Despite claims that she has an insurmountable lead in the Governor’s race, Marsha Blackburn has gone negative against John Rose. One of her affiliated PACs, Tennessee Freedom Fund, just purchased TV time in Memphis, Jackson, and Nashville, blaming Rose for China purchasing land in Tennessee. Typically, candidates with large leads don’t engage in negative ad campaigns, which may give creedence to the Rose campaign’s claims that they are gaining momentum and closing the gap with Blackburn.
The ad states:
“China has their sights set on buying up Tennessee farmland, but under Congressman John Rose’s watch, China purchased our land, hundreds of acres, and in response to concerns, Rose brushed them off. I wouldn’t say I’m gravely concerned about that. Now John Rose is changing his tune and calling to kick China out, but it’s his fault they’re still here. Don’t believe his lies. John Rose let China stay, so he’s got to go.”
The ad is funded by the Tennessee Freedom Fund PAC, which is a conservative political action committee tied to the Club for Growth and directed by David McIntosh. In the 2026 election cycle, the PAC has focused on backing Senator Marsha Blackburn’s gubernatorial bid, airing political ads, and previously supporting pro-private school voucher candidates across the state.
The Tennessee Freedom Fund allied super PAC, the School Freedom Fund, spent millions attacking Republican legislators and successfully ousted a few who had opposed Governor Bill Lee‘s private school voucher program. The national PAC receives substantial funding from New York billionaire Jeff Yass, who has also directly donated to state-level PACs backing voucher programs like the one adopted and expanded in Tennessee.
The Tennessee Freedom Fund PAC previously ran a pro- Blackburn ad that created controversy by falsely implying that President Trump had endorsed her. He has not.
Rose campaign chair Chris Devaney quickly responded to the new ad:
“You can throw Marsha’s inevitability narrative out the window. She and her DC buddies are clearly desperate to stop the momentum of John Rose’s campaign. This ad is just silliness. John is farm owner himself and was the first to call for a ban on Chinese land ownership. Clearly, Marsha is worried and is trying to distract voters from her record of carryingx itch McConnell’s water in the Senate, rather than supporting President Trump’s America First agenda.”
Tennessee law already effectively restricts individuals and entities from China and other sanctioned nations from purchasing or leasing land in the state. Non-U.S. citizens and entities from countries sanctioned by the U.S. government—including China, Iran, and North Korea— are legally banned from purchasing or acquiring agricultural and non-agricultural real estate.
Additionally, prohibited foreign parties who already unlawfully own land in Tennessee are required to sell or divest their interests. The legislature expanded the list of prohibited parties this year.
The Tennessee law restricting certain foreign ownership, including the Chinese government and those affiliated with it, is being challenged in court.
Steve Gill is editor and Publisher of TriStar Daily.
