Green, Hatley, Pinkston to participate in Tennessee Press Association governor’s forum

The Tennessee Press Association announced Friday it will hold a gubernatorial debate on Oct. 27 with the Democratic nominee and two independents agreeing to participate. 

The Republican nominee U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn did not respond to the press association’s invite, according to a news release. Blackburn is considered the frontrunner as Tennessee has elected Republicans to statewide office in every election since 2010. 

The event, to be held at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, will likely be the only nonpartisan, fully public forum of the 2026 gubernatorial campaign. 

“Members of the press have a duty and public service to inform Tennesseans about government and public affairs, including elections,” said Dave Gould, publisher of Main Street Media and president of the Tennessee Press Association . “This is the first time in eight years Tennessee voters will elect a new governor and it’s important the public hear from the major candidates in an open forum.”

Democratic nominee Jerri Green and independent candidates David Hatley and Lauren Pinkston confirmed their participation, according to a press release.

In a statement, Green’s campaign said she “looks forward to a robust discussion on how we lower costs, strengthen our schools and make Tennessee government work for everyday people.

Blackburn, who has been in elected office since her election to the state Senate in 1998, has done no public forums throughout the campaign. She refused challenges from her opponents in the Republican primary, U.S. Rep. John Rose and state Rep. Monty Fritts, and in September told WDEF-TV in Chattanooga she would not debate Green, calling her a “socialist.”

She has not participated in a public forum or debate since her 2018 Senate campaign against former governor, Democrat Phil Bredesen.

The event, scheduled for 7pm CDT/8pm EDT, will be held in a studio setting and live streamed by a student-led video production team in the Department of Media Arts at MTSU’s Scott Borchetta College of Media and Entertainment. 

It will not be open to the public but will be live streamed by Tennessee Press Association member newspapers throughout the state.