Tennessee voters went to the polls Thursday to choose gubernatorial nominees and congressional primary candidates in districts that were redrawn after a Supreme Court decision narrowed parts of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. The new map dissolved a majority-Black district in the Memphis area and left all nine districts favoring Republicans.
The governor's race is now centered on Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn, who is facing two primary challengers, U.S. Rep. John Rose and state Rep. Monty Fritts. Blackburn, first elected to the Senate in 2018, entered the race last year with a video that showed her alongside President Trump, while Rose has leaned on an earlier attack over her vote to certify the 2020 election loss. Trump has not backed anyone in the contest, even as Blackburn has vowed to support his immigration crackdown 100%.
Five Democrats are also trying to win a spot on the November ballot, with Jerri Green, Carnita Atwater, Tim Cyr, Adam "Ditch" Kurtz and Kevin Lee McCants competing for the chance to face the Republican nominee. The primary is not just about a name on the ballot; it is the gatekeeper to November, and it decides whether the party can even field a challenger in a state where Phil Bredesen was the last Democratic governor and left office in 2011.
The congressional races carry their own sharp edges. In the 5th District, Andy Ogles is facing state Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher, who has the backing of Bill Lee and Bill Haslam, while Trump has already held a tele-rally for Ogles. The Cook Political Report rates the district as Solid R, and the Democrats' campaign arm still says it could be in play, a reminder that party labels and map lines do not always settle a race before the votes are counted.
In the Memphis-area district once represented by Steve Cohen, the redrawn lines have pushed the seat into Solid Republican territory and kept Cohen out of the race for reelection. Four Republicans and four Democrats are competing there, a sign that the court-driven redistricting has changed not only who votes together, but who sees a path to the ballot at all. Blackburn would be the first woman to serve as governor if she wins Thursday and is elected in November, but first she has to clear a field that is still open because Trump has stayed on the sidelines.
