Tennessee gubernatorial candidates Lauren Pinkston, David Hatley, and Jerri Green participated in a forum hosted by the Tennessee Press Association at Middle Tennessee State University on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026. The event, held a week before the Nov. 3 midterm election, focused on solutions to voters’ concerns including affordability, Tennessee vouchers, healthcare, and rural hospitals. Republican nominee and U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn did not attend the forum.
Following the forum, Pinkston and Green answered press questions, while Hatley declined the invitation. Green criticized Blackburn for not attending, stating, “She won’t even take your questions. If you can’t answer your questions, you don’t have the answers. That’s why she wouldn’t be on this debate stage with me tonight.” Hatley also criticized Blackburn, saying, “She’s been in Washington for over 20 years, but didn’t think it was important to show up to a job interview for the highest job in the state of Tennessee.”
Green warned that Tennesseans would face “facism” if she was not elected, stating, “We are the front lines of fascism, and I’m not extracting.” She also said Tennesseans need someone who will push back against policies that could threaten American democracy.
Pinkston believes Tennesseans are ready for an independent governor, stating, “I believe Tennessee has what it takes to set the tone for the rest of the country to show them what it looks like to actually move out of the two-party system and into something new and modern.”
