Marsha Blackburn and Jerri Green Win Tennessee Governor Primaries

U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn and Memphis City Councilwoman Jerri Green won their respective Republican and Democratic primaries for governor of Tennessee on August 6, 2026. The race is an open-seat contest as Governor Bill Lee is term-limited. Blackburn secured the Republican nomination by defeating U.S. Representative John Rose and State Representative Monty Fritts. Green won the Democratic primary with over 70% of the early vote, defeating four opponents including Carnita Atwater, Tim Cyr, Adam Kurtz, and Kevin Lee McCants.

Green's platform focuses on expanding affordable housing, improving public education, protecting reproductive rights, and increasing healthcare access. She has pledged to use TANF funding for childcare and medical debt relief and to restrict cooperation between the Tennessee Highway Patrol and ICE. Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin congratulated Green and stated the DNC is ready to mobilize voters for the November 3 general election.

Unless an independent candidate surges, Tennessee is set to elect its first female governor. In other state contests, Republican U.S. Senator Bill Hagerty ran unopposed in his primary and will face Democrat Marquita Bradshaw in November. Additionally, Betsy Henderson was elected as the first female mayor of Knox County, defeating Beau Hawk with 52.47% of the vote.