Jerri Green to Challenge Marsha Blackburn in Tennessee
Democratic state representative Jerri Green will compete against Senator Marsha Blackburn for the Tennessee governorship.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Elections
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Democratic state representative Jerri Green is set to run for governor of Tennessee to replace term-limited Governor Bill Lee. The election will take place in November 2026.
Why it matters
The race marks a test for Democratic efforts in a state where no member of the party has won a statewide election since 2006. Analyst Kurt Bardella suggests the contest could potentially result in an electoral upset.
No Democrat has secured a statewide race in Tennessee since 2006. Recent data shows Donald Trump won the state by 30 points in 2024, though his approval rating reached 33% in a poll released October 19, 2026.
The players
Jerri Green
Jerri Green is a Democratic state representative currently campaigning for the Tennessee governorship.
Marsha Blackburn
Marsha Blackburn is a Republican senator who previously served in the House of Representatives.
Bill Lee
Bill Lee is the current Governor of Tennessee and is ineligible to run for re-election due to term limits.
Donald Trump
Donald Trump is the current President of the United States who won Tennessee by a 30-point margin in 2024.
Kurt Bardella
Kurt Bardella is a political analyst who has projected that the gubernatorial race could result in an upset.
The details
Jerri Green, a current Democratic state representative, aims to succeed term-limited Governor Bill Lee in a state that remains heavily Republican. Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn, who has served in the House since 2003 and won a Senate seat in 2018, is her opponent.
Timeline
2003: Marsha Blackburn began serving in the House.
2006: A Democrat last won a statewide Tennessee race.
2018: Marsha Blackburn won her Senate seat.
2024: Donald Trump won Tennessee by 30 points.
October 19, 2026: Release of Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll.
Political Context
The race tests whether Democrats can overcome the historical precedent of the 2006 Tennessee statewide election, which remains the last Democratic victory in the state. Republicans argue the state's deep conservative lean remains the primary hurdle for any challenger.
Residents will see intensified campaigning as the November 2026 election approaches, which may influence state policy priorities. The outcome will ultimately determine the next leadership direction for Tennessee government administration.
The takeaway
Voters should monitor official candidate platforms to understand how each candidate plans to address state-level fiscal and social policies. The election results in November 2026 will dictate the future direction of the state's executive branch.
Further reading
Learn more about the upcoming vote on the Tennessee Elections page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Raw Story.
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