Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) won the Republican nomination for Tennessee governor on August 6, 2026, defeating Representative John Rose (R-TN) in the primary election. Blackburn received 43.8% of the votes, while Rose garnered 32.7%, and State Representative Monty Fritts received 23.4%, according to results reported by the Associated Press.
Blackburn had been considered the front-runner since announcing her candidacy to succeed term-limited Governor Bill Lee (R-TN) in August 2025. Polling indicated she maintained a significant lead, although Rose had reportedly gained ground in recent weeks, bolstered by substantial self-funding for his campaign.
Tennessee has not elected a Democratic governor in over a decade, and Blackburn is expected to maintain Republican control of the governor's office in the general election. Both Blackburn and Rose aligned their campaigns with the agenda of former President Donald Trump, who did not endorse either candidate during the primary.
In the primary, Blackburn emphasized her record on economic issues and her opposition to a state income tax, while Rose focused on appealing to Trump's voter base. Blackburn will face Democratic primary winner Jerri Green in the upcoming general election.