U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn, R-TN, continues to hold a strong lead in the latest poll of the August Republican gubernatorial primary.¶
That poll of 500 voters by the education advocacy organization Tennesseans for Student Success (TSS) found Blackburn leading with support from more than 60 percent of respondents. Just over 8 percent of voters polled said they’d vote for Congressman John Rose, R-TN, in the Republican primary, while State Representative Monty Fritts, R-Kingston, received the support of 5 percent. Roughly 26 percent of voters remained undecided.¶
EXCLUSIVE DATA
SOURCE: Tennesseans for Student Success · Feb 5–8, 2026 · 95% confidence¶
Explore the Full TSS Poll Results
500Voters
15Questions
±4.4%MOE
This article covers the governor's race toplines. The full statewide survey dives into 15 questions on education accountability, school choice, career readiness, and how voters think Tennessee spends its education dollars.
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The Tennessee Firefly is a product of and supported by Tennesseans for Student Success.¶
Poll Mirrors Prior Surveys
The poll is similar to multiple recent polls of the race by the Beacon Center of Tennessee.¶
The Beacon Center’s most recent poll, released last week, showed Blackburn with 56 percent support among likely Republican primary voters, Fritts with 7 percent, Rose with 9 percent, and 28 percent undecided.¶
A November poll by the Beacon Center found Blackburn with 58 percent of Republican support, Rose with 9 percent, and Fritts with 5 percent. 28 percent of Republican respondents were undecided in that poll.¶
The Beacon Center’s polling found that the winner of the Republican primary will be heavily favored in November over the winner of the Democratic gubernatorial primary, currently contested by Memphis City Council Member Jerri Green, Nashville musician Adam “Ditch” Kurtz, and a handful of other candidates with low name recognition.¶
