By J. Holly McCall | Editor-in-Chief
Good morning, Lookout readers:
With the midterm election still 41 days away, U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, the Republican candidate for governor, is flexing her muscle as though she were already elected.
Sam Stockard reports today a Blackburn lawyer has dropped a public records request to the Tennessee Board of Election Finance after first implying he would take the state agency to court.
The legal eagle had fired off a request for all communications regarding the potential reappointments to the board of two members, one Republican, one Democrat. Agency Executive Director Bill Young told the Lookout the attorney, Brandon Smith, said he would “not hesitate to pursue all available remedies.”
In other gubernatorial news:
The hottest ticket in town, part two. In the quest to hold a debate with Blackburn, independent gubernatorial candidate David Hatley made a bold offer on Tuesday: $1 million dollars each to three charities if Blackburn would step on a stage and talk issues with him.
Not to be outdone . . . Democratic candidate Jerri Green, a lawyer by trade and not afraid of a fight, posted on social media that once Hatley writes the checks, she will be “happy to embarrass him and Marsha.”
Drop out wars: Allie Feinberg with the Knoxville News Sentinel reports Green asked independent candidate Lauren Pinkston to drop out of the race. At a Brentwood meet and greet several weeks ago, Pinkston told the crowd she thought Green should drop out.
THE LOOKOUT’S TOP STORY
An attorney for Republican gubernatorial candidate U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, pictured here at a Memphis event with President Donald Trump in March 2026, threatened to sue the Tennessee Board of Campaign Finance over a public records request but dropped the demand one day later. (Photo: John Partipilo)
by Sam Stockard
Days after threatening to take Tennessee’s Registry of Election Finance to court over a public records request, gubernatorial candidate U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn dropped the demand for communications dealing with board reappointments.
NEWS AND NOTES
‘Drive them into hell’: Trump ponders destruction of Iran at United Nations | Ashley Murray, States Newsroom
Diesel prices shoot upward as top farm-state GOP senator begs Trump for export embargo| Ashley Murray, States Newsroom
FEATURED IN THE LOOKOUT
Speaker Maria Oceja founder of Vecindarios 901, a Memphis-based grassroots organization, speaks at a press conference held by the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition Tuesday before a hearing in federal court over the organization’s lawsuit seeking to stop the Tennessee Highway Patrol from conducting joint traffic stops with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. From left, Alejandra Hodge TIRRC Board Member, Viridiana Marin, Bill Friskics-Warren of Music City Migra Watch, Rev. Travis Meier and immigration advocate Ashley Warbington. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)
by Anita Wadhwani
Immigrant advocates went to federal court Tuesday seeking an immediate order blocking the Tennessee Highway Patrol from conducting traffic stops in tandem with federal immigration agents.
FEATURED IN THE LOOKOUT
Wilson County saw the fastest growth of "early-career" residents out of any Tennessee county from 2020 through 2025, according to a report released by the Tennessee State Data Center on Sept. 21, 2026. (Photo: Wilson County Facebook)
by Cassandra Stephenson
Counties near Tennessee’s biggest cities saw the fastest growth rates for “early-career” adults ages 25 to 44 since 2020, according to a report released by the Tennessee State Data Center Monday.
COMMENTARY
Pictured, a debate between 2022 Democratic gubernatorial candidates. No debates or forums have been scheduled in the 2026 gubernatorial race. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)
by Rev. Earle Fisher
Tennesseans are preparing to elect a governor and members of Congress this November, but before Election Day arrives, news organizations need to answer a question of their own: When one candidate refuses to debate, why should the voters lose the forum?
ICYMI
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