Candidates For Governor Of Tennessee

With the presidential election in the rearview mirror, candidates are already gearing up to launch bids in the 2026 race for Tennessee governor.

The 2026 race will be the first open contest since 2018, when a heated Republican primary become the most expensive in state history.

With Governor Bill Lee term-limited, the GOP primary is likely to be crowded, here’s a few of the names being floated around…

U.S. Rep. John Rose, Cookeville

Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs, Knoxville

Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton, Crossville

Damon Hininger is CEO of CoreCivic, Brentwood

Joe Baker, co-founder of Ole Smoky Moonshine and Yee-Haw Brewing Company, Gatlinburg

U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, Brentwood

U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett, Gibbs

U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles, Columbia