Tennessee Primary Election (verify date at your state's Secretary of State website)
Monday, June 1, 2026 · Election has passed
U.S. House, U.S. Senate, statewide offices
What’s being decided
A primary election determines which candidates advance to the November general election. Voters in each party select their nominee, and the winners face each other in the fall.
Tennessee holds an open primary — any registered voter may participate, regardless of party affiliation.
Candidates
U.S. Senate
Republican · Incumbent since 2019
Marsha Blackburn has represented Tennessee in the U.S. Senate since 2019, after serving seven terms in the U.S. House. She sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee and has been a prominent voice on technology and social media regulation. She chose not to seek Senate re-election in 2026, instead running for Governor of Tennessee.
Governor
Republican
Marsha Blackburn has represented Tennessee in the U.S. Senate since 2019, having previously served seven terms in the U.S. House. She is running for Governor of Tennessee as incumbent Governor Bill Lee is term-limited. A strong conservative and close ally of former President Trump, she has a long record on economic, healthcare, and social issues. She leads the Republican primary by a wide margin and is heavily favored in what remains a strongly Republican state.
Democratic
Jerri Green is the 2026 Democratic nominee for Governor of Tennessee after winning the party's primary. She serves on the Memphis City Council and has been a community advocate focused on economic equity, education, and public safety in Tennessee's largest city. She faces significant headwinds in a state where Republicans have dominated statewide elections for decades, but has positioned herself as a practical voice for working-class Tennesseans across both urban and rural communities.
Voter information
Registration deadline
October 4, 2026 (30 days before the November 3 general)
Source: Tennessee Secretary of State