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By J. Holly McCall | Editor-in-Chief

Good morning, Lookout readers:

It’s time.

Early voting for the 2026 midterm primary election begins Friday, and confusion reigns, particularly among voters unsure about what congressional district they are in. Voters had barely accustomed themselves to a 2022 redistricting that shook up longtime districts before the Tennessee General Assembly held a May special legislative session — 12 weeks before the August 6 election — and shook the fruit basket again, leaving people wondering not who’s on first, but who’s in the 5th — or the 7th, or the 9th congressional districts.

We can, at least, help you figure out who is running in the congressional districts. Today, our guide to candidates running in all nine congressinal districts, the U.S. Senate race and the governor’s race is online. We’ve included important dates for early voting and voter registration and links to recent stories about candidates. Scroll down to check it out.

In other news:

  • Endorsement alert: The Chattanooga Times Free Press, one of the state’s largest newspapers, on Wednesday endorsed U.S. Rep. John Rose in the Republian gubernatorial primary.

  • Down on data centers: Also from the Chattanooga Times Free Press, Siena Duncan reports the Hamilton County Commission approved a one-year moratorium on new data centers.

  • Marsha, Marsha, Marsha. U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn is clearly confident she will win the GOP nomination for governor on August 6, having scheduled a fundraiser in Atlanta on August 26. Ticket prices start at $1,000 and end at $10,600 per person.

  • Ad watch: Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jerri Green is launching her first ad, a 30-second spot that shows her walking through a grocery store talking about costs of living.

THE LOOKOUT’S TOP STORY

The midterm primary election on August 6 features matchups in many of Tennessee’s congressional races and a hot GOP primary for governor. (Photo illustration by John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

2026 Tennessee primary election voter guide

by J. Holly McCall

On August 6, Tennessee voters will select the Democratic and Republican nominees for governor, one U.S. Senate seat and all nine of the state’s congressional districts, in addition to state house and half of the state Senate’s 33 seats. The winners will head to the November general election. We’ve got your guide to every candidate running for governor, U.S. Senate and and U.S. House in each of Tennessee’s nine congressional districts.

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NEWS AND NOTES
FEATURED IN THE LOOKOUT

 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin speaks to reporters following the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Infrastructure Summit on July 14, 2026 in Franklin, Tennessee. (Photo: Cassandra Stephenson)

by Cassie Stephenson

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin called New York’s recently announced statewide moratorium on data centers an “easy way to cop out” during an appearance at the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Infrastructure Summit Tuesday.

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COMMENTARY

Memphis Republican Sen. Brent Taylor holds a copy of an audit of Memphis-Shelby County Schools performed by the Tennessee Comptroller’s office. The legislature voted to create a state-controlled board to oversee the school system following the audit. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

Waste, fraud, abuse… and the politics of power

by Rev. Earle Fisher, Ph.D.

A recent forensic audit of Memphis-Shelby County Schools raised the issue of accountability for institutions and lawmakers — necessary, but often weaponized for the benefit of partisan objectives.

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