Elections
Blackburn Puts Education, Affordability on Early Agenda
Governor-elect Marsha Blackburn said school choice, property taxes, workforce housing, and childcare will be early priorities.
Elections
Coverage, analysis, and reporting on elections across Tennessee.
118 articles
Elections
Blackburn Wins Governor As Democrats Make Gains In Tennessee
Republicans held Tennessee’s statewide and state Senate races but lost six state House seats and possibly one congressional seat.
Elections
Early Voting Ends 45 Percent Ahead of 2022 Pace, 7 Percent Lower Than 2018
Tennesseans cast 1,280,642 early and absentee votes, 45 percent more than in 2022, with Election Day set for Nov. 3.
Elections
Today Is the Final Day to Vote Early in Tennessee
Early voting ends Thursday ahead of Tennessee’s state and federal general election on Nov. 3.
Elections
Goldberg Campaign Draws Most of its Donations from Outside Tennessee
Out-of-state contributions made up nearly 88 percent of Goldberg’s contributions through the first half of the year.
Elections
TBI Sends Rep. Ronnie Glynn Residency Investigation to District Attorney
The investigation into election records showing different Clarksville addresses for Glynn comes just weeks before an election.
Elections
Candidate Calls Baby Pictures “Creepy,” Jokes About Organ Harvesting in Resurfaced Remarks
Margaret Price joked about a baby on a Missouri billboard in a social media post from 2019.
Elections
Gubernatorial Candidates Take Differing Views on AI in the Classroom
Jerri Green has "major reservations" about AI use for younger grades, while Senator Marsha Blackburn sees age-appropriate uses that students will benefit from.
Elections
Two New Board Members Elected to Memphis-Shelby County School Board
Tanya Frey and T.L Harris join two incumbents who were re-elected last week.
Elections
Marsha Blackburn and Jerri Green Win Gubernatorial Primaries
Education proved decisive in numerous closely watched House races.
Elections
Reports Show Congressman Rose Has Loaned His Campaign Nearly $13 Million
Rose spent most of that money with a firm responsible for a poll showing a dead heat with Senator Blackburn.
Elections
House District 80 Challengers Divided Over Support of Public Charter Schools and Accountability
Democrats Bethany Miller and Andrea Bond-Johnson are running to replace retiring Rep. Johnny Shaw.
Elections
Open Enrollment Divides Challengers in Open Nashville House Seat
Four Democrats are running to replace Representative Caleb Hemmer in the District 59 primary.
Elections
Rep. Elaine Davis Runs on Education Record, Challenger Brent Jones Ignores Firefly Questions
Jones declined to respond to multiple questions from the Tennessee Firefly about key education issues affecting Knoxville’s House District 18.
Elections
Todd Warner Facing Opposition After Voting Against Key Trump Policy
Warner’s opposition to private school choice and decision to run for two offices at the same time have become defining issues in his primary against Vincent Cue...
Elections
Why Are Teacher Union Bosses Backing John Louallen in Tennessee House Race?
Louallen’s Education Freedom Scholarship opposition and TEA endorsement have become key issues in the House District 78 Republican primary.
Elections
Bo McCawley Sides with Democrats on Key Education Issue in GOP Primary
McCawley faces school choice supporter Andy Swafford in East Tennessee’s House District 31 primary.
Elections
Lee Reeves Faces GOP Challenger Who Takes Union Position on Education
House District 65 challenger Michelle Foreman sides with the TEA on the Education Freedom Scholarship program.
Elections
West Tennessee Candidates Offer Different Solutions to Improve Education
Brett Giannini and Jason Fleming are vying to replace longtime State Representative Debra Moody.
Elections
School Choice Divides Candidates in East Tennessee GOP Primary
Dennis Beavers is running against the Education Freedom Scholarship program, while Senator Adam Lowe voted to expand it.
Elections
Sumner County GOP Primary Pits Different Views on School Choice
Brian Stewart supports giving families more school options, while his opponent, Chris Hughes, has reservations about expanding them.
Elections
Blackburn Campaign: ‘Tennessee is Not for Sale’
Blackburn’s internal poll paints a different picture from the one her opponent’s campaign released last week.
Elections
Congressman Rose Loans Campaign Millions to Compete with Senator Blackburn
Campaign reports show Blackburn continues to outraise the field in this year’s gubernatorial race.
Elections
Self-Described 'Trump Candidate' Sides with Unions over Trump on Education
The president appointed Dennis Beavers to the USDA, but he’s now opposing the administration’s position on school choice.
Elections
Congressman Andy Ogles Uses Your Tax Dollars for TV Ad
The ad promotes the congressman’s opposition to “wasteful spending.”
Elections
Vanderbilt Poll Finds Consistent Support for Sen. Blackburn, Possible GOP Concerns
Pollsters found that support for President Donald Trump has dropped in the Volunteer State.
Elections
Uncovered Records Detail House Candidate Bo McCawley’s Lawsuit Against Vanderbilt Medical Center
McCawley once sued the hospital, university, and its doctor following allegations of child abuse.
Elections
Gubernatorial Candidates Grow Their Support at Strawberry Festivals
Contenders campaigned over the weekend as a new poll shows Sen. Blackburn widening her lead.
State Government
Four Bills Move Forward to Pave the Way for Redistricting
Lawmakers could approve the redistricting plan today.
Elections
Incumbent School Board Members Defeated in Rutherford and Knox Counties
Tuesday's state and county primaries will remake multiple school boards.
State Government
Protestors Flock to Capitol to Oppose Redistricting Special Session
Republican leaders hope to redraw Tennessee's congressional districts less than three months before early voting begins.
Elections
Here’s Who’s Running for Memphis-Shelby County Schools District 9
Local Education
Here’s Who’s Running for Memphis-Shelby County Schools District 6
All five candidates will be on the ballot for Tuesday's primary election.
Elections
Here’s Who’s Running for Memphis-Shelby County Schools District 1
Early voting begins on April 15, and all three candidates will be on the ballot as Democrats for the May 5 primary.
Elections
Jerri Green Wants to Strengthen Special Education, End “Welfare for the Wealthy”
The Memphis Councilwoman is the only Democrat running for governor who’s held an elected office.
Elections
Educator Jenny Bell Promises Accountability on the MNPS School Board
Bell is challenging Dr. Berthena Nabaa-McKinney to represent families in District 4’s Donelson and Hermitage communities.
Elections
Senator Blackburn Continues to Outraise the Field in Governor’s Race
Blackburn reported more than $1.2 million in contributions this quarter.
Elections
Senator Blackburn Continues to Hold Strong Lead in Republican Gubernatorial Primary
The poll also found a reduction in undecided voters.
Elections
Former Lawmakers Qualify in Race to Replace Lt. Gov. McNally
The Secretary of State qualified candidates for the August primary ballot this week.
State Education
Lt. Gov. Randy McNally Announces Retirement
McNally was first elected to the Tennessee General Assembly in 1978 as a state representative
Elections
Sen. Marsha Blackburn Continues to Hold Strong Lead in the Latest Governor’s Race Poll
That poll found Blackburn leading with support from more than 60 percent of respondents.
Elections
Sen. Blackburn Expresses Support for Public Charter Schools and Open Enrollment
In an exclusive interview, Blackburn expressed support for removing tuition requirements for out-of-district students and charter school funding.
Elections
Memphis Councilwoman Jerri Green and Senator Marsha Blackburn Surge Ahead in Gubernatorial Campaign Contributions
Blackburn reported $5.3 million in contributions while Green reported $125,000.
Data and Polling
Senator Blackburn Continues to Hold a Strong Lead in the Latest Poll of the Governor’s Race
56 percent of likely Republican primary voters said they’d vote for Blackburn.
Elections
President Trump Appears to Move Closer to an Endorsement in the Tennessee Governor’s Race
On Wednesday, Blackburn shared a video clip on social media of the President praising her at the Trump Accounts summit that day, and indicating he believes she’...
State Government
Commissioner Michael Lankford Wins House Seat Appointment with the Assistance of His Opponent’s Former Supporter
The final 9-9 vote came along party lines, with Republicans on the Montgomery County Commission supporting Lankford and Democrats supporting their party’s nomin...
Elections
School Board Appointment Could Provide a Preview for Next Month’s Decision to Fill the Late Rep. Jeff Burkhart’s Seat
Montgomery County Commissioners voted 11 to 8 to appoint a Republican nominee to the board in a move that at least one commissioner felt was influenced by polit...
Data and Polling
Senator Marsha Blackburn Holds Strong Lead in Latest Poll of Governor’s Race
Blackburn held the support of 60 percent of the 484 Republican voters surveyed online in the poll, well ahead of Congressman John Rose’s 10 percent and State Re...
Elections
Tennessee Gubernatorial Candidate Jerri Green Wants to End ‘Voucher Scheme’ and Follow Kentucky’s Lead
Speaking at a town hall event in Jonesborough, Tennessee last week, Green said her priorities would be to expand Medicaid, repeal Tennessee’s grocery tax, and e...
National Education
Senator Marsha Blackburn Tells Supporters the Department of Education Will be ‘Shuttered’ by Trump Before 2026
Blackburn said she’s the leader the state needs to take advantage of Trump’s work to shrink the federal government and provide more power to the states.
State Education
Tennessee Gubernatorial Candidate Votes Against Continuing the State Department of Education
Tennessee gubernatorial candidate and state lawmaker Monty Fritts was the only legislator to oppose continuing the Tennessee Department of Education during this...
Elections
Rep. John Rose Launches $600,000 Gubernatorial TV Ad Campaign
Rose’s new 30-second ad begins with the 6th District Congressman walking through farmland, touting his agricultural experience.
Elections
U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn Calls for Removing Barriers to Open Public Charter Schools
The U.S. Senator utilized her appearance at Nashville Collegiate Prep’s high school grand opening to promote her support for removing barriers that organization...
Elections
Tennessee Gubernatorial Candidates Take a Stand on Sending National Guard to Memphis
Both leading Republican candidates in the 2026 governor’s race are applauding President Trump’s decision that also appears to have given one Democratic candidat...
State Government
Representative Monty Fritts Pledges to Challenge the ‘Nashville Establishment' with 2026 Gubernatorial Run
In a video posted on his campaign website, Fritts attempted to distance himself from fellow Republican gubernatorial candidates Congressman John Rose and Senato...
State Government
‘What Gets Measured Gets Done,’ Rep. John Rose Commits to Protecting Tennessee’s Assessment and Teacher Evaluation Systems if Elected Governor
In an interview with the Tennessee Firefly’s On the Fly podcast, Rose said he’d be open to tweaks to assessments and evaluations, but believes the state should ...
State Government
Senator Blackburn says Tennessee Needs a Leader, not a Manager, to Take Advantage of President Trump’s Plans to Shrink the Federal Government
Blackburn told supporters she plans to do four things “extremely well” if elected governor - keep taxes low, simplify licensing requirements, ensure government ...
Elections
Sen. Blackburn Says Ed Freedom Scholarship Program Will be a Key Part of Her Ed Policy
The program, frequently referred to as vouchers, is providing 20 thousand children with tax dollars to pay for private school expenses, and Blackburn says it wi...
Elections
Senator Marsha Blackburn Leads Congressman John Rose in First Poll of 2026 Governor’s Race
The Beacon Center says 66 percent of respondents said they support Blackburn compared to the 14 percent who chose Rose. 19 percent of voters were undecided.
Elections
Senator Marsha Blackburn Highlights Support for School Choice in Gubernatorial Campaign Announcement
Blackburn promised to make Tennessee America’s number one “job-creating, energy-producing powerhouse” and highlighted her support for President Trump and his pr...
National Education
U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn Attempts to Weaken the Impact of the Nation’s Largest Teachers Union
Blackburn announced she’s sponsoring two bills to revoke the NEA’s charter and prevent it from lobbying the federal government.
Elections
U.S. Rep. John Rose Reports $1.1 Million in Contributions on First Filing for 2026 Tennessee Governor’s Race
The 6th District Congressman additionally loaned $5 million of his own money to his campaign war chest.
Elections
Congressman John Rose contrasts experiences in presumptive 2026 governor’s race
Rose announced his run for governor last March and told attendees at the event that Tennessee needs a governor who’s an “energetic executive” with “real experie...
Elections
Five Memphis-Shelby County School Board seats could be up for re-election two years early
County commissioners could use new legislation to align school board races with other county elections, even if that meant shortening some board members’ terms.
Elections
Bill locking in local primaries passes House vote despite pushback from some Republicans
Legislation that prevents Tennessee counties from switching to a caucus for local partisan elections passed a House vote Monday and now heads to Governor Bill L...
Elections
Senator Johnson and Representative Reeves want to ensure voting remains convenient in county primaries. Why is their own county’s GOP chapter opposing them?
The lawmakers are proposing legislation that ensures every county that currently uses a primary for local partisan races continues to do so and prohibits them f...
Elections
Congressman John Rose launches gubernatorial campaign with a promise to appoint an education commissioner with Tennessee teaching experience
The 6th district congressman made a commitment to appoint a commissioner for the Department of Education that has experience in a Tennessee classrom
Elections
Multiple news outlets report Congressman John Rose is running for governor
Multiple news outlets along with the Republican Women of Williamson County reported that Rose announced he’s running for governor at a Wednesday event in Willia...
Elections
U.S. Senator Bill Hagerty shakes up next year’s governor’s race by opting to run for re-election
Senator Bill Hagerty, R-Tennessee, took his name out of the running for the the 2026 Tennessee gubernatorial race by announcing he’s going to seek re-election t...
Elections
Governor Lee applauds Trump pick to lead Department of Education. Opponents criticize her experience and ties to a sex abuse lawsuit
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee wasted no time applauding President-elect Donald Trump’s pick of a former professional wrestling mogul to serve as the United States...
News
Voters reject voucher programs in Nebraska, Kentucky, and Colorado. Is that a bad omen for supporters in Tennessee?
Voters in Colorado, Kentucky, and Nebraska have decisively rejected efforts to implement school voucher programs that would allow families to use tax dollars fo...
Elections
Status quo wins in every closely watched House race
Going into Tuesday night’s general election, Tennessee Democrats had high hopes of whittling into the Republican supermajority by winning a handful of House sea...
Elections
Hamilton County race pits former teacher against candidate who’s open to rejecting federal education funding
Last year, the Tennessee General Assembly attracted headlines when members held multiple hearings on the possibility of rejecting up to a billion dollars in fed...
Elections
Presidential election could chart new course for hot button Tennessee issues like school choice and book bans
Over the course of their presidential campaigns, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump have focused most of their rhetoric on their dif...
Elections
Five challengers in closely watched House races outraise incumbents in latest campaign filings
Tennessee Democrats continue to report strong fundraising by multiple challengers in closely watched House races. Leading the pack is House District 75 challeng...
Elections
Early voting totals provide a Republican advantage in a closely watched House race in Memphis
An analysis of early voting numbers in Shelby County show lower turnout could be hindering the challenger in one of the state’s closest watched House races wher...
News
Beacon Poll shows support for school choice policies in Tennessee
A new statewide survey from the Beacon Center of Tennessee found that Tennessee voters are “more likely to vote for candidates” who support school choice by a 4...
News
Hamilton County Schools to transport students to the polls for early voting
Hamilton County Schools will move forward with a plan to provide transportation to early voting sites for students who are eligible to vote, despite some debate...
Elections
Three Democrat House challengers outraise Republican opponents in this week’s campaign filings
Tennessee Democrats’ hopes of cutting into at least some of the Republican House supermajority in next Month’s general election received a boost with this week’...
Elections
Republican leaders resoundingly reject Rep. John Ragan’s primary loss challenge
Members of the Tennessee Republican State Primary Board resoundingly rejected Representative John Ragan’s, R-Oak Ridge, challenge of the August primary he lost ...
Elections
Republican Party leaders to decide Rep. John Ragan’s primary loss challenge this Saturday
Members of the Tennessee Republican State Primary Board will decide State Representative John Ragan’s, R-Oak Ridge, primary loss challenge Saturday afternoon in...
Elections
"We cannot become that which we strive to defeat." Rick Scarbrough responds to expected primary result challenge from Rep. Ragan.
Scarbrough beat seven term Representative John Ragan, R-Oak Ridge, by 258 votes in the House District 33 GOP primary. At the time there were no complaints of vo...
Elections
Governor Lee says he still supports Trump even though the former president called him a ‘RINO’
Despite being called a "RINO" by former President Donald Trump, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has reaffirmed his support for Trump and his 2024 presidential campa...
Elections
Black and Hispanic Voters Say Democrats Aren’t Focused Enough on K-12 Education
Congressional Democrats are at risk of shedding a critical voting bloc in swing states: Black and Hispanic voters who say their concerns about improving public ...
Elections
Senate Education Chair John Lundberg’s defeat draws eyebrow raising comments from former President Trump
Tom Stinnett
Elections
Primary challenges, voucher impact, and other things to watch in the state primary
Today voters across the state will decide the primary races for 16 State Senate seats along with all 99 State House seats. Very few of these seats are expected ...
Elections
Video leads to charges accusing Senate challenger Bobby Harshbarger’s father of stealing and vandalizing campaign signs
Video recorded by one of Senator Jon Lundberg’s, D-Bristol, campaign volunteers has led to misdemeanor theft and vandalism charges against the father of his opp...
Elections
Harris Could Set Democrats’ K–12 Agenda By Reviving Ideas from 2020
Fortified by a stream of Democratic endorsements and high-dollar donations, Vice President Kamala Harris appeared every bit the presidential contender when she ...
Elections
Challenger Rick Scarbrough continues to outraise Rep. John Ragan
Former Clinton Police Chief Rick Scarbrough continues to outraise Rep. John Ragan.
Elections
Rep. Scott Cepicky calls Governor Lee’s voucher bill “terrible” despite receiving his endorsement in next month’s primary
Rep. Scott Cepicky calls Governor Lee’s voucher bill “terrible” despite receiving his endorsement in next month’s primary.
Elections
Tennessee Democrats quick to support Kamala Harris' presidential bid. A popular VP pick has history with school vouchers.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has a history with an issue Tennessee Democrats have spent the last year opposing.
Elections
Memphis-Shelby County school board member drops out of race for re-election
Memphis-Shelby County School Board member Frank Johnson announced on Facebook that he’s officially dropping out of the District 7 school board race, citing heal...
Elections
Democrats attack Governor Lee’s claim that school choice is the “civil rights issue of our time” as offensive
Tuesday Governor Bill Lee took his ongoing push for universal school choice to the biggest stage yet.
Data and Polling
Beacon Poll notes voters' concerns about public education along with support for former President Trump and Sen. Blackburn
A new statewide survey from the Beacon Center of Tennessee found 50 percent of registered voters in Tennessee are dissatisfied with the way things are going in ...
Elections
Conservative challenger Rick Scarbrough is outraising Rep. John Ragan. Ragan responded with mailers that stretch the truth.
This year Representative John Ragan’s, R-Oak Ridge, has attracted headlines for proposing multiple bills dealing with hot button social issues that his own part...
Elections
Conservative challenger Ray Jeter outraises Rep. Scott Cepicky with Maury County contributions
Representative Scott Cepicky, R-Culleoka, has won three elections for House district 64 by comfortable margins, but this week’s campaign filings show he’s facin...
Elections
Senate GOP challenger Bobby Harshbarger lists former TSU President Glenda Glover as one of his largest contributors
Senate district 4 challenger Bobby Harshbarger prominently lists supporting “anti-woke education” as one of his campaign priorities yet the fifth largest campai...
Elections
Representative Scott Cepicky misleads the public in radio interview on his school vouchers plan
Representative Scott Cepicky, R-Culleoka, went on The Michael Patrick Leahy Show recently to discuss the failed effort he led last session to reduce the amount ...
Elections
House District 34 candidates disagree little on LGBTQ-related issues, charter school controversies
House District 34 GOP candidates Tim Rudd and Tucker Marcum shared similar views on LGBTQ-related education issues and discussed the state’s charter school fund...
Elections
Tax dollars paid for this mailer during Rep. Jon Ragan’s re-election campaign. Few House members have spent more on mailings.
One of the more closely watched races this summer is East Tennessee’s House District 33 GOP primary between John Ragan, R-Oak Ridge, and former Clinton police c...
Elections
Memphis-Shelby County School Board candidates discuss literacy, project funding and need to build public trust
Voters in the Memphis-Shelby County school district got a chance to hear from several school board candidates about their thoughts on student literacy, capital ...
Elections
Air Force Captain Jason Emert makes school choice a key part of his State House campaign
East Tennessee House candidate Jason Emert has a very personal reason for supporting Governor Bill Lee’s universal school choice plan to let families use public...
Elections
GOP Senate Challenger Bobby Harshbarger sides with Democrats in opposing Governor Lee’s universal school choice plan
Few issues have united Tennessee Democrats more this year their opposition to Governor Bill Lee’s plan to let families across the state use taxpayer dollars to ...
Elections
Memphis school board forum: Boosting literacy, ending teacher shortages top candidates’ priorities
Improving literacy rates, preparing students to compete globally, and combating teacher shortages are among the top challenges facing Memphis-Shelby County scho...
Elections
Williamson County House candidates weigh in on education funding, book bans and DEI
Candidates running for Tennessee House District 65 discussed their views on state education funding, banning inappropriate books in K-12 schools and how they th...
Elections
House challenger Ray Jeter wants to build education up in Tennessee, not throw it in the trash as his opponent suggested
Ray Jeter says the construction company he manages in Maury County operates with one key motto for its staff. Build people, move dirt. Jeter says he’d apply a s...
Elections
Governor Lee endorses conservate school board member Aron Maberry in a State House race in Montgomery County
Governor Bill Lee is stepping into a House primary race to help ensure the seat remains supportive of his school choice proposals. On Thursday Lee announced the...
Elections
Governor Lee endorses conservative Jason Emert in open East Tennessee House race
In April Tennessee Governor Bill Lee promised to bring his plan to let parents use taxpayer dollars to send their children to private school back next year, and...
Elections
House candidate Brian Beathard campaigns on myth that Williamson County is receiving less money for schools from the state
Last Thursday Republican State House District 65 candidate Brian Beathard took to his Facebook page to attack what may be Governor Bill Lee’s biggest education ...
Elections
Did Bobby Harshbarger break the law with “false” attacks on Sen. Jon Lundberg? Tennessee AG to investigate.
Allegations State Senate Candidate Bobby Harshbarger broke campaign laws to attack his opponent, Tennessee Senator Jon Lundberg, R-Briston, is going to the Stat...
Elections
As Sumner County dries out, commissioners who rejected flood prevention funds are working to elect Senate challenger Chris Spencer
On May 8 floodwaters rushed into Sumner County, damaging property, and forcing emergency crews to execute dozens of water rescues. The storm also washed up new ...
Elections
Senate Education Chair faces misleading attack ads in GOP primary race supporters say “skirt” campaign rules
Tennessee is not expected to have many truly competitive races in the August 1 state primary, but one that will be is already seeing misleading campaigning and ...
Elections
Freddie O’Connell and Alice Rolli advance to a runoff in the Nashville mayor’s race
Metro Council member Freddie O’Connell and former Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Assistant Commissioner Alice Rolli beat out a crowd...
Elections
Governor Lee touts education accomplishments in second term win
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee promised to continue his educational priorities after comfortably winning a second term. Governor Lee won nearly 65 percent of the v...
Elections
Education could be the key issue for voters in the upcoming Governor’s race
29.5 percent of respondents in a new poll of East Tennessee residents cited education and children as the topic they want elected leaders to focus on. That’s 6 ...
Elections
Knoxville House candidate proposes removing public funding from public charter schools in debate
In a televised debate on a wide range of topics, Democratic Tennessee House District 18 Candidate Gregory Kaplan proposed a drastic change that would put the fu...
Elections
Here is what Tennessee governor, Democratic challenger say on education
Gov. Bill Lee and his Democratic challenger, Dr. Jason Martin, agree that Tennessee students need timely and relevant vocational training opportunities, but the...
Elections
Tennessee incumbent Gov. Bill Lee facing Democrat challenger Martin with contrasting views
Incumbent Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee was uncontested in the primary and will be facing Democrat Jason Martin in the Nov. 8 general election. Lee won by a wide marg...