Republican U.S. Representative John Rose announced on Thursday that he is running for Tennessee governor in 2026, positioning himself for a potential showdown with U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn, who also appears to be eyeing the race.
Rose is the first prominent candidate to join the contest to succeed term-limited Republican Governor Bill Lee. For several weeks, Rose had been informing various Republican groups throughout the state of his intention to run. Although Blackburn has not officially launched her campaign, her strong political background as a two-time statewide elected official and ally of President Donald Trump has deterred some potential challengers, but Rose is undeterred.
“I’m a conservative outsider, a small business owner, and a farmer from Tennessee,” Rose, who hails from Cookeville, stated to reporters. “I believe that when I share my experience and preparation with the people, it will make a compelling case. Others will also make their cases, and we’ll let the people of Tennessee decide.”
Surrounded by tractors and supporters outside an agricultural center, Rose outlined several key promises during his campaign launch on Thursday. He stated that he would work to expand and widen interstates and highways, ensure that every Tennessean has access to emergency medical care within 30 minutes, and appoint a teacher as education commissioner. Rose also committed to supporting anti-abortion initiatives, protecting gun rights, increasing mental health resources, and promoting the expansion of nuclear power.
Rose, a former state agriculture commissioner and attorney, has sufficient personal wealth to finance his campaign. Currently serving his fourth term in the House, he represents a predominantly Republican district that covers 19 counties, including many conservative rural areas and a portion of Democratic-leaning Nashville.
Since his election to Congress in 2019, Rose has positioned himself as “one of the most conservative members.” He has voted against foreign aid to Ukraine, opposed the certification of the 2020 election results, and later voted to overturn the election.
Both Blackburn and Rose have expressed strong support for Trump in Tennessee, a state that has overwhelmingly voted for him in the past three presidential elections. Trump endorsed Blackburn in both her 2018 and 2024 Senate campaigns, where she faced minimal opposition from other Republicans. He also supported Rose in his Congressional race.
In a statement on Thursday, Blackburn declared herself to be the strongest conservative candidate, praising Trump for leading America into a “Golden Age.”
“This is our time to show what conservative leadership can accomplish, as power over education, regulations, healthcare, and benefits returns to the states,” Blackburn stated.
Tennessee has remained a conservative stronghold, with Lee defeating his Democratic opponent in 2022 by 32 percentage points, and Trump winning the state in 2024 by nearly 30 points.
Four other candidates have begun fundraising for possible gubernatorial runs: Republicans Cito Pellegra, Democrat Tim Cyr, and independents Stephen Cortney Maxwell and Manasa Reddy.
Since Blackburn was reelected last year, her Senate seat is secure regardless of her gubernatorial bid. However, if she wins the governor’s race, a Senate seat would open, and she could potentially appoint a temporary replacement. Rose’s Congressional seat is expected to be up for grabs in the upcoming election as well.
Rose is the owner and president of Boson Software LLC, an IT training company. He also previously served as chairman of the Tennessee State Fair Association. According to a 2023 congressional financial disclosure, his net worth ranges from $24 million to $106 million.
Last year, he briefly went viral when one of his sons made funny faces and gestures on camera while Rose was delivering a speech criticizing Trump’s felony conviction in New York.