Tennessee Republicans head to the polls Thursday to select their nominee for governor in a closely watched primary featuring Sen. Marsha Blackburn and Rep. John Rose, both staunch allies of former President Donald Trump. The race, which also includes state Rep. Monty Fritts, comes as polls indicate a tightening contest after Blackburn held a double-digit lead for much of the campaign.
Blackburn, 74, and Rose, 61, are vying to replace term-limited Republican Gov. Bill Lee, who cannot seek reelection. Five Democrats, including Memphis City Councilwoman Jerri Green, are competing for their party’s nomination. The winner of the Republican primary is widely expected to prevail in the November general election, given Tennessee’s strong Republican lean—Trump won the state by nearly 30 percentage points in 2024.
The primary coincides with newly redrawn congressional districts, including the dissolution of a majority-Black Memphis district, following a Supreme Court decision that narrowed the Voting Rights Act. The changes have drawn criticism from voting rights advocates, who argue the redistricting dilutes Black political representation.
Republican Contenders and Key Dynamics
Sen. Marsha Blackburn, a former U.S. House member elected to the Senate in 2018, has positioned herself as the frontrunner, emphasizing her alignment with Trump’s agenda. She announced her gubernatorial bid in a video featuring images of her with the former president, declaring, "Trump is back, America is blessed and Tennessee better than ever." Blackburn has declined to participate in any debates, and Rose withdrew from a scheduled debate when it was set to include only him and Fritts.
Rep. John Rose, a four-term congressman representing Tennessee’s 6th District, has criticized Blackburn for voting to certify the 2020 election results, a stance that contrasts with Trump’s refusal to accept his loss. Rose has framed himself as a more loyal Trump ally, though the former president remained neutral in the primary, stating in January that he had "begged" Blackburn not to run, fearing the loss of her Senate seat.
State Rep. Monty Fritts, a self-described Christian nationalist, has emerged as a far-right challenger. Fritts recently vowed to ban non-Christian religions, asserting that the First Amendment applies only to Congress. His campaign has drawn comparisons to fringe movements, with analysts noting his positions diverge sharply from mainstream Republican politics in Tennessee.
Democratic Field and Congressional Races
Five Democrats are competing for their party’s gubernatorial nomination, including state Rep. Justin Pearson, who is backed by Sen. Bernie Sanders and progressive congressional allies, and state Sen. London Lamar, endorsed by outgoing Rep. Steve Cohen and Memphis Mayor Paul Young. Cohen, the incumbent from the now-dissolved majority-Black district, chose not to seek reelection after the redistricting made his seat a safe Republican district.
Four Democrats are running to replace Cohen in the newly redrawn 9th Congressional District, which political analysts now rate as a safe Republican seat. The race has drawn national attention due to its implications for Democratic representation in Tennessee, a state where Republicans have not lost a gubernatorial election in two decades.
Implications for November
If Blackburn wins the Republican primary, she would become the first woman to serve as governor of Tennessee. Her campaign has emphasized conservative leadership, vowing to support Trump’s immigration policies "100%" and positioning Tennessee as a model for conservative governance. Rose and Fritts have also stressed their MAGA credentials, reflecting the state’s deep Republican base.
The primary results will set the stage for the November general election, where the Republican nominee is expected to face minimal opposition. The outcome could also influence the balance of power in Tennessee’s congressional delegation, particularly in light of the recent redistricting changes.
Voters will also weigh in on other statewide and federal races, including contests for the state legislature and newly configured congressional districts. The elections come amid heightened scrutiny of voting rights and representation in Tennessee, with critics arguing the redistricting process undermined democratic principles.