Jerri Green won the Tennessee Democratic primary for governor on August 6, 2026, capturing nearly 70% of the vote in a decisive victory that advances her to the November general election in a state that hasn’t elected a Democratic governor in two decades.
Green, a Memphis City Council member, received 60,651 votes, or 69.1% of the Democratic primary vote, according to the Associated Press, which called the race at 12:31 a.m. on August 7. She defeated four other Democratic candidates, including Carnita Atwater, who finished second with 17.3% of the vote.
Green has served on the Memphis City Council since January 2024, representing District 2. Before her council election, she ran for the Tennessee House of Representatives in 2020. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee and a law degree from Georgetown University Law School, and currently serves as interim Shelby County Public Defender.
Her path to the general election comes as Tennessee holds its first open gubernatorial race since 2018, with Republican incumbent Bill Lee term-limited. Tennessee voters picked primary nominees for governor and Congress on August 6, with U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn winning the Republican primary with 42.8% of the vote, positioning herself as the front-runner in the November matchup.
Tennessee has not elected a Democratic governor since 2006, making Green’s general election campaign an uphill battle in a state that has trended increasingly Republican in statewide races. The general election is scheduled for November 3, 2026.
Green’s primary victory reflects strong support in the Memphis area, where she has built a political base. Her campaign centered on issues including education, healthcare access, and economic development. Bill Lee backed Hatcher against Trump-endorsed Ogles in the Tennessee primary, highlighting the complex political dynamics within the state’s Republican Party during the gubernatorial cycle.
Sources
- WJHL — Confirmed Jerri Green’s primary victory with 69.1% of the vote (60,651 votes) and the AP race call at 12:31 a.m. on August 7, 2026
- Tennessee Lookout — Provided biographical information on Green, including her role as Memphis City Council member since 2023, her education from University of Tennessee and Georgetown University Law School, and her position as interim Shelby County Public Defender
- Ballotpedia — Confirmed Green’s 2020 Tennessee House campaign and her Memphis City Council election in November 2023
- PBS News — Stated that Tennessee has not elected a Democratic governor in 20 years and provided context on the 2026 gubernatorial race
