The 2022 Tennessee gubernatorial election took place on November 8, 2022, to elect the governor of Tennessee, alongside other state and local elections. Incumbent Republican Governor Bill Lee was elected to a second term with 64.9% of the vote, defeating his Democratic challenger Jason Martin. Lee improved on his performance from 2018.

The primary elections took place on August 4, 2022, with Lee and Martin winning their respective parties' nominations.

During the general election, Lee flipped reliably Democratic Haywood County, home to Brownsville. It is one of only two remaining counties in Tennessee, along with Shelby County, with a majority African-American population. Haywood County had not voted Republican on a presidential level since 1972. Martin won only Shelby and Davidson counties. This was the first time in state history that Davidson County did not vote for the winner in a gubernatorial re-election since Tennessee began allowing governors to serve for two consecutive terms.

Voter turnout for the 2022 midterm elections in Tennessee was the lowest it had been in nearly a decade, with only 38.6% of Tennessee's registered voters turning out. This was far below the 2020 presidential election in Tennessee, which saw a turnout of 69.3%. The last time turnout was this low in Tennessee was in the 2014 midterm elections. Tennessee's neighboring state Alabama saw a significant drop in voter turnout as well.

Bill Lee was sworn in for his second term on January 21, 2023, at War Memorial Plaza in downtown Nashville. In his inaugural address, he outlined priorities including transportation and energy planning related to the state’s growth, environmental issues, and reforms within the Department of Children’s Services, such as staffing and foster care and adoption systems. He also referenced workforce development through vocational and technical education and called for civility in political discourse.

Republican primary Candidates Nominee Bill Lee, incumbent governor

Disqualified Curtis Carney, business owner Tyler Hagerman Patricia Morrison

Declined Andy Ogles, mayor of Maury County (successfully ran for U.S. House)

Endorsements

Results

Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Jason Martin, pulmonologist and critical care specialist at Sumner Regional Medical Center and former Meharry Medical College professor

Eliminated in primary Carnita Atwater, leader of New Chicago Community Development Corporation in Northern Memphis J. B. Smiley Jr., Memphis city councilor

Withdrew Casey Nicholson, minister

Declined Gloria Johnson, state representative (endorsed Jason Martin)

Endorsements

Results

Independents Candidates Declared Constance Every, nonprofit founder John Gentry, accountant Basil Marceaux, businessman and perennial candidate Alfred O'Neil Deborah Rouse, candidate for president of the United States in 2020 Michael Scantland, sales manager Rick Tyler, perennial candidate (also ran for U.S. House) Charles Van Morgan, small business owner

Disqualified Lemichael DaShaun-Wilson Hosie Holomon III Wendell Jackson Jake Johns

General election Predictions Source Ranking As of The Cook Political Report March 4, 2022Inside Elections July 22, 2022 Sabato's Crystal Ball June 29, 2022PoliticoApril 1, 2022 RCPJanuary 10, 2022Fox News May 12, 2022538August 4, 2022Elections DailyNovember 7, 2022

Fundraising Campaign finance reports as of July 5, 2022CandidateRaisedSpentCash on handBill Lee (R)$3,516,828$3,316,034$375,465Jason Martin (D)$187,424$495,649$160,736Source: Tennessee Registry of Election Finance

Post-primary endorsements

Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error BillLee (R) JasonMartin (D)Other UndecidedRABA ResearchJuly 21–31, 2022549 (LV)± 4.2%52%28%6%14%

Bill Lee vs. generic opponent Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error BillLee (R) GenericOpponent UndecidedVanderbilt UniversityVanderbilt UniversityApril 26 – May 14, 20221,000 (RV)± 3.8%48%39%12%

Results

By county County Bill LeeRepublican Jason MartinDemocratic Other votes Totalvotes % # % # % #Anderson 65.80% 14,003 32.11% 6,832 2.09% 445 21,280Bedford 79.30%8,401 18.27%1,9362.43%257 10,594Benton 79.14% 3,247 18.43% 756 2.43% 100 4,103Bledsoe 86.06% 2,933 12.27% 418 1.67% 57 3,408Blount 74.41% 29,470 23.52% 9,316 2.07% 820 39,606Bradley 81.97% 20,655 16.26% 4,096 1.77% 447 25,198Campbell 81.96% 6,118 15.85% 1,197 2.19% 165 7,550Cannon 80.74% 3,082 17.50% 668 1.76% 67 3,817 Carroll 80.23% 5,733 17.74% 1,268 2.03% 145 7,146 Carter 80.10% 11,602 17.78% 2,575 2.12% 307 14,484Cheatham 71.27% 8,309 26.92% 3,138 1.81% 211 11,658Chester 83.54% 3,756 13.83% 622 2.62% 118 4,496 Claiborne 83.99% 5,652 14.18% 954 1.83% 123 6,729Clay 80.03% 1,451 16.93% 307 3.04% 55 1,813Cocke 81.17% 6,618 15.95% 1,300 2.88% 235 8,153Coffee 77.13% 10,529 20.59% 2,811 2.28% 311 13,651Crockett 82.30% 2,734 16.23% 539 1.48% 49 3,322Cumberland 82.38% 17,864 16.16% 3,505 1.46% 315 21,684Davidson 34.24% 60,900 63.38% 112,708 2.38% 4,229 177,837Decatur 80.65% 2,713 17.72% 596 1.63% 55 3,364 DeKalb 80.07% 4,118 17.71% 911 2.22% 114 5,143Dickson 73.73% 9,970 24.07% 3,255 2.20% 297 13,522Dyer 80.61% 6,791 16.81% 1,416 2.58% 217 8,424 Fayette 75.93% 10,868 22.44% 3,212 1.63% 234 14,314Fentress 86.69% 4,559 11.12% 585 2.19% 115 5,259Franklin 75.05% 8,643 22.93% 2,641 2.02% 232 11,516Gibson 76.61% 9,640 21.21% 2,669 2.18% 274 12,583 Giles 76.23% 5,832 20.68% 1,582 3.09% 237 7,651Grainger 85.28% 4,588 13.12% 706 1.60% 86 5,380Greene 79.26% 13,574 17.83% 3,054 2.91% 498 16,951Grundy 80.82% 2,735 15.90% 538 3.28% 111 3,384Hamblen 78.86% 10,335 19.01% 2,492 2.13% 279 13,126Hamilton 60.02%60,647 38.46% 38,862 1.52% 1,542 101,051Hancock 84.60% 1,110 12.58% 165 2.82% 37 1,312 Hardeman 62.41% 3,486 35.50% 1,983 2.09% 117 5,586Hardin 85.93% 5,606 12.45% 812 1.62% 106 6,524Hawkins 82.42% 11,669 15.56% 2,203 2.02% 286 14,158Haywood 51.14%2,01147.30% 1,8601.56%613,932Henderson 85.61% 5,551 12.68% 822 1.71% 111 6,484Henry 78.52% 6,674 18.87% 1,604 2.61% 222 8,500Hickman 78.76% 4,577 19.41% 1,128 1.83% 106 5,811Houston 74.25% 1,837 23.00% 569 2.75% 68 2,474Humphreys 74.63% 3,344 22.85% 1,024 2.52% 113 4,481Jackson 75.80% 2,415 19.99% 637 4.21% 134 3,186Jefferson 81.52% 10,806 15.90% 2,107 2.58% 342 13,255Johnson 85.05% 4,415 13.25% 688 1.70% 88 5,191Knox 59.95%76,880 38.32%49,1401.73% 2,222128,242Lake 78.69% 912 17.69% 205 3.62% 42 1,159Lauderdale 69.81% 3,346 27.56% 1,321 2.63% 126 4,793Lawrence 81.96% 8,276 15.34% 1,549 2.70% 272 10,097Lewis 80.09% 2,723 18.03% 613 1.88% 64 3,400Lincoln 81.89% 7,452 15.45% 1,406 2.66% 242 9,100Loudon 78.15% 15,285 19.43% 3,801 2.42% 473 19,559Macon 85.13% 4,140 12.03% 585 2.84% 138 4,863Madison 63.77% 15,357 34.24% 8,246 1.99% 479 24,082 Marion 77.23% 5,947 20.91% 1,610 1.86% 143 7,700Marshall 75.99% 6,734 21.00% 1,861 3.01% 267 8,862Maury 72.26% 22,198 25.75% 7,910 1.99% 610 30,718McMinn 80.35% 10,371 14.39% 1,858 5.26% 679 12,908McNairy 83.06% 5,864 14.67% 1,036 2.27% 160 7,060Meigs 82.21% 2,703 14.93% 491 2.86% 94 3,288Monroe 82.93% 9,830 14.75% 1,748 2.23% 275 11,853Montgomery 60.22%24,813 36.38%14,9883.40% 1,40041,201Moore 83.33% 1,725 14.59% 302 2.08% 43 2,070Morgan 83.97% 3,844 13.63% 624 2.40% 110 4,578Obion 82.63% 6,418 15.10% 1,173 2.27% 176 7,767 Overton 78.45% 4,805 18.73% 1,147 2.82% 173 6,125Perry 80.22% 1,549 17.56% 339 2.22% 43 1,931Pickett 80.06% 1,542 16.15% 311 3.79% 73 1,929Polk 83.32% 4,000 14.83% 712 1.85% 89 4,801Putnam 72.43%14,21724.84% 4,875 2.73% 536 19,628Rhea 85.11% 6,551 13.42% 1,033 1.47% 113 7,697Roane 75.23% 11,871 21.15% 3,337 3.62% 572 15,780Robertson 75.97%14,066 21.86% 4,0482.17%40018,514 Rutherford 62.00% 46,575 35.87% 26,948 2.13% 1,604 75,127Scott 87.56% 3,394 10.19% 395 2.25% 87 3,876Sequatchie 83.92% 3,643 13.87% 602 2.21% 96 4,341Sevier 80.35% 18,314 16.75% 3,818 2.90% 660 22,792Shelby 43.20% 86,384 54.51% 108,995 2.29% 4,583 199,962Smith 79.52% 4,205 17.53% 927 2.95% 156 5,288Stewart 79.55% 3,167 17.76% 707 2.69% 107 3,981Sullivan 77.90% 32,897 20.78% 8,777 1.32% 556 42,230Sumner 71.57% 37,466 26.12% 13,672 2.31% 1,209 52,347Tipton 76.69% 11,487 20.58% 3,083 2.73% 409 14,979Trousdale 77.39% 1,660 20.93% 449 1.68% 36 2,145Unicoi 80.66% 4,238 17.32% 910 2.02% 106 5,254Union 82.90% 3,456 14.99% 625 2.11% 88 4,169Van Buren 82.35% 1,563 14.70% 279 2.95% 56 1,898Warren 75.29% 6,668 22.16% 1,963 2.55% 226 8,857Washington 69.42% 24,330 28.66% 10,046 1.92% 671 35,047Wayne 86.59% 3,094 11.14% 398 2.27% 81 3,573Weakley 78.94% 6,417 18.32% 1,489 2.74% 223 8,129 White 82.41% 5,744 15.42% 1,075 2.17% 151 6,970Williamson 68.06% 58,132 30.57% 26,116 1.37% 1,169 85,417Wilson 70.69% 31,496 27.40% 12,208 1.91% 848 44,552 Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican Haywood (largest city: Brownsville)

By congressional district Lee won eight of nine congressional districts. DistrictLeeMartinRepresentative 78.03% 19.86% 66.78% 31.33% 68.80% 29.09%Chuck Fleischmann 72.06% 25.68%Scott DesJarlais58.63%39.55%Jim Cooper (117th Congress)Andy Ogles (118th Congress) 65.75% 31.90% 59.59% 37.86% 73.12% 24.99%David Kustoff 32.63% 64.58%Steve Cohen

See also Elections in Tennessee Political party strength in Tennessee Tennessee Democratic Party Tennessee Republican Party Government of Tennessee 2022 Tennessee elections 2022 United States elections

Notes

References

External links Official campaign websites Bill Lee (R) for Governor Bill Marceaux (I) for Governor Jason Martin (D) for Governor