Republican Blackburn and Democrat Jerri Green Will Face Off in Tennessee Governor Race

NASHVILLE—Republican Marsha Blackburn will face Democrat Jerri Green in the general election to become Tennessee’s next governor.

Blackburn, who was first elected to represent the Volunteer State in the U.S. Senate in 2018, won the Republican primary on Aug. 6 against opponents Monty Fritts and John Rose. She remains a sitting senator.

“One year ago, we set out on this journey with one goal: to make Tennessee America’s conservative leader and show the nation what strong, bold, conservative leadership looks like,” Blackburn wrote on X. “Tonight, I am humbled and honored that you’ve chosen me as your Republican nominee for Governor.”

The Associated Press called the Republican primary race at 9:31 p.m. ET.

Green came out on top in the Democratic Party, beating Carnita Atwater, Tim Cyr, Adam “Ditch” Kurtz, and Kevin Lee McCants.

“We started this movement because Tennessee families deserve a leader who fights for groceries they can afford, world-class public schools, and healthcare that doesn’t bankrupt them—not out-of-touch extremists answering only to the wealthy and well-connected,” Green wrote on X Thursday night.

The Associated Press called the Democratic primary race at 8:31 p.m. ET.

Green, who is a Memphis city councilwoman and lawyer, ran on a platform to promote paid family leave, have affordable child care, and boost funding for public schools.

Tennessee is one of 36 states holding gubernatorial elections this year after Gov. Bill Lee, a Republican, was unable to run again due to term limit rules.

Cook Political Report ranks the seat as a “solid Republican” spot.

President Donald Trump did not make an endorsement in the gubernatorial primary. He backed Blackburn when she ran for Senate in 2018.

Her website and campaign materials featured photos and videos of her with the president.

Blackburn had a large lead in the early polls, but Rose gained ground as the primary election inched closer.

“I want to begin by congratulating Marsha Blackburn for winning this primary,” Rose told a packed audience at his election night watch party at Leslie Town Centre in his hometown of Cookeville on Thursday night.

“I made a call to her just a few moments ago to congratulate her and to pledge that as a Republican, I’ll be supporting the Republican nominee in the general election coming up in November.”

The senator is running on a platform to boost the economy, keep men out of women’s sports, protect U.S. borders, and keep the community safe.

The Epoch Times spoke to voters in counties that swung left and right in the 2024 election. Some only spoke on condition of remaining anonymous.

Voters in the Democrat-leaning Shelby County, where Memphis is based, told the Epoch Times they wanted to elect lawmakers who boost jobs in the area and lower crime.

“Get them all out,” one Democratic voter told the Epoch Times when she was asked who she voted for.

Another voter in Memphis said Democrats were “1,000 percent energized” to visit the polls after the controversial redistricting in the fall.

In the Republican-leaning Williamson County, just south of Nashville, Republican voter Angela Beaton said she wanted Monty Fritts to take the GOP nomination in the governor’s race for his proposals to reform property tax and cut government spending.

Lisa, a Republican voter in Williamson County, said one of the main issues that motivated her to go to the polls was to “get rid of fraud” across all levels of government.