Tennessee primary elections shape governor, Senate and congressional races

Tennessee voters will cast ballots Thursday in a statewide primary that includes the race for governor, a U.S. Senate seat and several congressional contests. Republican Gov. Bill Lee is term‑limited, and the GOP primary to replace him features U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, U.S. Rep. John Rose and state Rep. Monty Fritts. Blackburn, who won a second Senate term in 2024, has launched a gubernatorial campaign for 2025 and leads in fundraising, while Rose has contributed roughly $13 million to his own campaign.

The primary also covers the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican Bill Hagerty. In the congressional arena, new Republican‑drawn maps have reshaped districts, splitting Memphis into three Republican‑leaning districts and creating a new District 5 that stretches across 17 west‑ and middle‑Tennessee counties. Incumbent Republican Rep. Andy Ogles, who represents the reconfigured District 5, faces a primary challenge from former Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher, who is backed by former Gov. Bill Haslam. The redistricting also affects District 7 and other local races, making the Thursday vote a pivotal moment for Tennessee’s political landscape.