A new poll released by the Nashville-based Beacon Center of Tennessee shows U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) continuing to dominate the Republican field in the upcoming 2026 gubernatorial primary, expanding her already significant lead.
The latest Beacon Poll finds Blackburn now earning 63 percent support among Republican primary voters, up from 56 percent in January. Her nearest competitor, U.S. Representative John Rose (R-TN-06), garners 10 percent, while Tennessee State Representative Monty Fritts (R-Kingston) trails with 5 percent. Just 22 percent of voters remain undecided.
“With Senator Blackburn at 63% and only 22% of Republican primary voters still undecided, the race is nearly settled on the Republican side, barring a massive shakeup. Even if every undecided voter broke for one of her opponents, she would still come out on top by 30 points,” Beacon’s Senior Fellow for Public Opinion Mark Cunningham said.
On the Democratic side, the race remains largely unsettled. A majority of voters (62 percent) say they are unsure whom they support. Among declared candidates, Memphis City Council Member Jerri Green leads with 14 percent, followed by Kevin Lee McCants at 11 percent and Carnita Atwater at 8 percent.
In a hypothetical general election matchup, Blackburn holds a sizable advantage over Green, leading by 24 percentage points.
The poll also asked respondents about the job performance of Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, whose approval rating has improved since the previous Beacon Poll. According to the survey, 55 percent of voters approve of Lee’s job performance, while 37 percent disapprove.
The poll further measured attitudes toward President Donald Trump, whose approval rating in Tennessee has declined to its lowest level since Beacon began tracking it in 2023, the group noted. According to the survey, 53 percent of voters approve of Trump’s job performance, while 45 percent disapprove.
On policy, the poll shows broad agreement among Tennesseans across several key issues. A strong majority of voters (84 percent) support requiring a valid photo ID before casting a ballot in state and local elections, while just 13 percent oppose the requirement.
The survey also finds that a slimmer majority of voters back the proposed federal SAVE Act, with 52 percent in support. Beacon notes that the SAVE Act appears to garner less support than voter ID requirements, likely because of its more detailed provisions.
Beacon’s poll also shows that economic concerns continue to weigh on voters, particularly regarding utility costs. A majority of respondents say utilities account for more than 10 percent of their monthly expenses, with 77 percent reporting increased costs over the past year and 61 percent describing those costs as burdensome.
In response to rising energy costs, voters show openness to expanding energy production.
A total of 54 percent support making it easier to permit and build new nuclear power plants, provided existing safety regulations remain in place. Additionally, 60 percent of Tennesseans express favorable views toward renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, indicating bipartisan support for a diversified energy approach.
View the full 2026 May Beacon Poll at: tennsight.com
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X.
Photo “Marsha Blackburn” by Marsha Blackburn.
