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By J. Holly McCall | Editor-in-Chief

Good morning and TGIF, Lookout readers:

There are 25 days until the midterm election and the heat is on in Tennessee campaigns as Republican and Democratic power brokers descend on the Volunteer State.

While the Cook Political Report, a nonpartisan, independent news site that analyzes federal and state races, rates all of Tennessee’s congressional races as “Solid Republican,” national Democrats — who rarely venture into Tennessee — are banking on a blue wave to flip seats here and boost U.S. House gains.

Adam Friedman leads off this morning with a report on how two Democratic governors, thought to be likely contenders for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination — including JB Pritzker, the billionaire governor of Illinois — are backing Tennessee Democratic congressional candidates.

In other news:

  • Shooting in Nashville. A man was shot and killed by a security officer in the Fred D. Thompson Federal Courthouse in downtown Nashville Thursday morning after he attempted to fire a pistol and, on the gun jamming, brandished a knife at security staff. Julianne Akers from the Nashville Scene reports.

  • Camo wars! The wearing of camouflage has sparked a debate in the 7th Congressional District about who has any business wearing it. The spat began when incumbent U.S. Rep. Matt Van Epps, a Republican, criticized Democratic opponent Darden Copeland for having multiple yard sign designs, one of which is camo.

  • Copeland leveraged the camo controversy for social media and then Rep. Jody Barrett, a Dickson Republican who lost to Van Epps in a 2025 special election made light of the issue, saying on Facebook “some candidates are in a snit about who has exclusive rights to use of country couture in their campaign.”

  • Van Epps is likely counting on a boost from President Donald Trump’s visit to Clarksville on Saturday, Trump’s second to Tennessee in as many weeks. And the Lookout will be there as well, covering the event.

  • Speaking of debate: The Tennessee Press Association will hold a gubernatorial debate on Tuesday, Oct. 27, at Middle Tennessee State University to be live-streamed statewide. Democratic nominee Jerri Green and independent candidates David Hatley and Lauren Pinkston have confirmed attendance. Republican nominee, U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, has not.

THE LOOKOUT’S TOP STORY

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is funding a PAC that is boosting the Democratic candidate in Tennessee’s 9th U.S. Congressional district. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Out-of-state Dem Govs with 2028 ambitions are working to boost TN U.S. House candidates

by Adam Friedman

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s political action committee, PAC, Ready for the Fight, has purchased around $1.6 million in television advertisements in Nashville and Memphis over the next four weeks.

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NEWS AND NOTES
FEATURED IN THE LOOKOUT

The Tennessee Trucking Association is encouraging members to wait for clarity from the federal and state governments on whether they can use tax-free dyed diesel on roadways. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

by Cassandra Stephenson

The Tennessee Trucking Association and some Tennessee fuel providers are cautioning diesel-powered vehicle drivers to wait for clarity before using dyed diesel meant for off-road vehicles on public roads after recently announced respites from tax enforcement.

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FEATURED IN THE LOOKOUT

The remnants of Hurricane Isaias is expected to bring periods of heavy rain and wind gusts to Tennessee between Oct. 9 and Oct. 11, 2026. (Courtesy of the National Weather Service)

by Cassandra Stephenson

Hurricane Isaias is expected to bring periods of heavy rain and wind gusts to Tennessee this weekend, according to the National Weather Service, with flood watches across the state.

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