Elected Office · State
Governor of Tennessee
- Level
- State
- Area represented
- Statewide
- Term length
- 4 years
- Term limits
- No more than two terms consecutively, including election to a partial term (TN Const. Art. III §4)
- Election cycle
- Every 4 years
The Governor runs the executive branch of Tennessee state government — the departments that handle education, health, transportation, corrections, and more. It is the most powerful single office in Tennessee.
Main responsibilities
- Signs or vetoes state legislation
- Proposes the state budget
- Oversees state departments and agencies
- Appoints commissioners and members of state boards
- Fills certain judicial vacancies
- Commands the state National Guard
- Directs the state's emergency response
- Grants pardons and commutations
- Can call the legislature into special session
What this office cannot do alone
- Cannot pass a law. Only the Tennessee General Assembly can. The Governor can propose, push, and sign — but the legislature writes the law.
- Cannot spend money. Only the legislature can appropriate funds.
- Cannot raise or lower your taxes alone. The legislature levies taxes.
- Cannot redraw district maps. The legislature does that; the Governor signs.
Who this office works with
- Tennessee General Assembly
- State department commissioners
- County and municipal governments
- The courts
Questions voters should ask
- Which of your priorities require the legislature to act, and which can you do by executive action?
- How would you fund this, given that you cannot appropriate money?
- Which state departments would you change, and who would you appoint to run them?
On the 2026 ballot
Upcoming election: Tennessee State and Federal General — November 3, 2026
Candidates for the November 3, 2026 general election will be published here as they are verified against the official ballot.