Tennessee
2026.
Compare where Tennessee's 2026 candidates stand on the issues that shape kids' futures — early childhood education, child hunger, and parental support. Find upcoming forums, debates, and town halls so you can meet and hear from candidates directly before you vote.
Aug 6
Nov 3
The Issues That Shape TN Kids' Futures
Vote4Kids focuses on three areas that determine how Tennessee children grow up. Each is shaped by federal and state policy — making the 2026 ballot a direct lever for change.
Early Childhood Education
Children who attend high-quality pre-K enter kindergarten with stronger literacy, language, and social-emotional skills — gains that persist for years. But access in Tennessee is uneven.
Child Hunger
Hungry kids can't learn — and food insecurity in childhood predicts worse health, education, and economic outcomes through adulthood. Federal nutrition programs are the largest defense.
Parental Support
Affordable childcare and time off to bond with a new child are basic supports that let parents work. The U.S. is one of the only wealthy nations without paid family leave.
Governor
For the first time since 2018, Tennessee will elect a new governor. Bill Lee is term-limited, drawing a competitive Republican primary and giving Democrats their first open-seat shot in eight years.
View Governor candidates →
U.S. Senate
Senator Bill Hagerty is unopposed in his Republican primary and enters the general election with a strong fundraising lead. Tennessee has not elected a Democrat to the U.S. Senate since 1990.
View Senate candidates →
U.S. House
All nine Tennessee congressional seats are on the ballot. The most competitive race is TN-5 (Nashville-area), where the DCCC is targeting incumbent Andy Ogles. The TN-6 seat is open following John Rose's gubernatorial run, and TN-9 features a high-profile Democratic primary. ⚠ Redistricting alert (May 2026): Gov. Bill Lee called a special legislative session beginning May 5, 2026 to redraw Tennessee's congressional map following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling weakening the Voting Rights Act. The proposed maps would eliminate TN-9 — the state's only Democratic-held House seat — by splitting it into surrounding Republican districts. The effort was publicly advocated by Sen. Blackburn and encouraged by President Trump. Legal challenges are expected.
Compare Candidates
Pick a race below to see its candidates, then select up to 4 to compare side-by-side on early childhood education, child hunger, and parental support. Selections carry over when you switch races, so you can compare candidates from different races (e.g. Governor vs. a House district).
Local Elections
Local races added by reader request after editorial review. Have a race we should cover? Suggest one below.
Knox County Mayor
R Primary May 5 · General Aug 6Open seat — Mayor Glenn Jacobs (R) is term-limited. Three Republicans compete in the May 5 primary; Democrat Beau Hawk is unopposed and advances to the August 6 general. Knox County has not elected a Democratic mayor since 2002.
View Knox Co. Mayor candidates →
Forums & Events
Debates, candidate forums, and town halls across Tennessee. Tentative listings reflect events expected based on the election calendar; confirm details with the host before attending.
Suggest an Election
Have a race we should cover? Tell us about it. Submissions are reviewed by the editor and added to the Local Elections section if a fit. Mayors, county commissions, school boards, sheriffs, judges — all welcome.