Rose Leads in Campaign Cash as Tennessee Governor’s Race Heats Up
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send you a password reset link.
Rose Leads in Campaign Cash as
Tennessee Governor’s Race Heats Up
Cookeville, – Congressman John Rose (TN-6), a Republican candidate for Governor, is “geared up for victory” after
Photo caption: John Rose speaks with voters during a visit to the Chattanooga Civitan Club January 16, 2026.
announcing his campaign’s total receipts at $6,456,005. That is $1,101,624 ahead of his closest primary opponent. The Rose for Governor campaign also leads in cash on hand with $4,712,735, despite being the only candidate to run a statewide television and mail campaign.
Most notably, 92% of contributions to the Rose for Governor campaign came from Tennesseans while only 22% of contributions to Republican candidate Marsha Blackburn came from the Volunteer State.
“I’m proud to say that everyday Tennesseans from all 95 counties have donated to this campaign,” said Congressman Rose. “We’re seizing the momentum and we’re geared up for victory with grassroots support, a plan for Tennessee, and the resources it takes to win.”
Rose was the first Republican candidate to enter the race in March 2025, giving him a five month headstart, which has proved valuable. He has become known as a grassroots candidate, visiting small town city squares, livestock arenas, veterans halls, and community gatherings in every county to build a coalition of support around his mission to protect what makes Tennessee special and grow the state without losing its unique character.
Rose has a deep well of rural and suburban support, a place where many candidates often struggle to gain the traction it takes to win statewide. That’s thanks to his background as state Commissioner of Agriculture, Chairman of the Tennessee State Fair Association, and Chairman of the Tennessee Future Farmers of America Foundation.
With his rural background and record as a successful entrepreneur of two Nashville-based IT training companies, Rose’s stump speech offers something for Tennesseans from every zip code.
As the campaign enters the final six months, it will take resources and facetime with voters to deliver a win. The Republican primary election will be held August 6, 2026 with early voting starting July 17.