U.S. Senate, Tennessee · Election November 3, 2026 · Updated
Who should I vote for in the Tennessee U.S. Senate race?
Bill Hagerty has the strongest record in the Tennessee U.S. Senate race. Bill Hagerty scores 55 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, as of October 9, 2026. Bill Hagerty's highest marks are command of the job and relevant experience. Marquita Bradshaw (6 of 15 criteria), Tharon Chandler (4 of 15 criteria), Andrew Gerena (4 of 15 criteria), Jeremy Dean Hearn (2 of 15 criteria), Robert Jones (4 of 15 criteria), James Macon III (3 of 15 criteria), Yoshi Matthews (4 of 15 criteria), David Sutman Jr. (4 of 15 criteria) and Catherine Whitson (4 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.
Democratic
Marquita Bradshaw
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 6 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 65
- Performance
- NR
Independent
Tharon Chandler
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 4 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 58
- Performance
- NR
Independent
Andrew Gerena
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 4 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 42
- Performance
- NR
Republican · incumbent
Strongest record
Bill Hagerty
55 / 100
Public evidence on 10 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 75
- Performance
- 33
Independent
Jeremy Dean Hearn
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 2 of 15 criteria
- Character
- NR
- Qualifications
- 50
- Performance
- NR
Independent
Robert Jones
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 4 of 15 criteria
- Character
- NR
- Qualifications
- 50
- Performance
- NR
Independent
James Macon III
On the ballot as James William Macon III
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 3 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 50
- Performance
- NR
Independent
Yoshi Matthews
On the ballot as Yoshi D. Matthews
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 4 of 15 criteria
- Character
- NR
- Qualifications
- 50
- Performance
- NR
Independent
David Sutman Jr.
On the ballot as David Sutman, Jr.
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 4 of 15 criteria
- Character
- NR
- Qualifications
- 44
- Performance
- NR
Independent
Catherine Whitson
On the ballot as Catherine Barcel "Barcy" Whitson
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 4 of 15 criteria
- Character
- NR
- Qualifications
- 50
- 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.
Marquita Bradshaw
- On the record2026-10-01
Sat for a Knoxville News Sentinel in-person candidate interview for its 2026 voter guide but did not complete its online questionnaire.
Source: Knoxville News Sentinel via Yahoo News, Oct. 1, 2026
- On the record2026-07-17
Reported $2,257.07 in total campaign receipts as of July 17, 2026.
- On the record2020
After losing the November 2020 Senate race to Bill Hagerty, she did not concede and later called concession an antiquated tradition, the Nashville Banner reported.
Source: Nashville Banner, Aug. 6, 2026
Tharon Chandler
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
Andrew Gerena
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
Bill Hagerty
- On the record2026-10-01
Did not take part in the Knoxville News Sentinel 2026 voter guide interview or online questionnaire.
Source: Knoxville News Sentinel via Yahoo News, Oct. 1, 2026
- On the record2022-07
Reported three December 2021 sales of Signature Bank stock in his dependent children's trusts in July 2022, past the STOCK Act's 45-day deadline; his office attributed it to an investment firm's clerical error.
- On the record2021-01-06
Had planned to object to the 2020 Electoral College results, then voted against the objections to Arizona's and Pennsylvania's electors after the Capitol was breached.
Sources: Tennessean, Jan. 6, 2021, GovTrack, Senate vote 1, Jan. 6, 2021
- Credit2025-07-18
His GENIUS Act, which sets a federal framework for stablecoins, was signed into law July 18, 2025.
- Credit2017-07-13
The Senate confirmed his nomination as U.S. ambassador to Japan 86 to 12, with 35 Democrats voting yes.
Jeremy Dean Hearn
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
Robert Jones
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
James Macon III
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
Yoshi Matthews
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
David Sutman Jr.
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
Catherine Whitson
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.
Marquita Bradshaw. Campaign committee reports are on file with the FEC through July 17, 2026. No FEC administrative fine and no official ethics finding found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, coverage dates, FEC administrative fines search
Tharon Chandler. No public record found.
Andrew Gerena. No public record found.
Bill Hagerty. Business Insider reported that in July 2022 he disclosed three December 2021 stock sales from his dependent children's trusts past the 45-day deadline; his office called it an investment firm's clerical error. No Senate record was cited and no ethics finding was found.
Sources: Business Insider via Yahoo News, July 20, 2022, FEC administrative fines search
Jeremy Dean Hearn. No public record found.
Robert Jones. No public record found.
James Macon III. No public record found.
Yoshi Matthews. No public record found.
David Sutman Jr.. No public record found.
Catherine Whitson. No public record found.
Courage
Takes a stand that costs them something, including telling their own side no.
Marquita Bradshaw. No public record found.
Tharon Chandler. No public record found.
Andrew Gerena. No public record found.
Bill Hagerty. No public record found.
Jeremy Dean Hearn. No public record found.
Robert Jones. No public record found.
James Macon III. No public record found.
Yoshi Matthews. No public record found.
David Sutman Jr.. No public record found.
Catherine Whitson. No public record found.
Accountability
Owns mistakes, answers hard questions, and works in the open.
Marquita Bradshaw. No public record found.
Tharon Chandler. No public record found.
Andrew Gerena. No public record found.
Bill Hagerty. No public record found.
Jeremy Dean Hearn. No public record found.
Robert Jones. No public record found.
James Macon III. No public record found.
Yoshi Matthews. No public record found.
David Sutman Jr.. No public record found.
Catherine Whitson. No public record found.
Temperament and judgment
Steady under pressure, decides on evidence, and treats opponents and staff with respect.
Marquita Bradshaw. No public record found.
Tharon Chandler. No public record found.
Andrew Gerena. No public record found.
Bill Hagerty. State economic development commissioner (2011 to 2014), U.S. ambassador to Japan (2017 to 2019) and U.S. senator since 2021. No censure, reprimand or conduct finding found.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Bill Hagerty, GovTrack, Senate vote 160, July 13, 2017
Jeremy Dean Hearn. No public record found.
Robert Jones. No public record found.
James Macon III. No public record found.
Yoshi Matthews. No public record found.
David Sutman Jr.. No public record found.
Catherine Whitson. 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.
Marquita Bradshaw. No public record found.
Tharon Chandler. Served in the U.S. Army in 1991, per his Ballotpedia profile. No official finding found.
Source: Ballotpedia, Tharon Chandler
Andrew Gerena. Says he served in the military; branch and dates are not stated. No official finding found.
Source: Campaign site
Bill Hagerty. Voted Nay on the Jan. 6, 2021 objections to Arizona's and Pennsylvania's electors after earlier planning to object. No misuse-of-office finding found.
Sources: GovTrack, Senate vote 1, Jan. 6, 2021, GovTrack, Senate vote 2, Jan. 7, 2021
Jeremy Dean Hearn. No public record found.
Robert Jones. No public record found.
James Macon III. Served in the U.S. Air National Guard, per his Ballotpedia profile. No official finding found.
Source: Ballotpedia, James Macon III
Yoshi Matthews. No public record found.
David Sutman Jr.. No public record found.
Catherine Whitson. No public record found.
What they bring
Qualifications
Relevant experience
Has done work that prepares them for this specific office.
Marquita Bradshaw. Environmental justice chair of the Sierra Club Tennessee chapter after years with advocacy groups and unions; executive director of the nonprofit Sowing Justice. Has not held public office.
Sources: Nashville Banner, July 20, 2024, Campaign site, Meet Marquita
Tharon Chandler. Career as a journalist, economist, Christian missionary and conservationist, with a 1994 Memphis State University degree. Has not held public office.
Source: Ballotpedia, Tharon Chandler
Andrew Gerena. Technician with an associate degree; work history in security, trucking, information technology and research. No documented leadership role.
Source: Ballotpedia, Andrew Gerena
Bill Hagerty. U.S. senator since January 2021, in his first term; earlier U.S. ambassador to Japan and Tennessee economic development commissioner.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Bill Hagerty, GovTrack, Senate vote 160, July 13, 2017
Jeremy Dean Hearn. No public record found.
Robert Jones. Historian and educator who owns a business; holds a Ph.D. from the University of Newcastle (2020). Has not held public office.
Source: Ballotpedia, Robert Jones
James Macon III. Senior director at Stryker with executive roles at Medtronic and Wright Medical over more than 25 years, by his own survey answers. Has not held public office.
Source: Ballotpedia, James Macon III
Yoshi Matthews. Founder of FTP Nonprofit, serving people with disabilities, with a background in business and accounting, per her campaign site. Has not held public office.
Source: Campaign site
David Sutman Jr.. Truck driver with no documented leadership role. Has not held public office.
Source: Ballotpedia, David Sutman Jr.
Catherine Whitson. Career in the insurance industry, then 20 years as a volunteer life coach, pastor and mentor, per her campaign site. Has not held public office.
Source: Campaign site
Command of the job
Knows the issues and knows what the office can and cannot do.
Marquita Bradshaw. Publishes priorities on schools, the economy, housing, health care, voting, broadband and the environment, mostly in general terms.
Source: Campaign site, Priorities
Tharon Chandler. No public record found.
Andrew Gerena. Publishes a statement of his reasons for running and positions in general terms.
Source: Campaign site
Bill Hagerty. Chairs the Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government and a Banking subcommittee. Sponsored the GENIUS Act, signed July 18, 2025.
Sources: GovTrack, committee membership, GovTrack, S. 1582 (119th Congress)
Jeremy Dean Hearn. Campaign site lists priorities in general terms, including a proposed Equal Earnings Act.
Source: Campaign site
Robert Jones. Publishes issue pages and a proposed Accountability Act in general terms.
Source: Campaign site
James Macon III. No public record found.
Yoshi Matthews. Campaign site lists fiscal responsibility, local communities, public safety and limited government in general terms.
Source: Campaign site
David Sutman Jr.. Publishes issues and platform pages in general terms.
Source: Campaign site
Catherine Whitson. Campaign site lists positions on transportation, election administration and other issues in general terms.
Source: Campaign site
Communication
Explains plainly, persuades, and listens.
Marquita Bradshaw. Completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey, sat for a Knoxville News Sentinel in-person interview and publishes a priorities page. Did not complete the News Sentinel online questionnaire.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Marquita Bradshaw, Knoxville News Sentinel via Yahoo News, Oct. 1, 2026, Campaign site, Priorities
Tharon Chandler. Completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024; has not completed the 2026 survey.
Source: Ballotpedia, Tharon Chandler
Andrew Gerena. Completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey and publishes a campaign site.
Source: Ballotpedia, Andrew Gerena
Bill Hagerty. No public record found.
Jeremy Dean Hearn. Publishes a campaign site with priorities; has not completed Ballotpedia's 2026 survey.
Sources: Campaign site, Ballotpedia, Jeremy Hearn
Robert Jones. Completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey and publishes issue pages.
Source: Ballotpedia, Robert Jones
James Macon III. Completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey. No campaign site found.
Source: Ballotpedia, James Macon III
Yoshi Matthews. Publishes a campaign site with an issues section; has not completed Ballotpedia's 2026 survey.
Sources: Campaign site, Ballotpedia, Yoshi Matthews
David Sutman Jr.. Completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey and publishes a campaign site with issue pages.
Source: Ballotpedia, David Sutman Jr.
Catherine Whitson. Publishes a campaign site with issue positions; has not completed Ballotpedia's 2026 survey.
Sources: Campaign site, Ballotpedia, Catherine Whitson
Roots in the constituency
Lives there, knows the people, and is funded by them.
Marquita Bradshaw. Memphis native who describes herself as a tenth-generation South Memphis resident. All $250 of itemized individual contributions by state for 2025 to 2026 came from Tennessee (FEC), a very small base.
Sources: Nashville Banner, July 20, 2024, Campaign site, Meet Marquita, FEC contribution totals by state
Tharon Chandler. Born in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, and a Lawrence County High School graduate.
Source: Ballotpedia, Tharon Chandler
Andrew Gerena. No public record found.
Bill Hagerty. Born in Gallatin, Tennessee, and served in state government. About 36 percent of itemized individual contributions by state for 2025 to 2026 came from Tennessee (FEC).
Sources: Ballotpedia, Bill Hagerty, FEC contribution totals by state
Jeremy Dean Hearn. No public record found.
Robert Jones. No public record found.
James Macon III. No public record found.
Yoshi Matthews. No public record found.
David Sutman Jr.. No public record found.
Catherine Whitson. Says she votes early in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Source: Campaign site
Management
Can build and run an organization.
Marquita Bradshaw. Campaign committee reports are on file with the FEC through July 17, 2026, with total receipts of $2,257.07. No FEC administrative fine found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, Nashville Banner, Aug. 6, 2026, FEC administrative fines search
Tharon Chandler. No public record found.
Andrew Gerena. No public record found.
Bill Hagerty. Campaign committee reports are on file with the FEC through July 17, 2026, with no debts reported and no FEC administrative fine found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, FEC administrative fines search
Jeremy Dean Hearn. No public record found.
Robert Jones. Campaign committee report on file with the FEC for April to June 2026 showing no receipts; he says he accepts no donations. No FEC administrative fine found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, Campaign site
James Macon III. No public record found.
Yoshi Matthews. Campaign committee report on file with the FEC for April to June 2026. No FEC administrative fine found.
Source: FEC candidate page
David Sutman Jr.. Campaign committee report on file with the FEC for April to June 2026. No FEC administrative fine found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, FEC administrative fines search
Catherine Whitson. No public record found.
What they deliver
Performance
Results
Turns ideas into outcomes.
Marquita Bradshaw. No public record found.
Tharon Chandler. No public record found.
Andrew Gerena. No public record found.
Bill Hagerty. Center for Effective Lawmaking rates him below expectations in the 118th Congress (LES 2.0 of 0.206 against a benchmark of 0.852). Raised to 2 under E14: his GENIUS Act became law July 18, 2025.
Sources: Center for Effective Lawmaking Senate dataset, 93rd to 118th Congress (Hagerty TN row, 118th), GovTrack, S. 1582 (119th Congress), GovTrack, enacted legislation
Jeremy Dean Hearn. No public record found.
Robert Jones. No public record found.
James Macon III. No public record found.
Yoshi Matthews. No public record found.
David Sutman Jr.. No public record found.
Catherine Whitson. No public record found.
Showing up
Does the basic work of the job.
Marquita Bradshaw. No public record found.
Tharon Chandler. No public record found.
Andrew Gerena. No public record found.
Bill Hagerty. Missed 144 of 2,544 roll call votes, 5.7 percent, from January 2021 to September 2026.
Source: GovTrack, missed votes
Jeremy Dean Hearn. No public record found.
Robert Jones. No public record found.
James Macon III. No public record found.
Yoshi Matthews. No public record found.
David Sutman Jr.. No public record found.
Catherine Whitson. No public record found.
Constituent service
Solves problems for the people they represent.
Marquita Bradshaw. No public record found.
Tharon Chandler. No public record found.
Andrew Gerena. No public record found.
Bill Hagerty. No public record found.
Jeremy Dean Hearn. No public record found.
Robert Jones. No public record found.
James Macon III. No public record found.
Yoshi Matthews. No public record found.
David Sutman Jr.. No public record found.
Catherine Whitson. No public record found.
Coalition building
Wins support beyond their own faction.
Marquita Bradshaw. No public record found.
Tharon Chandler. No public record found.
Andrew Gerena. No public record found.
Bill Hagerty. Lugar Center Bipartisan Index score of -1.01023 for 2023, the latest posted Senate scores, ranked 87 of 98 senators scored, in the bottom quarter.
Source: Lugar Center and McCourt School Bipartisan Index, 2023 Senate scores
Jeremy Dean Hearn. No public record found.
Robert Jones. No public record found.
James Macon III. No public record found.
Yoshi Matthews. No public record found.
David Sutman Jr.. No public record found.
Catherine Whitson. No public record found.
Stewardship of public money
Treats tax dollars as someone else's money.
Marquita Bradshaw. No public record found.
Tharon Chandler. No public record found.
Andrew Gerena. No public record found.
Bill Hagerty. No public record found.
Jeremy Dean Hearn. No public record found.
Robert Jones. No public record found.
James Macon III. No public record found.
Yoshi Matthews. No public record found.
David Sutman Jr.. No public record found.
Catherine Whitson. 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 U.S. Senate race?
Bill Hagerty has the strongest record in the Tennessee U.S. Senate race. Bill Hagerty scores 55 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, as of October 9, 2026. Bill Hagerty's highest marks are command of the job and relevant experience. Marquita Bradshaw (6 of 15 criteria), Tharon Chandler (4 of 15 criteria), Andrew Gerena (4 of 15 criteria), Jeremy Dean Hearn (2 of 15 criteria), Robert Jones (4 of 15 criteria), James Macon III (3 of 15 criteria), Yoshi Matthews (4 of 15 criteria), David Sutman Jr. (4 of 15 criteria) and Catherine Whitson (4 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 U.S. Senate race in 2026?
Marquita Bradshaw (Democratic), Tharon Chandler (Independent), Andrew Gerena (Independent), Bill Hagerty (Republican, incumbent), Jeremy Dean Hearn (Independent), Robert Jones (Independent), James Macon III (Independent), Yoshi Matthews (Independent), David Sutman Jr. (Independent), Catherine Whitson (Independent). The general election is November 3, 2026.
Is Marquita Bradshaw a good candidate for U.S. Senate?
Marquita Bradshaw 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 Tharon Chandler a good candidate for U.S. Senate?
Tharon Chandler 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 Andrew Gerena a good candidate for U.S. Senate?
Andrew Gerena 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 Bill Hagerty a good candidate for U.S. Senate?
Bill Hagerty scores 55 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 10 of 15 criteria: character 50 of 100, qualifications 75 of 100, performance 33 of 100. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
Is Jeremy Dean Hearn a good candidate for U.S. Senate?
Jeremy Dean Hearn 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 Robert Jones a good candidate for U.S. Senate?
Robert Jones 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 James Macon III a good candidate for U.S. Senate?
James Macon III 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 Yoshi Matthews a good candidate for U.S. Senate?
Yoshi Matthews 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 David Sutman Jr. a good candidate for U.S. Senate?
David Sutman Jr. 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 Catherine Whitson a good candidate for U.S. Senate?
Catherine Whitson 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.
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, the trailing candidate's path to victory, and the Tennessee 2026 election guide. Independent scorecard by The Political Group, not affiliated with any candidate or party.