Marsha Blackburn Leads Tennessee's 2026 GOP Governor Primary as 5 Democrats Vie for Nomination
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Aug 6
Marsha Blackburn Leads Tennessee's 2026 GOP Governor Primary as 5 Democrats Vie for Nomination
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Aug 6
Summary
Sen. Marsha Blackburn entered Thursday's Tennessee primary as the clear Republican front-runner to replace term-limited Gov. Bill Lee, seeking to move from Washington to Nashville after two Senate terms.
The GOP race also includes Rep. John Rose and state Rep. Monty Fritts, with Blackburn benefiting from a high national profile even though Donald Trump stayed neutral rather than endorse a candidate.
Blackburn has still highlighted her alignment with Trump, casting herself as ready to make Tennessee "America's conservative leader" as Democrats try to pick a nominee from a five-candidate field led by Memphis City Councilwoman Jerri Green.
Elsewhere on Tennessee's ballot, Sen. Bill Hagerty is unopposed in the Republican Senate primary, while Rep. Andy Ogles faces a well-funded House primary challenge from state Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher.