LIVE TRACKER
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 February 9, 2026 · Data from TN Secretary of State, Registry of Election Finance, and public sources
Who's Running
View All Candidate Profiles →Republican Primary · August 6, 2026
Marsha Blackburn
U.S. Senator
★ Frontrunner
Close ally of President Trump with statewide name recognition from two Senate elections. If elected, would be Tennessee's first female governor and would appoint her own Senate replacement.
$5.35M
Raised
33,000
Contributions
John Rose
U.S. Representative, TN-6
Declared
Family farmer, IT businessman, and former Commissioner of Agriculture. Self-funded $5M and already running TV ads statewide. Touts that 92% of his contributions come from Tennessee donors.
$6.46M
War Chest
92%
From TN
Monty Fritts
State Representative, 32nd Dist.
Declared
Anti-establishment Army veteran and Y-12 nuclear complex manager. One of ~20 House Republicans to vote against school vouchers. Called for execution of parents/doctors of trans children (Jan 2026).
$167K
Raised
Anti-Voucher
Key Stance
CP
Cito Pellegra
Arlington, TN
Filed
Filed to run in the Republican primary. No campaign website, no campaign finance reports, no public platform, and no media coverage. A ballot-only candidate.
$0
Raised
None
Platform
Democratic Primary · August 6, 2026
Jerri Green
Memphis City Council, Dist. 2
★ Dem Frontrunner
Georgetown Law grad, former public defender, three-time gun violence survivor. The only Democrat with current elected office experience. Running on "army of moms" coalition and public school funding.
$26K
Raised
1st
Among Dems
CA
Carnita Atwater
Community Advocate, Memphis
Declared
Museum president and Memphis community leader. Ran for governor in 2022 (3rd in Dem primary) and Memphis mayor in 2023. First African American woman to run for TN governor. Focused on racial equity, healthcare, and community advocacy.
—
Raised
2nd Run
For Gov
AK
Adam "Ditch" Kurtz
Musician, Nashville
Declared
Nashville pedal steel guitarist running a no-corporate-money grassroots campaign. "I'm a people." Supports free healthcare, eliminating grocery tax, raising minimum wage, and legalizing marijuana with tax revenue to public schools.
$4K
Raised
Grassroots
No Corp $
TC
Tim Cyr
Gallatin, TN
Filed
"Tennessee Tim" moved to TN in 2017. Previously ran for Illinois House in 2010. No campaign website, no platform, and minimal public profile. A ballot-only candidate in the Democratic primary.
$0
Raised
None
Platform
Independent · General Election · November 3, 2026
4
4 Independent Candidates
Maxwell · Pinkston · Reddy · Vick
Filed
Four independents have filed to appear on the November general election ballot, bypassing the primary. Stephen Maxwell (military veteran, nonprofit leader) has the most detailed platform. The others have minimal public profiles.
0%
Polling
Details →
Other Candidates
Latest Poll
View All Polls & Ratings →Tennessee Statewide GOP Primary Survey
The takeaway: Blackburn commands a 52-point lead over her nearest rival, but more than 1 in 4 voters remain undecided — the largest bloc after Blackburn herself.
📊 NEW: EDUCATION POLL
81%Say testing matters
87%Want accountability
82%Support open enrollment
64%Say money misspent
The Money Race
Campaign FinanceLoading finance data...
Source: Tennessee Registry of Election Finance · Auto-updated every 6 hours
Where Do They Stand on Education?
TNFirefly FocusThe Issues That Matter for Tennessee's Kids
Every outlet tracks polls and money. Only TNFirefly breaks down what each candidate's platform means for Tennessee students, teachers, and families.
87%Want accountability
82%Open enrollment
81%Testing matters
64%Money misspent
Source: TSS Statewide Poll · 500 Registered Voters · Feb 2026
School Choice & Vouchers
Teacher Pay & Recruitment
TCAP & Testing Standards
Charter Schools
Workforce Readiness
Pre-K & Early Childhood
Higher Education
School Safety
Special Education
Funding Formula
Compare Candidates on Education →
Race Timeline
View Full Timeline →FEB 9, 2026
TSS Statewide Poll Released — Tennesseans for Student Success publishes comprehensive survey of 500 voters. Blackburn leads GOP primary at 60.6%, Rose at 8.1%, Fritts at 5.1%. Education data reveals 87% support accountability, 82% back open enrollment, and 64% say education money isn't spent well.
FEB 3, 2026
Blackburn sets fundraising record — Reports $5.35M raised with 33,000 contributions, breaking the state's filing system. Rose campaign highlights $6.46M total war chest and 92% Tennessee donors.
JAN 29, 2026
Fritts calls for execution of parents of trans children — Podcast appearance goes viral via Right Wing Watch. Rep. Monty Fritts advocates capital punishment for parents, guardians, and doctors involved in gender-affirming care for minors. Draws national condemnation.
JAN 9, 2026
Carnita Atwater officially files — Memphis community advocate pulls petition to run for governor a second time, after finishing third in the 2022 Democratic primary.
SEP 5, 2025
Monty Fritts announces — State Rep. declares at Washington County GOP "Trump Day dinner." Running on anti-establishment, anti-voucher platform with slogan "Liberty & Less Government."
AUG 2025
Beacon Center poll: Blackburn 68%, Rose 14% — Early poll among 571 Republican voters shows commanding lead, though early polling doesn't always predict winners (Bill Lee trailed in 2018 polls).
AUG 6, 2025
Blackburn officially enters race — Announces candidacy exactly one year before the primary. Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs named as campaign treasurer.
JUL 2025
Jerri Green enters Democratic primary — Memphis city councilwoman, Georgetown Law grad, and three-time gun violence survivor becomes the leading Democratic candidate.
MAY 15, 2025
Adam "Ditch" Kurtz launches campaign — Nashville musician kicks off at The 5 Spot in East Nashville with live music from Gabe Lee and Chuck Mead. Pledges no corporate money.
MAR 2025
John Rose enters governor's race — Announces he won't seek re-election to Congress, loans campaign $5 million. First major Republican candidate to formally enter.
KEY DATE: MAR 10, 2026
Filing Deadline — All candidates must file by 12:00 noon. The field officially locks in.
This tracker is produced by The Tennessee Firefly, an education journalism outlet covering all 95 Tennessee counties. All information is sourced from public records, official filings, and verified reporting. We do not endorse candidates. Factual information is clearly separated from analysis. Learn more about our standards.
