# 2026 Tennessee gubernatorial election

Elections in Tennessee :
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Gubernatorial elections
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Murfreesboro Mayoral elections
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Nashville Mayoral elections
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2023 :
Government :
vte :
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.

## Republican primary
### Candidates
#### Declared

* John Rose, U.S. representative from Tennessee's 6th congressional district (2019–present)

#### Publicly expressed interest

* Marsha Blackburn, U.S. Senator (2019–present)
* Tim Burchett, U.S. representative from Tennessee's 2nd congressional district (2019–present)
* Diana Harshbarger, U.S. representative from Tennessee's 1st congressional district (2021–present) (will not run if Blackburn runs)

#### Potential

* Joe Baker, attorney
* Tre Hargett, Tennessee Secretary of State (2009–present)
* Andy Ogles, U.S. representative from Tennessee's 5th congressional district (2023–present)
* Cameron Sexton, Speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives (2019–present)
* Matt Walsh, conservative commentator and podcast host

#### Declined

* Mark Green, U.S. representative from Tennessee's 7th congressional district (2019–present)
* Bill Hagerty, U.S. Senator (2021–present) (running for re-election)
* Glenn Jacobs, mayor of Knox County (2018–present) (endorsed Blackburn)
* Stuart McWhorter, Tennessee Commissioner of Economic & Community Development (2022–present)

### Endorsements
#### U.S. representatives

* Chuck Fleischmann, TN-03 (2011–present)

#### Local officials

* Glenn Jacobs, mayor of Knox County (2018–present)

### Polling

| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | John Rose | Marsha Blackburn | Undecided |
| Fabrizio Lee & Associates | January 13–16, 2025 | 800 (LV) | ± 3.46% | 13% | 71% | 16% |

## Democratic primary
### Candidates
#### Potential

* John Ray Clemmons, state representative from the 55th district (2015–present)
* Jim Cooper, former U.S. representative from Tennessee's 5th congressional district (1983–1995, 2003–2023) and son of former governor Prentice Cooper

#### Declined

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

## General election
### Predictions

| Source | Ranking | As of |
| The Cook Political Report | Solid R | January 23, 2025 |
| Inside Elections | Solid R | February 6, 2025 |