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. Republican senator Marsha Blackburn and Democratic city councilor Jerri Green are the nominees for their respective parties. 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.
Republican primary Candidates Nominee Marsha Blackburn, U.S. senator (2019–present) Eliminated in primary Monty Fritts, state representative from the 32nd district (2023–present) John Rose, U.S. representative from (2019–present)
Declined Mark Green, former U.S. representative from (2019–2025) Bill Hagerty, U.S. senator (2021–present) (running for re-election; endorsed Blackburn) Tre Hargett, secretary of state of Tennessee (2009–present) Diana Harshbarger, U.S. representative from (2021–present) (running for re-election) Pete Hegseth, United States Secretary of Defense (2025–present) Glenn Jacobs, former mayor of Knox County (2018–2026) (endorsed, and later appointed as campaign treasurer to, Blackburn) Stuart McWhorter, Tennessee Commissioner of Economic & Community Development (2022–present) Barry Wilmore, retired NASA astronaut and United States Navy test pilot
Endorsements
Polling Aggregate polls Source of pollaggregationDatesadministeredDatesupdated MarshaBlackburn JohnRose MontyFritts Other/UndecidedMarginRace to the WHthrough August 1, 2026August 5, 202639.1%28.3%22.1%10.5%Blackburn +10.8%
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error MarshaBlackburn JohnRose MontyFritts Other UndecidedWickJuly 29 – August 1, 2026600 (LV)± 4.0%51%32%17%––45%28%17%–9%Fabrizio, Lee & Associates (R)July 26–28, 2026800 (LV)± 3.5%42%25%22%–11%OnMessage Inc.July 23–25, 2026800 (LV)± 3.5%35%31%26%–9%Fabrizio, Lee & Associates (R)June 28–30, 2026– (LV)–51%20%12%–17%McLaughlin & Associates (R)June 28–30, 2026600 (LV)–44%29%13%–14%Targoz Market ResearchApril 20–27, 2026529 (LV)± 4.2%63%10%5%–22%VictoryPhonesMarch 18–24, 2026300 (LV)± 5.7%56%14%11%–20%Cygnal (R)March 16–17, 2026500 (LV)± 4.4%58%7%–5%30%VictoryPhonesFebruary 5–8, 2026– (LV)–61%8%5%–26%Targoz Market ResearchJanuary 11–18, 2026559 (LV)–56%9%7%1%27%Targoz Market ResearchOctober 26–29, 2025545 (RV)–58%9%5%–29%Quantus Insights (R)August 5–7, 2025––35%6%–22%37%Targoz Market ResearchJuly 27 – August 1, 2025623 (RV)± 2.8%66%14%––19%Fabrizio, Lee & Associates (R)January 13–16, 2025800 (LV)± 3.5%71%13%––16%
Results
Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Jerri Green, Memphis city councilor from the 2nd district (2024–present) Eliminated in primary Carnita Atwater, museum president, candidate for governor in 2022, and candidate for mayor of Memphis in 2023 Tim Cyr, home repair business owner Adam "Ditch" Kurtz, Nashville pedal steel musician Kevin Lee McCants, pastor
Declined Steve Cohen, U.S. representative from (2007–present)
Endorsements
Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error CarnitaAtwater TimCyr JerriGreen AdamKurtz Kevin LeeMcCants UndecidedTargoz Market ResearchApril 20–27, 2026400 (LV)± 4.8%8%3%14%2%11%62%
Results
Independents Candidates Declared David Hatley, businessman Lauren Pinkston, former Lipscomb University professor Robert Vick, educator General election Predictions SourceRankingAs ofThe Cook Political ReportSeptember 11, 2025Decision Desk HQSeptember 23, 2026Fox NewsJuly 23, 2026Inside ElectionsAugust 28, 2025RealClearPoliticsJune 5, 2026Sabato's Crystal BallSeptember 4, 2025Silver Bulletin August 25, 2026
Post-primary endorsements
Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin MarshaBlackburn (R) JerriGreen (D)David Hatley (I)Lauren Pinkston (I) Other UndecidedTargetSmartSeptember 9–12, 2026600 (LV)± 4.0%45%36%10%2%7%Targoz Market ResearchAugust 15–26, 20261,149 (RV)± 2.77%46%33%8%14%Targoz Market ResearchAugust 15–26, 2026601 (LV)± 2.77%55%34%7%4%Targoz Market ResearchApril 20–27, 20261,200 (RV)± 2.8%51%27%22%Quantus Insights (R)August 5–7, 2025600 (RV)± 3.5%49%28%7%17%
John Rose vs. Jerri Green Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin JohnRose (R) JerriGreen (D) Other UndecidedQuantus Insights (R)August 5–7, 2025600 (RV)± 3.5%43%27%8%23%
See also Elections in Tennessee Government of Tennessee Political party strength in Tennessee Tennessee Democratic Party Tennessee Republican Party 2026 Tennessee elections 2026 United States Senate election in Tennessee 2026 United States gubernatorial elections
Notes
Partisan clients
References
External links Official campaign websites Misam Abidi (I) Marsha Blackburn (R) Jerri Green (D) David Hatley (I) Wendell Jackson (I) Lauren Pinkston (I) Robert Vick (I)