Senator Blackburn Continues to Outraise the Field in Governor’s Race

Senator Blackburn (orange shirt) and Memphis Senator Brent Taylor (black vest) campaigning at Columbia’s annual Mule Day Celebration (Photo by Taylor)

U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn, R-TN, is continuing to raise more than the combined totals of every candidate in the 2026 Tennessee governor’s race.

Blackburn reported more than $1.2 million in contributions on this month’s campaign filing for the first quarter of 2026, more than four times the amount reported by every other candidate in the race. The report follows last year’s campaign filing, in which Blackburn’s $5.3 million in contributions also exceeded the gubernatorial field.

Blackburn will face U.S. Congressman John Rose, R-TN, and Representative Monty Fritts, R-Kingston, in the August GOP primary. Rose reported nearly $150,000 in contributions this quarter, while Fritts reported $0.

Fritts’ campaign has yet to respond to a Tennessee Firefly email asking whether the $0 contribution total is accurate or if he plans to update it. Fritts reported more than $151,000 in contributions on last year’s campaign report.

Spending and Ending Balance

Senator Blackburn also reported the largest spending this quarter, with roughly $722,000 in expenditures compared to Rose’s $412,000 and Fritts’ $74,000.

Rose does have a slight lead in overall cash on hand, in part due to a $5 million personal loan. The congressman reported an ending balance of $4.4 million, compared to Blackburn’s $4.3 million and Fritts’ $73,000.

Green Extends Fundraising Lead Over Democrats

Memphis City Councilwoman Jerri Green extended her financial lead over other Democratic candidates competing in the August primary.

Green nearly equaled her contribution total for last year by reporting more than $120,000 in contributions during the first quarter of 2026. Her nearest competitor, Adam “Ditch” Kurtz, raised less than $2,000.

Green is the only Democrat in the race who has held elected office. Tennessee Democrats have struggled to field well-funded candidates in state races in recent years, with the exception of 2018, when former Governor Phil Bredesen and former Nashville Mayor Karl Dean unsuccessfully ran for the open U.S. Senate and Governor’s seats.