Middle Tennessee Congressman John Rose defeated Senator Marsha Blackburn in the first straw poll of the contested Tennessee gubernatorial republican primary by a margin of 60.8% to 35.2% with write-in votes accounting for 4%. Blackburn received 62 votes; Rose 107; and 7 votes were write in votes. The poll was held at the sold-out Lawrence County Republican Reagan Dinner in Loretto and was overseen by the chairman of the Lawrence County Election Board of Commissioners using an electronic voting machine.
Attendees were also asked whether or not they supported closed political primaries. 135 out of 169 votes said “yes”. As to whether Tennessee’s revenue collections in recent years justified a reduction in the state sales tax the attendees voted overwhelmingly yes, 133 out of 164 votes cast.
Officials tell the TriStar Daily that about 310 people attended the event. Only ticket holders over 18 were allowed to vote. Organizers say that about 75 did not cast votes due to long lines and there being only one voting machine available.
The win is a notable early bellwether in the Governor’s race. Lawrence County has been represented by Marsha Blackburn for more than 14 years, first as a U.S. House member and now as a U.S. Senator.
“I am honored to have won this straw poll and it shows what I have seen all across our state. Republicans are looking for a principled conservative with executive experience who can defend our Tennessee values,” said Republican gubernatorial candidate John Rose.
Since launching his campaign for Governor on March 20, John Rose has reported over $6.1 million through June 30, the largest campaign war chest for a Tennessee gubernatorial candidate at this point in the race. The campaign received support from every corner of the state, with donations from Tennesseans in all 95 counties. That broad base of early support is part of Rose’s strategy for victory in the August 2026 primary.
Rose announced his candidacy for Governor on March 20, 2025, at the site of the Tennessee State Fair in Wilson County. Blackburn announced earlier this month.
