Tennessee's Next Governor
The definitive tracker for the 2026 gubernatorial race. Candidates, polls, campaign finance, endorsements, and what it all means for Tennessee's kids and schools.
Last Updated August 14, 2026 · Data from TN Secretary of State, Registry of Election Finance, and public sources
What Tennessee Voters Think
Tennessee Firefly is a product of Tennesseans for Student Success (TSS). These findings come from their statewide survey of 500 registered voters (±4.38% margin of error, 95% confidence).
81% say annual student testing matters. 87% want schools held accountable. 77% oppose removing exams.
4 out of 5 voters say testing is important. 70% support the A-F school grading system. Voters want MORE accountability, not less.
71% support public school choice. 82% support open enrollment. 61% would send their child to a different school.
When cost and location barriers are removed, a clear majority say they'd leave their zoned school. 55% want state intervention in poor-performing schools.
64% say education funds are NOT being spent efficiently. Blame is split across local boards, fraud, and regulations.
Nearly two-thirds of voters believe education dollars are not being spent efficiently. Blame is spread nearly evenly: local boards (31%), fraud (26%), and government regulations (25%).
52% say students are NOT prepared for college or a well-paying job. Two-thirds say keep the Algebra II requirement.
A majority has lost confidence in the graduation pipeline. 67% reject lowering the academic bar, even for workforce pathways. 39% say they lack information about career paths.
Marsha Blackburn and Jerri Green won their primaries. The November ballot has fifteen names.
Marsha Blackburn won the Republican nomination with 43.6% of the vote (311,328 votes), ahead of John Rose at 32.9% and Monty Fritts at 23.5%. Jerri Green won the Democratic nomination with 69.0% of the vote (244,194 votes), ahead of Carnita Atwater at 17.9%, Kevin Lee McCants at 5.4%, Tim Cyr at 4.2%, and Adam "Ditch" Kurtz at 3.5%. Results are complete but unofficial until county election commissions certify them by August 24, 2026.
Thirteen independent candidates also qualified for the November 3, 2026 general election. Independents reach the ballot by petition rather than through a primary: 25 registered voters' signatures, filed with the Secretary of State by the March 10, 2026 deadline. They were not on any August ballot, so the primary results say nothing about them.
Positions as recorded in TNFirefly's stance tracker.
Billionaire Jeff Yass gives $1M to PAC supporting Sen. Marsha Blackburn's gubernatorial campaign
Blackburn raises $1.23M in Q1, bringing campaign total to $6.73M
21 candidates qualify for Tennessee governor's race
Blackburn leads GOP primary in first major statewide poll
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About this tracker
This tracker is produced by The Tennessee Firefly, an independent, nonpartisan news outlet covering education and government in Tennessee. We don't endorse candidates. We don't take political ads. We follow the money, the policy, and the people who shape your kids' schools. All data comes from official filings, verified reporting, and on-the-record sources, with freshness timestamps visible on every page that surfaces live data.