Live results: Justin Pearson will win Democratic primary in Tennessee’s redrawn 9th District, CNN projects
By David Wright, Katie Doran, CNN
(CNN) — State Rep. Justin Pearson will win the Democratic nomination for Tennessee’s newly redrawn 9th District, CNN’s Decision Desk projects.
Thursday’s primaries will set the general election matchup in a race for governor in the deep-red state as well as House races being run under a new Republican-drawn congressional map aimed at delivering the GOP a clean sweep of the state’s nine districts in November.
The GOP primary for governor features the state’s senior senator, Marsha Blackburn, four-term US Rep. John Rose and state Rep. Monty Fritts — a race where President Donald Trump stayed on the sidelines. The winner of the Republican contest will be a heavy favorite in November given the state’s strong conservative lean.
Republican lawmakers pushed through a new congressional map earlier this year that split the current Memphis-based 9th District into three separate districts that favor the GOP. The move prompted US Rep. Steve Cohen, who has held the seat for nearly 20 years, to announce he would not seek reelection.
In the 5th District, Trump-backed US Rep. Andy Ogles is facing a primary challenge from former Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher. Democrats are hoping a favorable national political environment along with a strong potential candidate in Chaz Molder, the mayor of Columbia, and a series of controversies swirling around Ogles could potentially put the seat in play.
See the results below:
A member of the ‘Tennessee Three’ faces stiff odds in redrawn district
The 9th District race serves as a case study in mid-decade redistricting and how quickly it can transform electoral dynamics.
As part of a national wave of partisan redistricting kicked off by Texas Republicans last summer, GOP state lawmakers approved a new congressional map in May, breaking up the Black-majority district centered on Memphis, the state’s lone Democratic seat, to favor Republicans. The incumbent, veteran Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen, decided to retire rather than seek reelection.
Pearson, who defeated state Sen. London Lamar in the primary, gained national prominence in 2023 as part of the “Tennessee Three” whom Republican legislators sought to expel from the chamber following their participation in a gun control protest. Pearson was expelled but ultimately reinstated.
He now advances to a general election facing stiff odds in the new 9th District, as Democrats hope to overcome the transformed political landscape.
Blackburn defeats Rose
Sen. Marsha Blackburn will win the Tennessee Republican gubernatorial primary, CNN’s Decision Desk projects, positioning her to become the first female governor of the reliably red state.
Blackburn, who has represented Tennessee in the state legislature and US Congress since the 1990s, defeated Rep. John Rose. She entered the race as a heavy favorite to succeed GOP Gov. Bill Lee, who is term-limited, but she faced unexpected pressure in its home stretch.
With President Donald Trump declining to endorse in the race, Blackburn touted her support for his agenda. She took flak from Rose, however, over her vote to certify former President Joe Biden’s 2020 electoral victory and her refusal to debate.
Despite the headwinds, Blackburn prevailed and looks set to add to her lengthy resume in Tennessee politics, advancing to a general election where she’s favored to hold the governor’s office for Republicans.
Democrats select a nominee for governor
Memphis City Councilmember Jerri Green will win Tennessee’s Democratic primary for governor, CNN’s Decision Desk projects.
Green campaigned on ending Tennessee’s grocery tax, increasing funding for public schools and eliminating medical debt for thousands of people.
She began her career as a juvenile public defender and currently serves as Shelby County’s interim chief public defender, a role she took on at the start of 2026. On public safety, Green has emphasized a rehabilitative approach to justice and the importance of ensuring fair courtroom representation.
Seen as the front-runner throughout the primary, Green defeated activist Carnita Atwater and pastor Kevin Lee McCants to secure the party nomination.
In Tennessee, a state that President Donald Trump won by almost 30 points in 2024, Green will likely face a steep uphill battle in her bid to succeed term-limited GOP Gov. Bill Lee.
The-CNN-Wire
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This headline and story have been updated with additional projections.
