When the Tennessee Press Association and Middle Tennessee State University rolled out chairs for a gubernatorial forum on a Tuesday night in Murfreesboro, three candidates occupied the stage. But the loudest statement of the evening came from the empty chair left by the Republican nominee, setting off a sharp split in campaign strategies as voters prepare for the state’s first gubernatorial election in eight years.
Democratic nominee Jerri Green and independent candidates David Hatley and Lauren Pinkston participated in the university-hosted debate, according to reporting from WSMV4. While her opponents fielded questions inside the academic hall, Republican nominee Marsha Blackburn held a campaign rally in Hendersonville.
The Debate Stage in Murfreesboro
For voters tuning into the Murfreesboro forum, the presence of Green, Hatley, and Pinkston offered a direct look at three of the candidates vying to succeed the outgoing governor. The Tennessee Press Association and Middle Tennessee State University designed the event to give the public a side-by-side comparison of the contenders ahead of the fall matchup.
Green, Hatley, and Pinkston had all confirmed their attendance well in advance. Their appearance marked one of the few opportunities for voters to evaluate multiple candidates sharing the same physical platform.
Blackburn Gathers Supporters for Hendersonville Rally
As the debate unfolded in Murfreesboro, Blackburn gathered supporters in Hendersonville to rally for her and other Republicans on the ballot in Tennessee. The event featured appearances from state Rep. William Lamberth, Matt Van Epps, Glenn Jacobs, Johnny Garrett, and Enes Kanter Freedom.
Rather than squaring off with her opponents on a debate stage, Blackburn chose a format that allowed her to address a room full of supporters directly. Following the speeches, she took questions from the gathered media outlets regarding her absence from the university forum.
“We have met people where they are. We have had dozens of meetings with people all across the state. We have knocked on a million doors. We have done tens of thousands of phone calls, and as you can see, we had a room-full here tonight,” Blackburn told reporters.
Campaign Prioritizes Direct Voter Contact Across Tennessee
While Green pushed for a series of debates to test the candidates head-to-head, Blackburn’s campaign has prioritized direct voter contact through rallies, phone banks, and door-to-door outreach across Tennessee.
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026, when Tennessee voters will officially select their next governor.
