most likely to support?". August 8, 2025. Retrieved August 13, 2025.

[32] "If the 2026 Republican primary for Governor of Tennessee were held today, which of the following candidates would you be most likely to support?". August 8, 2025. Retrieved August 13, 2025.

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Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

Potential

Declined

Endorsements

Polling

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

Declined

General election

Predictions

Polling

See also

Notes

References

External links