Tennessee U.S. Representative John Rose (R-TN-06) officially launched his bid for Tennessee governor on Thursday.
Rose made the announcement during an event at the Wilson County Tennessee State Fairgrounds.
“Today, as the grateful descendent of fearless Tennessee pioneers and as an eighth generation Tennessee farmer, I humbly announce my candidacy for Governor of the State of Tennessee,” Rose said.
Today, as the grateful descendent of fearless Tennessee pioneers and as an eighth generation Tennessee farmer, I humbly announce my candidacy for Governor of the State of Tennessee.
Come join me: https://t.co/q02hpM6bHz pic.twitter.com/jqQGyLrPMp
— John Rose (@JohnRoseforTN) March 20, 2025
Rose detailed six areas of reform in the state he plans to focus on during his campaign and if he were to become governor, including appointing a current or former Tennessee teacher as Commissioner of Education; expanding and improving state roadways; making healthcare and mental healthcare accessible for all Tennesseans; advancing the state’s energy production; preserving Second Amendment rights and enact Constitutional Carry; and protecting unborn life, serving vulnerable children, and making adoption easier.
“When discussing possible solutions to our present challenges, I remain committed to doing things the Tennessee way – putting high value on the continuation of our rich heritage and placing emphasis on our limitless Tennessee future,” Rose said.
“Washington D.C.’s values are not our values. We are fiercely independent and we plan to keep it that way,” Rose added.
Upon launching his bid for governor, Rose said his campaign has since received $5 million in donations.
Rose is the first Republican or Democrat to declare a bid for governor.
Last month, Tennessee U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) publicly confirmed she was “strongly considering” launching a bid for Tennessee governor in 2026 and, at the time, explained that her interest in launching a gubernatorial campaign stems from the promises made by President Donald Trump to return power from the federal government back to individual states.
Blackburn’s potential bid for governor has since been backed by the likes of Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs and U.S. Representative Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN-03).
If Blackburn were to launch a gubernatorial bid, polling released last month showed that she would be the overwhelming early favorite as the Republican Party’s nomination for governor next year.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
Photo “Jose Rose” by John Rose.
