2026 Tennessee gubernatorial election explained

Election Name:	2026 Tennessee gubernatorial election
Country:	Tennessee
Type:	gubernatorial
Ongoing:	yes
Previous Election:	2022 Tennessee gubernatorial election
Previous Year:	2022
Next Election:	2030 Tennessee gubernatorial election
Next Year:	2030
Election Date:	November 3, 2026
Party1:	Republican Party (United States)
Party2:	Democratic Party (United States)
Governor
Before Election:	Bill Lee
Before Party:	Republican Party (United States)

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

Publicly expressed interest

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

Potential

• Glenn Jacobs, mayor of Knox County (2018–present)^{[2] [3]}
• Mark Green, U.S. Representative from (2019–present)^{[4] [5]}
• Cameron Sexton, Speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives (2019–present)^[6]
• Tre Hargett, Tennessee Secretary of State (2009–present)
• Damon Hininger, CEO of CoreCivic^[7]
• Joe Baker, attorney and co-founder of Yee-Haw Brewing Company and Ole Smoky Moonshine^[8]

Democratic primary

Potential

• Steve Cohen, U.S. Representative from (2007–present)^[9]
• Raumesh Akbari, Minority Leader of the Tennessee State Senate (2023–present), State Senator from the 29th District (2019–present), and former State Representative (2013–2019)
• London Lamar, State Senator from the 33rd District (2022–present) and former State Representative (2018–2022)
• Justin Pearson, State Representative from the 86th District (February 2023–April 2023; April 2023–present)

See also

• Elections in Tennessee
• Political party strength in Tennessee
• Tennessee Democratic Party
• Tennessee Republican Party
• Government of Tennessee
• 2026 United States Senate election in Tennessee
• 2026 Tennessee elections

Notes and References

1. Web site: John Rose considering bid for Tennessee governor in 2026 . 2024-06-22 . State Affairs . en.
2. News: Ashe, Victor . April 17, 2023 . High-profile Republicans' silence over House expulsions speaks volumes . Knoxville News Sentinel.
3. Web site: Rau . Nate . June 20, 2024 . An early look at Tennessee’s 2026 governor’s race . Axios Nashville.
4. News: April 17, 2023 . High-profile Republicans' silence over House expulsions speaks volumes . Ashe, Victor . .
5. Web site: Rau . Nate . February 21, 2024 . Mark Green's retirement could kickstart governor's race . Axios.
6. News: Ashe, Victor . April 17, 2023 . High-profile Republicans' silence over House expulsions speaks volumes . Knoxville News Sentinel.
7. Web site: Rau . Nate . June 20, 2024 . An early look at Tennessee’s 2026 governor’s race . Axios Nashville.
8. Web site: Rau . Nate . June 20, 2024 . An early look at Tennessee’s 2026 governor’s race . Axios Nashville.
9. Web site: Rau . Nate . June 20, 2024 . An early look at Tennessee’s 2026 governor’s race . Axios Nashville.