Three of the four major Tennessee gubernatorial candidates appeared at a forum one week before the 2026 election and answered questions on a range of topics, including private school vouchers, data centers and toll lanes.
U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, the Republican nominee and favorite to win the race, declined to participate in the forum, continuing a trend among Tennessee GOP candidates of avoiding appearing on stage against their campaign opponents.
Democratic candidate Jerri Green and independent candidate David Hatley both attacked Blackburn at the forum hosted by the Tennessee Press Association and Middle Tennessee State University on the school’s Murfreesboro campus.
Green, a Memphis city council member, said it was a shame the only other candidate with a “path to victory” wouldn’t debate.
The press association invited Blackburn, Green, Hatley and Lauren Pinkston, another independent candidate. Blackburn was the only one of the four who declined the invitation.