EXCLUSIVE POLL DATA
Tennessee Statewide General Election Survey
Comprehensive polling of 500 registered Tennessee voters on the issues that matter most — education accountability, the governor's race, school choice, and the state's political direction. Conducted February 5–8, 2026.
SOURCE Tennesseans for Student Success · ±4.38% margin of error · 95% confidence
0
Voters Surveyed
0
Support Student Testing
0
Want School Accountability
0
Blackburn Leads GOP Primary
◆ AT A GLANCE
Key Findings
Education
Tennesseans overwhelmingly support testing, accountability, and school choice — but most don't think the money is being spent wisely.
81% say annual student testing is important. 87% support holding schools accountable. Yet 64% say education funding is NOT spent efficiently.
Governor's Race
Marsha Blackburn dominates the Republican primary field with 60.6% — but over a quarter of voters remain undecided.
John Rose trails at 8.1% and Monty Fritts at 5.1%. The 26.1% undecided block represents a significant opportunity for challengers.
School Choice
Voters aren't just open to school choice — they're ready to act. 82% support open enrollment and 61% would send their child to a different school.
71% support public school choice broadly. When cost and location barriers are removed, a clear majority say they'd leave their zoned school.
◆ EDUCATION POLICY
What Tennesseans Think About Education
A deep dive into voter attitudes on testing, accountability, school choice, career readiness, and education spending.
SURVEY QUESTION
How important is it to test public school students each year in reading, writing, and math?
ImportantNot ImportantUnsure
4 out of 5 voters say annual student testing matters — a powerful mandate for accountability.
SURVEY QUESTION
Is it important to hold schools and teachers accountable?
YesNoUnsure
87% consensus on accountability — one of the strongest results in the entire survey.
SURVEY QUESTION
Do you support the A-F school rating grade system?
SupportiveNot SupportiveUnsure
70% support the A-F grading system — voters want a clear, simple way to measure how schools are performing.
SURVEY QUESTION
Support removing some statewide exams and eliminating most annual teacher evaluations?
No — Keep ThemYes — RemoveUnsure
77% oppose removing exams and teacher evaluations — voters want MORE accountability, not less.
SURVEY QUESTION
Should schools be held to the same standards for both traditional and career learning paths?
Same StandardLower for CareerUnsure
81% say same standards — career pathways should not mean lowering the bar for achievement.
SURVEY QUESTION
Do you support Public School Choice?
YesNoUnsure
Over 7 in 10 support public school choice — parents want options within the public system.
SURVEY QUESTION
Support students enrolling in public schools outside their zone when space is available?
YesNoUnsure
82% support open enrollment — the strongest school choice mandate in the survey.
SURVEY QUESTION
If cost and location were not a factor, how likely would you send your child to a school other than your zoned public school?
61.4% would likely choose a different school — clear demand for expanded options beyond the default.
SURVEY QUESTION
When a public school has a record of poor academic performance, what is the best course of action?
55% want the state or school board to step in when schools underperform — voters favor intervention over inaction.
SURVEY QUESTION
Tennessee spends about 30% of the state budget on education. Do you believe these funds are being spent efficiently?
64%
Say No
64.2% — No, not efficient
25.2% — Unsure
10.6% — Yes, efficient
Nearly two-thirds of voters believe education dollars are not being spent efficiently — a major red flag for administrators.
SURVEY QUESTION
What do you believe is the cause of inefficient spending in education?
Blame is spread nearly evenly across local boards, fraud, and regulations — suggesting a systemic trust problem, not one single scapegoat.
SURVEY QUESTION
Are Tennessee students prepared upon graduation to succeed in college or get a well-paying job?
51.8% say students are NOT prepared — a majority have lost confidence in the graduation pipeline.
SURVEY QUESTION
Support removing Algebra II as a graduation requirement, even if it means ineligibility for UT?
No — Keep ItYes — RemoveUnsure
Two-thirds say keep Algebra II — voters reject lowering the academic bar, even for workforce pathways.
SURVEY QUESTION
Do students and families have access to information to make good decisions about career paths and earning potential?
YesNoUnsure
A nearly perfect three-way split — voters are unclear about whether career info even reaches families.
SURVEY QUESTION
Are you given enough information from your school and district to hold them accountable?
38.6% say they lack information and 23% are unsure — a transparency gap that undermines accountability.
◆ POLITICAL LANDSCAPE
The 2026 Governor's Race
Where the Republican primary stands and how voters plan to participate in the August primary election.
Republican Primary for Governor
If the Republican Primary were held today, who would you most likely support?
60.6%
Marsha Blackburn
FRONTRUNNER
8.1%
John Rose
5.1%
Monty Fritts
26.1%
Still Undecided
SURVEY QUESTION
Do you plan to participate in the August Primary, and in which party?
◆ WHO WAS SURVEYED
Survey Demographics
A breakdown of the 500 registered voters who participated in this survey by party, ideology, age, gender, and education.
Party Affiliation
Political Ideology
Age Distribution
Gender
Education Level
DMA Region
◆ METHODOLOGY
About This Survey
Conducted By
Tennesseans for Student Success
Dates
Feb 5–8, 2026
Respondents
500
Registered voters
Margin of Error
±4.38%
95% confidence level
Contact Method
95% Cell / 5% Landline
Coverage
Statewide
All TN DMA regions
This poll was conducted by Tennesseans for Student Success and reported by Tennessee Firefly, an independent education journalism outlet covering all 95 Tennessee counties. Tennessee Firefly does not endorse candidates. ← Back to Governor's Race Tracker
