U.S. Congressman John Rose was the first contender to announce a bid for governor in 2026, and over the weekend, he became the first to launch a TV campaign ad in the race.¶
Rose’s new 30-second ad begins with the 6th District Congressman walking through farmland, touting his agricultural experience. Rose grew up working on his family farm in the Temperance Hall and Lancaster communities of DeKalb and Smith Counties. He also served as the state’s agriculture commissioner.¶
“To be a farmer, you’ve gotta have faith,” said Rose in the ad. “You work the ground, and you put your trust in the Lord. We need a governor who does the work and has the faith, and next year, the job is open.”¶
Rose’s campaign confirmed to the Tennessee Firefly that it plans to spend $600,000 on the ad to target high propensity Republican voters. He’ll face U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn, State Representative Monty Fritts, R-Kingston, and any other candidates who throw their hat in the ring in the August Republican Primary.¶
Touting CEO Experience¶
Rose didn’t reference either of his primary opponents in the ad directly, but he continued with a theme he expressed in the Tennessee Firefly’s podcast last month to differentiate his background from Senator Blackburn’s.¶
“Picking a governor is not a reward for the past; it’s a job for the future, the chief executive of our state,” said Rose. “Like President Trump, I’m a CEO by experience and I’m applying to do the job in Tennessee.”¶
Polls show the Republican winner would be heavily favored over the Democratic nominee in November.¶
