Tennessee holds a U.S. Senate race and an open governorship in 2026, on the ballot November 3, 2026, in a reliably Republican state where the primaries often decide the outcome. Here's a nonpartisan guide.
What's on the 2026 ballot in Tennessee?
The U.S. Senate seat held by Republican Bill Hagerty is up. The governorship is open, with Republican incumbent Bill Lee term-limited, drawing a competitive Republican field. Below them: all of Tennessee's U.S. House seats, state offices, legislative races, and local contests.
What makes Tennessee's races matter?
Tennessee votes reliably Republican statewide, so the open governorship especially is most likely decided in the Republican primary, a small, engaged, high-information electorate where a strong texting program is unusually effective. The state's fast-growing metros, Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, and its rural expanse make reaching a varied electorate the task.
Why turnout decides Tennessee
Because safe-seat primaries decide much of the ballot, mobilizing a small primary electorate carries outsized weight, and a midterm lowers turnout further. Tennessee's early and mail voting spreads the work across weeks, and reaching its mix of growing metros and rural counties is the challenge.
Frequently asked questions
What are the big races in Tennessee in 2026?
A U.S. Senate race, the seat held by Republican Bill Hagerty, and an open governorship, Republican incumbent Bill Lee is term-limited, plus all U.S. House seats and state offices.
Why do the primaries matter so much in Tennessee?
Because the state votes reliably Republican, so the Republican primaries, especially for the open governorship, often decide the officeholder, and those small, engaged electorates are where texting is most effective.
Why does turnout matter in Tennessee?
Because safe-seat primaries decide much of the ballot, so mobilizing a small primary electorate carries outsized weight, and midterm turnout runs lower still across weeks of early and mail voting.
This reflects the cycle as of the date above. Facts drawn from nonpartisan sources including Ballotpedia. Confirm voting details at Vote.org.
Keep reading: Texting strategy for a primary campaign and the 2026 midterms are a turnout election.