Jerri
Green

Green is the Democratic nominee facing Republican Marsha Blackburn and independent candidates including David Hatley and Lauren Pinkston in the November 3 general election for Tennessee governor.

The Chattanooga Times Free Press reported a new poll showing Green had closed to within single digits of Blackburn in the Tennessee governor's race.

NewsNation reported that Green, as a candidate for Tennessee governor, said she would preserve the existing moratorium on executions if elected.

Ground News reported Green was actively courting support from governors Tim Walz, Gretchen Whitmer, and Andy Beshear as the November 3 election approached.

Green appeared on WREG and discussed her gubernatorial campaign, addressing public schools, environmental protection, housing, wages, the death penalty, gun control, and immigration policy.

WPLN reported Green acknowledged she could not change Tennessee's abortion ban given the Republican-controlled statehouse, and emphasized healthcare access and prenatal care. She also said she would not defund police departments that declined to sign formal agreements with immigration officials.

In an Action News 5 interview, Green called Blackburn a 'coward' for refusing to debate — Green's own characterization. She also reported strong event attendance in Republican-leaning areas including Alamo, Mount Juliet, Roane County, and Caryville.

Ground News summarized reporting that Pinkston publicly refused to exit the governor's race despite Green's request, with the dispute partly tied to an Andrew Jackson-related video.

State News Foundation reported Green had endorsements from U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, state Reps. Aftyn Behn and Justin Pearson, Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris, and organizations including Planned Parenthood, Indivisible Tennessee, the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, Tennessee Young Democrats, and Tennessee College Democrats.

State News Foundation reported Green was reaching out to governors Tim Walz and Gretchen Whitmer in addition to previously acknowledged support from Gov. Andy Beshear.

WPLN reported Green held a forum in Brentwood with an empty podium standing in for Blackburn, which reached the hotel's 182-person occupancy limit. Green said: 'This is a job interview. I'm just the only one showing up for it.' Additional empty-podium forums were planned for Nashville, Memphis (Oct. 9), and Knoxville (Oct. 16).

Nashville Banner profiled Green's campaign, noting her fundraising totals and campaign approach ahead of the November 3 general election.

The Tennessean reported Green opposed Tennessee's voucher program, arguing it diverts funds from public schools and offers limited benefit to rural communities. Her campaign website pledged to fully fund K-12 public education and invest in universal pre-K and special education.

The Tennessee Lookout reported Green proposed using unspent TANF funds for medical debt, housing, and childcare; ending state incentives for data centers; ending private-prison contract renewals; eliminating the grocery tax; and appointing an education commissioner with classroom experience. She also said she would use veto power against measures harming LGBTQ+ people, Muslims, immigrants, or women.

Green's campaign said it had proposed four debate dates — Sept. 30 in Brentwood, Oct. 3 in Nashville, Oct. 9 in Memphis, and Oct. 16 in Knoxville — and that Green would appear whether Blackburn did or not. FOX 17 reported Blackburn refused to debate.

Knox News reported that Green asked independent candidate Lauren Pinkston to end her campaign, arguing her presence could split votes. Pinkston refused. The September TargetSmart poll placed Pinkston at 2%. Knox News also reported Green had raised about $696,493 through July 27, compared with $247,682 for Pinkston.

A TargetSmart survey of 600 likely voters conducted September 9–12, paid for by The Progress Fund (a Green-supporting PAC), showed Blackburn at 45% and Green at 36%, with independent David Hatley at 10%. On a secondary question about trusted leadership, Green led Blackburn 42% to 41%. An earlier Beacon Center poll had shown Blackburn at 55% and Green at 34%.

The Tennessean reported Green as the Democratic nominee in the governor's race, with the general election set for November 3.

Green posted on X thanking Gov. Andy Beshear for his support, saying he demonstrated a candidate could 'put people over party.'

A campaign-platform listing attributed to Green's campaign website states she would fight against and veto all anti-LGBTQ+ legislation if elected governor.

Campaign finance records and reporting list Green as the Democratic nominee, having won the primary with approximately 244,194 votes (about 69%). Sources differ slightly on the exact total but agree she won decisively.

Who Funds TN lists Green's latest filing as the Pre-Primary 2026 report dated July 30, recording $146,830 in receipts for that period and $118,002 in ending cash, with $578,428 spent across all reports.