Congressman John Rose launches gubernatorial campaign with a promise to appoint an education commissioner with Tennessee teaching experience

Congressman John Rose addressing supporters Thursday (Photo by Sky Arnold)

U.S. Congressman John Rose announced his bid for governor Thursday afternoon with a commitment to appoint a commissioner for the Department of Education that has direct Tennessee ties.

“I love our Tennessee teachers and it’s why as governor, I promise to appoint a commissioner of education who has Tennessee teaching experience,” said the Rose during an announcement at the Wilson County State Fairgrounds in Lebanon.

The 6th district congressman is the first high profile Republican to announce a bid for the 2026 gubernatorial race that’s expected to eventually include U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn and potentially Ole Smoky Distillery owner Joseph Baker and CoreCivic CEO Damon Hininger. Current Tennessee Governor Bill Lee is term-limited and not eligible to run for re-election.

Rose is currently serving his fourth term in congress and previously served as the commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. He was raised in Cookeville and grew up working with his father on their more than 230-year-old family farm in the Temperance Hall and Lancaster communities of DeKalb and Smith Counties.

Speaking to a crowd of supporters, Rose made education a key part of his announcement by talking about his mother who was a public-school teacher and why he believes education opens the doors for opportunity.

“Tennessee’s children deserve great schools and parents deserve a seat at the table. In this state we reject the notion that where a person starts in life is where they must finish,” said Rose. “It is through learning that children from all circumstances have a chance to realize their American dream. At school, the door for opportunity is open to all and we have thousands of dedicated teachers across this state who put in the extra time and do whatever it takes to deliver for their students in every classroom, in every day.”

Rose also addressed President Trump’s plan to dissolve the Department of Education.  He tells the Tennessee Firefly that he supports it because it puts more power into the hands of states.

“I think the states are the laboratories for democracy in this country and when we return power to states I think we get better solutions, and we get experimentation across the country. Help us to figure out the best way to approach making sure that American education, and for us here in Tennessee, Tennessee education is providing the training for our students to equip them for the jobs of tomorrow,” said Rose.

No leading Democrats have announced their candidacy for governor. The party has struggled to field well-funded candidates for state races and hasn’t won one since former Governor Phil Bredesen won re-election in 2006.