Governor of Tennessee · Election November 3, 2026 · Updated
Who should I vote for in the Tennessee governor's race?
Jerri Green has the strongest record in the Tennessee governor's race. Jerri Green and Marsha Blackburn each score 60 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, as of October 9, 2026; Jerri Green ranks first on the tiebreaker, the character score (50 to 44). Jerri Green's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Marsha Blackburn's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Misam Abidi (1 of 15 criteria), Dean Brewer (0 of 15 criteria), Ray Brown (0 of 15 criteria), David Hatley (5 of 15 criteria), Wendell Jackson (2 of 15 criteria), Charles Van Morgan (3 of 15 criteria), Eddie Lee Murphy (0 of 15 criteria), Lauren Pinkston (6 of 15 criteria), Victor Scoggin (4 of 15 criteria), Dave Seeman (3 of 15 criteria), Karl Knox Smithson (0 of 15 criteria), L. Webb Taylor (0 of 15 criteria) and Robert Vick (3 of 15 criteria) have too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Independent
Misam Abidi
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 1 of 15 criteria
- Character
- NR
- Qualifications
- 50
- Performance
- NR
Republican
Marsha Blackburn
60 / 100
Public evidence on 12 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 44
- Qualifications
- 80
- Performance
- 50
Independent
Dean Brewer
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 0 of 15 criteria
- Character
- NR
- Qualifications
- NR
- Performance
- NR
Independent
Ray Brown
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 0 of 15 criteria
- Character
- NR
- Qualifications
- NR
- Performance
- NR
Democratic
Strongest record
Jerri Green
60 / 100
Public evidence on 10 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 70
- Performance
- 50
Independent
David Hatley
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 5 of 15 criteria
- Character
- NR
- Qualifications
- 55
- Performance
- NR
Independent
Wendell Jackson
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 2 of 15 criteria
- Character
- NR
- Qualifications
- 50
- Performance
- NR
Independent
Charles Van Morgan
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 3 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 50
- Performance
- NR
Independent
Eddie Lee Murphy
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 0 of 15 criteria
- Character
- NR
- Qualifications
- NR
- Performance
- NR
Independent
Lauren Pinkston
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 6 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 65
- Performance
- NR
Independent
Victor Scoggin
On the ballot as Victor L. Scoggin
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 4 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 58
- Performance
- NR
Independent
Dave Seeman
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 3 of 15 criteria
- Character
- NR
- Qualifications
- 50
- Performance
- NR
Independent
Karl Knox Smithson
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 0 of 15 criteria
- Character
- NR
- Qualifications
- NR
- Performance
- NR
Independent
L. Webb Taylor
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 0 of 15 criteria
- Character
- NR
- Qualifications
- NR
- Performance
- NR
Independent
Robert Vick
On the ballot as Robert C. Vick
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 3 of 15 criteria
- Character
- NR
- Qualifications
- 58
- Performance
- NR
The good, the bad and the unresolved
The record
The notable facts of each candidate's public life, each tied to a source and confirmed to be this person. Unresolved matters are labeled with where they stand and do not move a score.
Misam Abidi
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
Marsha Blackburn
- On the record2026-05
Donated $4.8 million from her federal Senate campaign account to the Club for Growth PAC in May 2026; a PAC run by Club for Growth officers then spent $4.81 million backing her governor bid.
Source: Tennessee Lookout via Chattanooga Times Free Press, Aug. 3, 2026
- On the record2026-03
The Tennessee Registry of Election Finance dropped a complaint by a Knoxville Republican activist alleging she used federal campaign funds to aid her governor campaign, after word that no transfer took place.
- On the record2026-09
Her joint fundraising committee sent donor emails with subjects such as "CORRECTION REQUIRED"; her campaign confirmed them, and the state ethics bureau said they were outside its jurisdiction.
Source: Nashville Banner via Chattanooga Times Free Press, Sept. 26, 2026
- On the record2026-09
Her campaign paid for a website attacking independent opponent David Hatley over his 1998 felony conviction.
- On the record2026-09
Declined all 2026 general election debate invitations, including from Democrat Jerri Green and independents David Hatley and Lauren Pinkston.
Sources: WPLN News, Oct. 5, 2026, Knoxville News Sentinel, Oct. 5, 2026
- On the record2021-01-06
Voted against the objections to Arizona's and Pennsylvania's electors after earlier planning to object, reversing course after the Capitol was breached.
Sources: Tennessean, Jan. 6, 2021, GovTrack, Senate vote 1, Jan. 6, 2021
- Credit2024-05-07
Her REPORT Act, on reporting online child sexual exploitation, was signed into law May 7, 2024, with two Democratic and three Republican cosponsors.
Dean Brewer
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
Ray Brown
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
Jerri Green
- On the record2026-01-06
Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris appointed her interim Shelby County chief public defender while she served on the Memphis City Council and ran for governor.
Sources: Tri-State Defender, Jan. 7, 2026, WKNO, Feb. 12, 2026
- On the record2026-09-22
Her campaign asked independent candidate Lauren Pinkston to leave the governor race; Pinkston refused.
Source: Knoxville News Sentinel via Yahoo News, Sept. 22, 2026
- On the record2026-09-30
Held a series of public "empty podium" forums after Republican nominee Marsha Blackburn declined to debate.
Source: WPLN News, Oct. 5, 2026
- On the record2026-09
Appeared on a conservative talk radio show to make her case to its listeners.
Source: WPLN News, Oct. 5, 2026
David Hatley
- Mark against1998
Convicted of a felony in 1998 for writing bad checks; he has acknowledged it, saying he was 21 and trying to keep his first business afloat.
Sources: NewsChannel 5, Oct. 9, 2026, Tennessee Lookout via Yahoo News, Sept. 15, 2026
- On the record2026
Loaned his governor campaign $7 million of his own money.
Source: NewsChannel 5, Oct. 9, 2026
- On the record2026-09
Offered to donate $1 million to charity if Republican nominee Marsha Blackburn agreed to debate.
Source: WPLN News, Oct. 5, 2026
Wendell Jackson
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
Charles Van Morgan
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
Eddie Lee Murphy
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
Lauren Pinkston
- On the record2026-09-22
Refused a request from Democratic nominee Jerri Green's campaign that she leave the race.
Source: Knoxville News Sentinel via Yahoo News, Sept. 22, 2026
- On the record2026-10
Called for a debate including the major-party and independent candidates and is leading a petition for one.
Victor Scoggin
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
Dave Seeman
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
Karl Knox Smithson
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
L. Webb Taylor
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
Robert Vick
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
Who they are
Character
Integrity
Tells the truth, keeps their word, and takes no private gain from public office.
Misam Abidi. No public record found.
Marsha Blackburn. Campaign finance disclosures are on file with the Tennessee Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance. No official ethics or campaign finance finding found; the Registry dropped a 2026 complaint about her Senate funds.
Sources: Tennessean via Yahoo News, July 12, 2026, Tennessee Lookout via Yahoo News, Sept. 18, 2026
Dean Brewer. No public record found.
Ray Brown. No public record found.
Jerri Green. State campaign finance reports are on file; she reported raising $696,493 through July 27, 2026. No official ethics or campaign finance finding found.
Source: Knoxville News Sentinel via Yahoo News, Sept. 22, 2026
David Hatley. No public record found.
Wendell Jackson. No public record found.
Charles Van Morgan. No public record found.
Eddie Lee Murphy. No public record found.
Lauren Pinkston. State campaign finance reports are on file; she reported raising $247,682. No official finding found.
Source: Knoxville News Sentinel via Yahoo News, Sept. 22, 2026
Victor Scoggin. No public record found.
Dave Seeman. No public record found.
Karl Knox Smithson. No public record found.
L. Webb Taylor. No public record found.
Robert Vick. No public record found.
Courage
Takes a stand that costs them something, including telling their own side no.
Misam Abidi. No public record found.
Marsha Blackburn. No public record found.
Dean Brewer. No public record found.
Ray Brown. No public record found.
Jerri Green. No public record found.
David Hatley. No public record found.
Wendell Jackson. No public record found.
Charles Van Morgan. No public record found.
Eddie Lee Murphy. No public record found.
Lauren Pinkston. No public record found.
Victor Scoggin. No public record found.
Dave Seeman. No public record found.
Karl Knox Smithson. No public record found.
L. Webb Taylor. No public record found.
Robert Vick. No public record found.
Accountability
Owns mistakes, answers hard questions, and works in the open.
Misam Abidi. No public record found.
Marsha Blackburn. Has declined every 2026 general election debate, including challenges from Democrat Jerri Green and independents David Hatley and Lauren Pinkston, per WPLN and the Knoxville News Sentinel.
Sources: WPLN News, Oct. 5, 2026, Knoxville News Sentinel, Oct. 5, 2026
Dean Brewer. No public record found.
Ray Brown. No public record found.
Jerri Green. Challenged her opponent to four debates and has held a series of public 'empty podium' forums; sat for the Knoxville News Sentinel interview.
Sources: Knoxville News Sentinel, Oct. 5, 2026, WPLN News, Oct. 5, 2026
David Hatley. No public record found.
Wendell Jackson. No public record found.
Charles Van Morgan. No public record found.
Eddie Lee Murphy. No public record found.
Lauren Pinkston. No public record found.
Victor Scoggin. No public record found.
Dave Seeman. No public record found.
Karl Knox Smithson. No public record found.
L. Webb Taylor. No public record found.
Robert Vick. No public record found.
Temperament and judgment
Steady under pressure, decides on evidence, and treats opponents and staff with respect.
Misam Abidi. No public record found.
Marsha Blackburn. State senator, then U.S. House member from 2003 and U.S. senator since 2019. No censure, reprimand or conduct finding found.
Source: Ballotpedia, Marsha Blackburn
Dean Brewer. No public record found.
Ray Brown. No public record found.
Jerri Green. Memphis City Council member since 2024, county deputy chief of staff and now interim chief public defender. No censure, reprimand or conduct finding found.
Sources: Tri-State Defender, Jan. 7, 2026, Ballotpedia, Jerri Green
David Hatley. No public record found.
Wendell Jackson. No public record found.
Charles Van Morgan. No public record found.
Eddie Lee Murphy. No public record found.
Lauren Pinkston. No public record found.
Victor Scoggin. No public record found.
Dave Seeman. No public record found.
Karl Knox Smithson. No public record found.
L. Webb Taylor. No public record found.
Robert Vick. No public record found.
Fidelity to the oath
Uses power inside its limits: accepts certified results, obeys court rulings, follows the rules of the office.
Misam Abidi. No public record found.
Marsha Blackburn. Voted Nay on the January 2005 House objection to Ohio's electors and on the January 2021 Senate objections to Arizona's and Pennsylvania's electors. No misuse-of-office finding found.
Sources: House Clerk Roll Call 7, Jan. 6, 2005, GovTrack, Senate vote 1, Jan. 6, 2021, GovTrack, Senate vote 2, Jan. 7, 2021
Dean Brewer. No public record found.
Ray Brown. No public record found.
Jerri Green. Sworn Memphis City Council member since January 2024. No misuse-of-office finding found.
Source: Ballotpedia, Jerri Green
David Hatley. No public record found.
Wendell Jackson. No public record found.
Charles Van Morgan. Former police officer and trooper, sworn law enforcement under E10. No official finding found.
Source: Ballotpedia, Charles Morgan
Eddie Lee Murphy. No public record found.
Lauren Pinkston. No public record found.
Victor Scoggin. Served in the U.S. Navy from 1977 to 1981. No official finding found.
Source: Ballotpedia, Victor Scoggin
Dave Seeman. No public record found.
Karl Knox Smithson. No public record found.
L. Webb Taylor. No public record found.
Robert Vick. No public record found.
What they bring
Qualifications
Relevant experience
Has done work that prepares them for this specific office.
Misam Abidi. No public record found.
Marsha Blackburn. U.S. senator since 2019, U.S. House member for 16 years before that, and a former state senator.
Sources: GovTrack, Marsha Blackburn, Ballotpedia, Marsha Blackburn
Dean Brewer. No public record found.
Ray Brown. No public record found.
Jerri Green. Memphis City Council member since 2024; deputy chief of staff to the Shelby County mayor; appointed interim Shelby County chief public defender in January 2026; earlier a public defender.
Sources: Tri-State Defender, Jan. 7, 2026, Ballotpedia, Jerri Green
David Hatley. Businessman who owns Whisper Outdoor, which makes hot tubs, golf carts and boats. Has not held public office.
Wendell Jackson. No public record found.
Charles Van Morgan. Attorney (J.D., Nashville School of Law, 2015), former police officer and trooper, and owner of a logistics and transportation business. Has not held elected office.
Source: Ballotpedia, Charles Morgan
Eddie Lee Murphy. No public record found.
Lauren Pinkston. Former Lipscomb University professor who has worked on human trafficking, started businesses employing survivors and led nonprofits; Ph.D. from Clemson. Has not held public office.
Sources: Tennessee Lookout via Yahoo News, Sept. 15, 2026, Campaign site
Victor Scoggin. Retired after 32 years at Ford and 43 years as a volunteer firefighter; founded the group Save the Cumberland, per his site. Has not held public office.
Source: Campaign site
Dave Seeman. Mechanical engineer who built a product design firm, by his own survey answers. Has not held public office.
Source: Ballotpedia, Dave Seeman
Karl Knox Smithson. No public record found.
L. Webb Taylor. No public record found.
Robert Vick. Forty years in public education as a teacher, coach and administrator, by his own account. Has not held elected office.
Source: Ballotpedia, Robert Vick
Command of the job
Knows the issues and knows what the office can and cannot do.
Misam Abidi. No public record found.
Marsha Blackburn. Chairs the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Technology, and Data Privacy and the Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law. Publishes issue pages for the governor race.
Sources: GovTrack, committee membership, Campaign site, economic growth issue page
Dean Brewer. No public record found.
Ray Brown. No public record found.
Jerri Green. Publishes a day-one plan with specific, costed items, such as using $50 million in TANF funds to clear the child care waitlist and $10 million to waive security deposits.
Source: Campaign site, Platform
David Hatley. Proposes an independent, elected state auditor and a budget review; other positions are general.
Sources: NewsChannel 5, Oct. 9, 2026, Campaign site
Wendell Jackson. Campaign site lists employment, housing and health care goals in general terms.
Source: Campaign site
Charles Van Morgan. No public record found.
Eddie Lee Murphy. No public record found.
Lauren Pinkston. Publishes specific proposals, including eliminating the grocery tax, ending school vouchers and adding 50,000 child care slots.
Sources: Campaign site, Tennessee Lookout via Yahoo News, Sept. 15, 2026
Victor Scoggin. No public record found.
Dave Seeman. Publishes a platform with proposals on climate, transit and accountability, mostly in general terms.
Source: Campaign site
Karl Knox Smithson. No public record found.
L. Webb Taylor. No public record found.
Robert Vick. No public record found.
Communication
Explains plainly, persuades, and listens.
Misam Abidi. Completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey.
Source: Ballotpedia, Misam Abidi
Marsha Blackburn. Filled out the Knoxville News Sentinel questionnaire, sat for a WSMV interview and publishes issue pages. Did not do the News Sentinel interview or Ballotpedia's 2026 survey.
Sources: Knoxville News Sentinel, Oct. 5, 2026, WSMV, Oct. 8, 2026, Knoxville News Sentinel voter guide, Oct. 1, 2026, Ballotpedia, Marsha Blackburn
Dean Brewer. No public record found.
Ray Brown. No public record found.
Jerri Green. Completed Ballotpedia's 2026 survey and the Knoxville News Sentinel questionnaire and interview, and publishes a platform page.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Jerri Green, Knoxville News Sentinel, Oct. 5, 2026, Campaign site, Platform
David Hatley. Publishes a platform page and gave in-person interviews to the Knoxville News Sentinel and WSMV. Did not complete the News Sentinel questionnaire or Ballotpedia's 2026 survey.
Sources: Knoxville News Sentinel voter guide, Oct. 1, 2026, Campaign site
Wendell Jackson. Publishes a campaign site with priorities; has not completed Ballotpedia's 2026 survey.
Sources: Campaign site, Ballotpedia, Wendell Jackson
Charles Van Morgan. Completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022; has not completed the 2026 survey.
Source: Ballotpedia, Charles Morgan
Eddie Lee Murphy. No public record found.
Lauren Pinkston. Completed Ballotpedia's 2026 survey and the Knoxville News Sentinel questionnaire and interview, and publishes issue pages.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Lauren Pinkston, Knoxville News Sentinel, Oct. 5, 2026
Victor Scoggin. Completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey and publishes a campaign site.
Source: Ballotpedia, Victor Scoggin
Dave Seeman. Completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey and publishes a platform.
Source: Ballotpedia, Dave Seeman
Karl Knox Smithson. No public record found.
L. Webb Taylor. No public record found.
Robert Vick. Completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey and publishes a campaign site.
Source: Ballotpedia, Robert Vick
Roots in the constituency
Lives there, knows the people, and is funded by them.
Misam Abidi. No public record found.
Marsha Blackburn. Lives in Brentwood and represented Tennessee in the state Senate, U.S. House and U.S. Senate. About 72 percent of her donors in the latest pre-primary state report lived out of state.
Sources: WPLN News, Oct. 5, 2026, Tennessean via Yahoo News, July 12, 2026
Dean Brewer. No public record found.
Ray Brown. No public record found.
Jerri Green. Born in Memphis, a White Station High School graduate, and a Memphis City Council member.
Source: Ballotpedia, Jerri Green
David Hatley. Grew up in Elizabethton in Carter County and has run businesses in East Tennessee for about 30 years.
Source: Campaign site
Wendell Jackson. No public record found.
Charles Van Morgan. No public record found.
Eddie Lee Murphy. No public record found.
Lauren Pinkston. Seventh-generation Tennessean raised in McNairy County; a McNairy Central High School graduate.
Source: Ballotpedia, Lauren Pinkston
Victor Scoggin. Born and raised in Tennessee, by his own account, and a Mt. Juliet High School graduate.
Source: Ballotpedia, Victor Scoggin
Dave Seeman. No public record found.
Karl Knox Smithson. No public record found.
L. Webb Taylor. No public record found.
Robert Vick. Lifelong Jefferson County resident, by his own account, and a Jefferson County High School graduate.
Source: Ballotpedia, Robert Vick
Management
Can build and run an organization.
Misam Abidi. No public record found.
Marsha Blackburn. State campaign finance reports are on file; she reported 8,046 contributions in her pre-primary filing. Owns the event management firm Marketing Strategies. No fine or official finding found.
Sources: Tennessean via Yahoo News, July 12, 2026, Ballotpedia, Marsha Blackburn
Dean Brewer. No public record found.
Ray Brown. No public record found.
Jerri Green. State campaign finance reports are on file. Heads the Shelby County Public Defender's Office on an interim basis since early 2026. No fine or official finding found.
Sources: WKNO, Feb. 12, 2026, Knoxville News Sentinel via Yahoo News, Sept. 22, 2026
David Hatley. Has run a manufacturing business; loaned his campaign $7 million, per NewsChannel 5. No state fine found.
Source: NewsChannel 5, Oct. 9, 2026
Wendell Jackson. No public record found.
Charles Van Morgan. No public record found.
Eddie Lee Murphy. No public record found.
Lauren Pinkston. State campaign finance reports are on file. No fine or official finding found.
Source: Knoxville News Sentinel via Yahoo News, Sept. 22, 2026
Victor Scoggin. No public record found.
Dave Seeman. No public record found.
Karl Knox Smithson. No public record found.
L. Webb Taylor. No public record found.
Robert Vick. No public record found.
What they deliver
Performance
Results
Turns ideas into outcomes.
Misam Abidi. No public record found.
Marsha Blackburn. Center for Effective Lawmaking rates her as meeting expectations in the 118th Congress (LES 2.0 of 0.759 against a benchmark of 0.852). GovTrack lists 21 bills she sponsored that were enacted.
Sources: Center for Effective Lawmaking Senate dataset, 93rd to 118th Congress (Blackburn TN row, 118th), GovTrack, enacted legislation
Dean Brewer. No public record found.
Ray Brown. No public record found.
Jerri Green. No public record found.
David Hatley. No public record found.
Wendell Jackson. No public record found.
Charles Van Morgan. No public record found.
Eddie Lee Murphy. No public record found.
Lauren Pinkston. No public record found.
Victor Scoggin. No public record found.
Dave Seeman. No public record found.
Karl Knox Smithson. No public record found.
L. Webb Taylor. No public record found.
Robert Vick. No public record found.
Showing up
Does the basic work of the job.
Misam Abidi. No public record found.
Marsha Blackburn. GovTrack lifetime record: missed 166 of 3,263 roll call votes, 5.1 percent, January 2003 to September 2026.
Source: GovTrack, missed votes
Dean Brewer. No public record found.
Ray Brown. No public record found.
Jerri Green. No public record found.
David Hatley. No public record found.
Wendell Jackson. No public record found.
Charles Van Morgan. No public record found.
Eddie Lee Murphy. No public record found.
Lauren Pinkston. No public record found.
Victor Scoggin. No public record found.
Dave Seeman. No public record found.
Karl Knox Smithson. No public record found.
L. Webb Taylor. No public record found.
Robert Vick. No public record found.
Constituent service
Solves problems for the people they represent.
Misam Abidi. No public record found.
Marsha Blackburn. No public record found.
Dean Brewer. No public record found.
Ray Brown. No public record found.
Jerri Green. No public record found.
David Hatley. No public record found.
Wendell Jackson. No public record found.
Charles Van Morgan. No public record found.
Eddie Lee Murphy. No public record found.
Lauren Pinkston. No public record found.
Victor Scoggin. No public record found.
Dave Seeman. No public record found.
Karl Knox Smithson. No public record found.
L. Webb Taylor. No public record found.
Robert Vick. No public record found.
Coalition building
Wins support beyond their own faction.
Misam Abidi. No public record found.
Marsha Blackburn. Lugar Center Bipartisan Index score of -0.07916 for 2023, the latest posted Senate scores, ranked 47 of 98 senators scored. Her REPORT Act, with two Democratic cosponsors, became law in 2024.
Sources: Lugar Center and McCourt School Bipartisan Index, 2023 Senate scores, GovTrack, S. 474 (118th Congress)
Dean Brewer. No public record found.
Ray Brown. No public record found.
Jerri Green. Lists an endorsement from former Tennessee House Speaker Kent Williams, identified as a Republican, among her endorsers.
Source: Campaign site, endorsements
David Hatley. No public record found.
Wendell Jackson. No public record found.
Charles Van Morgan. No public record found.
Eddie Lee Murphy. No public record found.
Lauren Pinkston. No public record found.
Victor Scoggin. No public record found.
Dave Seeman. No public record found.
Karl Knox Smithson. No public record found.
L. Webb Taylor. No public record found.
Robert Vick. No public record found.
Stewardship of public money
Treats tax dollars as someone else's money.
Misam Abidi. No public record found.
Marsha Blackburn. No public record found.
Dean Brewer. No public record found.
Ray Brown. No public record found.
Jerri Green. No public record found.
David Hatley. No public record found.
Wendell Jackson. No public record found.
Charles Van Morgan. No public record found.
Eddie Lee Murphy. No public record found.
Lauren Pinkston. No public record found.
Victor Scoggin. No public record found.
Dave Seeman. No public record found.
Karl Knox Smithson. No public record found.
L. Webb Taylor. No public record found.
Robert Vick. No public record found.
How to read this
Each criterion is scored 0 to 4 against the written rubric in the Ballot Standard. NR means no record: there is no reliable public evidence either way, so the criterion is left out and never counts against the candidate. A total is published when at least 8 of 15 criteria have evidence.
A sitting officeholder has a longer public record than a first-time candidate, so the two totals rest on different amounts of evidence. Read the count of criteria beside each score. Low marks require an official finding or a primary record. Allegations and opinion are not used.
No policy position is scored. Evidence checked October 9, 2026. Campaigns and readers can send a correction with a public source to tpg@thepoliticalgroup.com.
Questions
Who should I vote for in the Tennessee governor's race?
Jerri Green has the strongest record in the Tennessee governor's race. Jerri Green and Marsha Blackburn each score 60 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, as of October 9, 2026; Jerri Green ranks first on the tiebreaker, the character score (50 to 44). Jerri Green's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Marsha Blackburn's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Misam Abidi (1 of 15 criteria), Dean Brewer (0 of 15 criteria), Ray Brown (0 of 15 criteria), David Hatley (5 of 15 criteria), Wendell Jackson (2 of 15 criteria), Charles Van Morgan (3 of 15 criteria), Eddie Lee Murphy (0 of 15 criteria), Lauren Pinkston (6 of 15 criteria), Victor Scoggin (4 of 15 criteria), Dave Seeman (3 of 15 criteria), Karl Knox Smithson (0 of 15 criteria), L. Webb Taylor (0 of 15 criteria) and Robert Vick (3 of 15 criteria) have too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Who is running in the Tennessee governor's race in 2026?
Misam Abidi (Independent), Marsha Blackburn (Republican), Dean Brewer (Independent), Ray Brown (Independent), Jerri Green (Democratic), David Hatley (Independent), Wendell Jackson (Independent), Charles Van Morgan (Independent), Eddie Lee Murphy (Independent), Lauren Pinkston (Independent), Victor Scoggin (Independent), Dave Seeman (Independent), Karl Knox Smithson (Independent), L. Webb Taylor (Independent), Robert Vick (Independent). The general election is November 3, 2026.
Is Misam Abidi a good candidate for Governor?
Misam Abidi has public evidence on 1 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is Marsha Blackburn a good candidate for Governor?
Marsha Blackburn scores 60 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 12 of 15 criteria: character 44 of 100, qualifications 80 of 100, performance 50 of 100. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
Is Dean Brewer a good candidate for Governor?
Dean Brewer has public evidence on 0 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is Ray Brown a good candidate for Governor?
Ray Brown has public evidence on 0 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is Jerri Green a good candidate for Governor?
Jerri Green scores 60 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 10 of 15 criteria: character 50 of 100, qualifications 70 of 100, performance 50 of 100. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
Is David Hatley a good candidate for Governor?
David Hatley has public evidence on 5 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is Wendell Jackson a good candidate for Governor?
Wendell Jackson has public evidence on 2 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is Charles Van Morgan a good candidate for Governor?
Charles Van Morgan has public evidence on 3 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is Eddie Lee Murphy a good candidate for Governor?
Eddie Lee Murphy has public evidence on 0 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is Lauren Pinkston a good candidate for Governor?
Lauren Pinkston has public evidence on 6 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is Victor Scoggin a good candidate for Governor?
Victor Scoggin has public evidence on 4 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is Dave Seeman a good candidate for Governor?
Dave Seeman has public evidence on 3 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is Karl Knox Smithson a good candidate for Governor?
Karl Knox Smithson has public evidence on 0 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is L. Webb Taylor a good candidate for Governor?
L. Webb Taylor has public evidence on 0 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is Robert Vick a good candidate for Governor?
Robert Vick has public evidence on 3 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
How is the strongest record decided?
The candidate with the highest Ballot Standard score has the strongest record. Each of 15 criteria on character, qualifications and performance is scored 0 to 4 from public records and established reporting, the same way for every party. No policy position is scored, and unresolved accusations never move a score.
More on this race: every Tennessee race scored, and the Tennessee 2026 election guide. Independent scorecard by The Political Group, not affiliated with any candidate or party.