Lauren Pinkston
Former Lipscomb University professor
Lauren Pinkston is an independent candidate for governor on the general election ballot. Independent candidates qualify by petition rather than through a primary: 25 registered voters' signatures, filed with the Secretary of State by the March 10, 2026 deadline. Pinkston filed on February 13, 2026 and lives in Columbia.
Columbia, Maury
Who they are
Pinkston began her career as a public school teacher. Her campaign biography lists a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Freed-Hardeman University in 2009, fourth grade teaching posts in Memphis from 2009 to 2010 and in Greenwood, South Carolina from 2010 to 2012, a doctorate from Clemson University in 2019, and an appointment as assistant professor of business as mission at Lipscomb University from 2020 to 2023. She spent years in Thailand and Laos and started businesses employing survivors of human trafficking. She describes herself as a seventh generation Tennessean who grew up in Stantonville and is a mother of four. This is her first campaign for elected office.
Source: Pinkston campaign (2026-08-08); Tennessee Lookout (2025-11-21); Lebanon Democrat (2025-11-24)
Why they are running
On her campaign site Pinkston writes that “the greatest injustice I see every day is a system that suggests you have to be a political extremist in order to be a represented citizen.” She told the Lebanon Democrat: “We're very serious about offering a moderate option to people who are looking for maybe a candidate that's more fiscally conservative but is very dedicated to social safety nets and general human rights and well-being.”
Source: Pinkston campaign (2026-08-08); Lebanon Democrat (2025-11-24)
Where they stand on education
Pinkston's platform states that “we prioritize schools as safe and well-funded institutions of discovery.” She told the Lebanon Democrat her aims include “limiting data and benchmark tests that get in the way of teaching.” On the Education Freedom Scholarship program, her platform's early childhood section states she “strongly supports shifting Tennessee increased budget Education Freedom Scholarships to early childhood education funds,” which would redirect the program's expanded budget away from vouchers.
Source: Pinkston campaign (2026-08-08); Lebanon Democrat (2025-11-24); Pinkston campaign (2026-08-08)
How they qualified
Independents do not run in a primary. They reach the general election ballot by petition, which in Tennessee means gathering 25 valid voter signatures and filing by the qualifying deadline of March 10, 2026. Lauren Pinkston filed from Columbia on February 13, 2026, and the Secretary of State recorded the petition signatures as approved.
Her campaign biography is detailed on career history but states no schools policy beyond the platform line quoted above.Correction 2026-08-08: an earlier version of this entry stated her platform took no position on the Education Freedom Scholarship. The position exists in the platform's Affordable Early Childhood Education section, which does not use the word voucher, and was missed by two keyword-based research passes. Found via the platform page itself.
Sources
- 1. Pinkston campaign, Biography of Lauren Pinkston (2026-08-08)
- 2. Pinkston campaign, Lauren Pinkston for Tennessee Governor (2026-08-08)
- 3. Tennessee Lookout, Former Lipscomb University professor launches bid for Tennessee governor (2025-11-21)
- 4. Lebanon Democrat, An independent running for Tennessee governor wants to give people a third option (2025-11-24)
- 5. Pinkston campaign, Platform: Lauren Pinkston's Plan for Tennessee's Livability, Accountability, and Civility (2026-08-08)
- 6. Tennessee Secretary of State, 2026 candidate lists (certified qualified candidates for governor)
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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.