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· collected 2026-08-06 · by Paul Steinhauser
Senator Marsha Blackburn, a conservative Republican with a strong national profile, is leading in Thursday's Republican gubernatorial primary in Tennessee. She faces opposition from four-term Representative John Rose and state Representative Monty Fritts, but has shown support for President Donald Trump despite his neutrality in the contest. The election to succeed term-limited Governor Bill Lee is widely seen as non-competitive, with Democrats having not won a gubernatorial election in the state in over two decades. Outside groups have poured significant funds into the primary race, which also includes contests for other state and federal offices.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-21,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Sen. Marsha Blackburn, a conservative firebrand from Tennessee, is seeking to become the state's next governor after serving two terms in the US Senate and over 15 years in the House of Representatives. With no endorsement from President Donald Trump, who has instead expressed his reluctance for her to leave the Senate, she is still considered the front-runner in Thursday's Republican primary against opponents including Rep. John Rose and state Rep. Monty Fritts. The election marks a significant moment for Tennessee Republicans, as Democrats have not won a gubernatorial seat in over two decades. Blackburn has maintained her support for Trump throughout her career, but will now focus on state-level issues if elected governor.
Written for “Tennessee Gubernatorial Race” on 2026-08-31,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
The article's own words the score was based on. Each is quoted
verbatim and was checked against the article text before being
stored, so you can find it in the original.
Leaning score +0.65 for article 593 (high confidence, 2 verified quotes) · logged 2026-08-27
Conservative firebrand Sen. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee is aiming to change her work address from Washington D.C. to Nashville.
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Blackburn → aim → Nashville
The former longtime congresswoman and two-term senator with a robust national profile thanks to her regular cable news appearances is the front-runner in Thursday's Republican gubernatorial primary, in the race to succeed term-limited GOP Gov. Bill Lee.
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congresswoman → succeed → Lee
The Republican face-off for governor of Tennessee, where Democrats haven't won a gubernatorial election in two decades, takes top billing as the red-leaning southeastern state holds nominating contests for state and federal offices.
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state → win → offices
Blackburn is considered the frontrunner in a race that also includes four-term Rep. John Rose, who like Blackburn is a staunch Capitol Hill supporter of President Donald Trump, and state Rep. Monty Fritts.
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who → consider → Trump
Even though the president handed out endorsements in other GOP gubernatorial primaries this cycle, Trump remained neutral in the Tennessee contest.
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Trump → hand → contest
"Unfortunately, she’s running for governor.
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she → run → governor
She’s running for governor of Tennessee.
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She → run → Tennessee
I’d love her not to, I begged her," Trump said in January.
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Trump → love → January
"‘I said, ‘Marsha, don’t.
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I → say → ?
We don’t want to lose you in the Senate.’
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We → want → Senate
"
But the president has said Blackburn would be a good governor, and also noted that Rose has been a staunch loyalist.
Even though she didn't land Trump's endorsement, Blackburn has showcased her support for him.
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Blackburn → say → him
"As President Trump sends power and authority back to the states, I'm ready to deliver for the people of the Volunteer State and make our state America's conservative leader," she wrote on the eve of the primary in a social media post that included a photo of her and Trump.
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that → send → her
Five Democrats, including Memphis City Councilwoman Jerri Green, are bidding for their party's gubernatorial nomination.
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Democrats → include → nomination
Tennessee's other U.S. senator, Republican Bill Hagerty, is unopposed in the GOP primary as he seeks a second six-year term in the Senate.
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he → seek → Senate
Five Democrats are vying to challenge Hagerty in the general election.
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Democrats → vie → election
Then-Sen. Al Gore's re-election 36 years ago was the last time a Democrat won a Senate contest in Tennessee.
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Democrat → win → Tennessee
In U.S. House battles, Memphis voters will cast ballots for their Democratic and Republican nominees using a new GOP-drawn congressional district map that created an extra right-leaning seat and forced longtime Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen to not seek re-election.
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that → cast → election
Meanwhile, two-term Republican Rep. Andy Ogles, a major Trump ally in the House who is backed by the president, is facing a stiff primary challenge from Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher, who was endorsed earlier this week by Lee.
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who → back → Lee
The race has seen a large infusion of money from outside groups.
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race → see → groups
