Biography
BackgroundJohn William Rose is a U.S. Representative serving Tennessee's 6th Congressional District since January 2019. A Cookeville native, he was the first major candidate to enter the 2026 governor's race, announcing on March 20, 2025 at the Wilson County Fairgrounds in Lebanon. His campaign launched with a direct shot at Governor Bill Lee's education leadership — drawing a sharp distinction from what he characterized as a failed approach to education.
Rose was born and raised in Cookeville, Putnam County, on a family farm in the rural community of Temperance Hall. He earned a bachelor's degree in agribusiness economics from Tennessee Technological University (1988), a master's in agricultural economics from Purdue University (1990), and a J.D. from Vanderbilt University Law School (1993).
Rose built his wealth through Boson Software LLC (formerly Transcender Corp.), an IT certification training company he co-founded in 2000. His personal worth is estimated between $24 million and $106 million, according to 2023 congressional financial disclosures — making him one of the wealthiest members of the Tennessee delegation.
Before Congress, Rose served as Tennessee's Commissioner of Agriculture under governors Phil Bredesen and Bill Haslam. He chaired the Tennessee State Fair Association since its founding in 2010, the Tennessee FFA Foundation, and the Tennessee Tech Foundation board.
Rose and his wife Chelsea (née Doss) married in January 2011. They have two sons and live in Cookeville. He briefly went viral in 2024 when one of his sons made silly faces behind him on camera during a House floor speech.
Key distinction: Rose is the only major candidate already running statewide TV and mail advertising campaigns. His campaign uses Bill Lee's former campaign advisor, Chris Devaney, giving him a strategic connection to the outgoing governor's political apparatus — even though Lee has declined to endorse in the primary.
Political Timeline
Career2025 – PRESENT
Candidate for Governor of Tennessee
First major candidate to enter, announced March 20, 2025. Self-funded $5M and raised $1.46M from donors. Running statewide TV and mail campaigns. Uses Bill Lee's former campaign advisor Chris Devaney.
2019 – PRESENT
U.S. Representative, Tennessee 6th District
Fourth-term congressman representing 19 counties including rural Upper Cumberland and part of Nashville. Describes himself as "one of the most conservative members" of Congress. His seat will be open in November 2026.
2010 – PRESENT
Chairman, Tennessee State Fair Association
Founded and chaired the state fair association, building relationships across Tennessee's agricultural community — a key constituency in the governor's race.
2002 – 2003
Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture
Served as the state's top agriculture official under governors Bredesen and Haslam, overseeing policy for Tennessee's farming sector.
2000
Co-founded Transcender Corp / Boson Software
Built an IT certification training company that became the foundation of his personal wealth ($24M–$106M estimated).
Campaign Finance
Follow the MoneyTotal War Chest
$6.46M
$1.46M from donors + $5M personal loan. Largest war chest among all candidates, though 77% is self-funded.
TN Donor Percentage
92%
Of all donor contributions, 92% came from Tennessee — the highest of any major candidate. Compare to Blackburn's 22%.
Personal Loan
$5,000,000
Rose loaned his own campaign $5 million — reflecting his personal fortune from Boson Software. Personal wealth estimated at $24M–$106M.
💰 Self-funded: Largest personal loan in the race
Cash on Hand
$4.71M
After spending an estimated $1.5M+ on statewide TV and mail advertising — the only candidate with active statewide ad buys this early.
🔥 TNFirefly Analysis
Rose's finance strategy is the mirror image of Blackburn's. Where Blackburn raised $5.5M from 33,000 donors but only 22% from Tennessee, Rose raised just $1.46M from donors — but 92% of it came from within the state. The $5M personal loan gives Rose the largest total war chest in the race, and he's the only candidate spending it on statewide advertising already. The question for voters: does a self-funded campaign signal independence from special interests, or does it raise questions about whose interests a governor would serve? Rose's donors skew heavily toward business owners and agriculture connections in his existing TN-6 congressional district.
Education Stances
What Parents Need to KnowEducation Commissioner Pledge
Position Strength
Rose has made a direct pledge to appoint a classroom teacher as Tennessee's Education Commissioner — the most specific education promise from any candidate. This is a direct jab at Governor Lee's appointment of Lizzette Reynolds, who came from Texas and was not Tennessee-certified. Rose launched his campaign by criticizing Lee's education leadership, calling for someone who understands Tennessee classrooms from the inside.
School Choice / Vouchers
Position Strength
Rose has not made school choice or vouchers a central campaign issue. Unlike Blackburn, who has a federal voting record on education choice legislation, Rose has focused his education messaging on the commissioner appointment and criticizing the current administration's approach rather than specific policy positions on vouchers.
No public statement identified as of Feb 2026
Teacher Pay
Position Strength
No specific position identified on teacher salary increases. Rose's teacher-as-commissioner pledge is the closest he's come to addressing teacher concerns, but he has not made specific salary commitments. Tennessee ranks in the bottom third nationally for average teacher pay.
No public statement identified as of Feb 2026
TCAP / Testing Standards
Position Strength
No specific position identified on TCAP testing reform, though his criticism of Governor Lee's education leadership implies dissatisfaction with the current testing and accountability framework.
No public statement identified as of Feb 2026
🔥 TNFirefly Analysis
Rose's education-commissioner pledge is the single most specific education promise from any Republican candidate in this race — and it's smart politics. The appointment of a non-Tennessean commissioner was deeply unpopular with educators across the state. However, one pledge does not make an education platform. Rose has not laid out positions on school choice, teacher pay, TCAP reform, charter expansion, or early childhood education. For a candidate who launched his campaign by attacking the incumbent governor's education record, the lack of detailed alternatives is notable. Tennessee Firefly will continue tracking Rose's education positions as the campaign develops.
Campaign Platform
Key IssuesInfrastructure: "8-Lane Interstates"
Rose has pledged to widen Tennessee's interstates to 8 lanes and ensure every county seat is connected by a 4-lane highway. This is a signature campaign promise targeting rural voters who see infrastructure investment as economic development.
Healthcare Access
Pledged that every Tennessean will live within 30 minutes of emergency medical care — a direct appeal to rural counties that have seen hospital closures. Tennessee has lost multiple rural hospitals in recent years.
Pro-Life
Rose has stated a pro-life position consistent with his congressional voting record. Tennessee already has one of the strictest abortion bans in the country following the Dobbs decision.
Second Amendment
Strong supporter of gun rights, consistent with his congressional voting record. Has an A-rating from the NRA. Tennessee passed permitless carry under Governor Lee in 2021.
Nuclear Power / Energy
Rose has expressed support for nuclear power as part of Tennessee's energy future — aligning with the state's existing nuclear infrastructure at Watts Bar and Sequoyah plants operated by TVA.
Agriculture
As a former Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner and family farmer from Temperance Hall, Rose positions agricultural policy as a core competency. His ag background differentiates him from Blackburn's career-politician trajectory.
Endorsements & Key Support
Who's Backing RoseCampaign Team
Chris Devaney
Campaign Advisor — Former campaign advisor to Governor Bill Lee. Gives Rose a direct strategic link to the outgoing governor's political operation.
March 2025
🔥 TNFirefly Analysis
Rose's endorsement picture is notably thin compared to Blackburn's. While Blackburn has secured the Club for Growth PAC, Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs (as campaign treasurer), and Rep. Tim Burchett, Rose has not announced major public endorsements. His most significant campaign asset is advisor Chris Devaney, who ran Bill Lee's successful 2018 campaign. The Lee connection is strategic but complicated — Rose launched his campaign by attacking Lee's education record, while simultaneously employing Lee's former campaign brain. No Trump endorsement has been issued for any candidate in this race, and that absence benefits Rose; a Trump endorsement for Blackburn would likely end the primary, while the current ambiguity keeps the race competitive.
Voting Record Highlights
Congressional Record
No
2021
Congressional Gold Medal for Jan. 6 Police Officers — Voted against awarding medals to Capitol Police and Metropolitan Police who defended the Capitol on January 6, 2021.
Yes
2021
Objected to 2020 Electoral Count — Supported challenges to the certification of the 2020 presidential election results.
No
2022
Bipartisan Safer Communities Act — Voted against the gun safety bill passed after the Uvalde school shooting. The bill included enhanced background checks for buyers under 21 and funding for state crisis intervention programs.
Yes
2023
Parents Bill of Rights Act — Supported legislation requiring schools to post curricula online and allow parents to review educational materials.
Yes
2019
Taxpayer Protection Pledge — Signed Americans for Tax Reform pledge not to raise taxes.
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.
