2018 Tennessee gubernatorial election

For related races, see 2018 United States gubernatorial elections.
2018 Tennessee gubernatorial election
← 2014 November 6, 2018 2022 →
Turnout54.46% Increase[1] 20.49 pp
 
Nominee Bill Lee Karl Dean
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 1,336,106 864,863
Percentage 59.56% 38.55%
Lee:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Dean:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Tie:      40–50%      No data
Governor before election

Bill Haslam
Republican

Elected Governor

Bill Lee
Republican

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Government

The 2018 Tennessee gubernatorial election took place on November 6, 2018, to elect the next governor of Tennessee, alongside other state and local elections. Incumbent Republican governor Bill Haslam was term-limited, and is prohibited by the Constitution of Tennessee from seeking a third consecutive term. Republican candidate Bill Lee was elected with 59.6% of the vote, defeating Democratic nominee and former Nashville mayor Karl Dean.

The primary elections took place on August 2, 2018, with Republican Bill Lee and Democrat Karl Dean winning their respective party nominations.[2]

During the general election, Dean flipped back reliably Democratic Davidson, Haywood, and Shelby Counties, which voted for Republican governor Bill Haslam in 2010.

The results of the election marked the first time since 1982 that a candidate from the incumbent president's party was elected governor of Tennessee. This is also the first time that Republicans won three consecutive gubernatorial elections in the state, and the first time that a Republican was elected to succeed another Republican.

As of 2018, this election had the largest number of candidates (28) in a statewide election in United States history; the previous record was the 2016 United States presidential election in Colorado. This large surge in candidates was mostly due to the Libertarian Party of Tennessee's protest of the state's party affiliation and ballot access laws.[3]

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominated

Eliminated in primary

Withdrawn

Declined

Endorsements

Beth Harwell
Diane Black
Randy Boyd
Bill Lee
U.S. representatives
State-level Officials
Notable Individuals
Newspapers

Polling

Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size 		Margin
of error 		Diane
Black 		Randy
Boyd 		Beth
Harwell 		Bill
Lee 		Other Undecided
JMC Analytics July 18–21, 2018 500 ± 4.4% 19% 20% 16% 26% 1%[64] 17%
Emerson College Archived August 18, 2018, at the Wayback Machine July 11–14, 2018 266 ± 6.4% 27% 22% 14% 19% 3% 14%
Data Orbital Archived July 3, 2018, at the Wayback Machine June 27–30, 2018 700 ± 3.7% 24% 23% 10% 19% – 24%
Triton Polling & Research (R) June 25–28, 2018 1,040 ± 3.1% 27% 33% 7% 20% – 13%
OnMessage Inc. (R-Black) May 14–17, 2018 600 ± 4.0% 41% 28% 8% 9% – 15%
Grassroots Targeting (R-Black) May 4–6, 2018 800 – 41% 26% 6% 11% – 15%
OnMessage Inc. (R-Black) April 2018 – – 33% 30% 5% 13% – –
OnMessage Inc. (R-Black) March 2018 – – 31% 31% 10% 10% – –
TargetPoint/GQR March 7–14, 2018 390 ± 5.0% 25% 20% 6% 7% 2%[65] 37%
North Star Onion Research (R-Lee) February 5–11, 2018 600 ± 4.0% 22% 25% 4% 18% – 30%
Triton Polling & Research (R) December 12–18, 2017 1,028 ± 3.1% 22% 12% 6% 4% 4%[66] 53%

Results

Results by county:
  Lee
  •   20–30%
  •   30–40%
  •   40–50%
  •   50–60%
  Boyd
  •   30–40%
  •   40–50%
  •   50–60%
  Black
  •   20–30%
  •   30–40%
Republican primary results[67]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bill Lee 291,414 36.75
Republican Randy Boyd 193,054 24.35
Republican Diane Black 182,457 23.01
Republican Beth Harwell 121,484 15.32
Republican Kay White 3,215 0.41
Republican Basil Marceaux 1,264 0.16
Total votes 792,888 100.0

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominated

Eliminated in primary

Declined

Endorsements

Karl Dean
Federal officials
Labor unions
  • Memphis AFSCME Local 1733
  • Tennessee Pipe Trades; Mid-South Carpenters Regional Council
  • Road Sprinkler Fitters U.A. Local Union No. 66
  • Local Division of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Polling

Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size 		Margin
of error 		Karl
Dean 		Craig
Fitzhugh 		Other Undecided
Emerson College Archived August 18, 2018, at the Wayback Machine July 11–14, 2018 206 ± 7.3% 44% 14% 9% 33%
TargetPoint/GQR March 7–14, 2018 288 ± 5.8% 41% 11% – 44%

Results

Results by county:
  Dean
  •   40–50%
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%
  •   90-100%
  Fitzhugh
  •   40–50%
  •   50–60%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%
  •   90-100%
Democratic primary results[75]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Karl Dean 280,553 75.14
Democratic Craig Fitzhugh 72,553 23.42
Democratic Mezianne Vale Payne 20,284 5.44
Total votes 373,390 100.0

Independents

Candidates

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Libertarian Party and Green Party do not have ballot access. Appears on ballot as "Independent."[77]

General election

Debates

Endorsements

Bill Lee (R)
U.S. Executive Branch officials
U.S. senators
U.S. representatives
State-level Officials
Notable Individuals
Organizations
Newspapers
Karl Dean (D)
U.S. representatives
State officials
Local officials
Labor unions
  • Memphis AFSCME Local 1733
  • Tennessee Pipe Trades; Mid-South Carpenters Regional Council
  • Road Sprinkler Fitters U.A. Local Union No. 66
  • Local Division of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Predictions

Source Ranking As of
The Cook Political Report[94] Likely R October 26, 2018
The Washington Post[95] Likely R November 5, 2018
FiveThirtyEight[96] Safe R November 5, 2018
Rothenberg Political Report[97] Safe R November 1, 2018
Sabato's Crystal Ball[98] Safe R November 5, 2018
RealClearPolitics[99] Likely R November 4, 2018
Daily Kos[100] Safe R November 5, 2018
Fox News[101][a] Likely R November 5, 2018
Politico[102] Likely R November 5, 2018
Governing[103] Likely R November 5, 2018
Notes
  1. ^ The Fox News Midterm Power Rankings uniquely does not contain a category for Safe/Solid races

Polling

Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size 		Margin
of error 		Bill
Lee (R) 		Karl
Dean (D) 		Other Undecided
Targoz Market Research October 28–31, 2018 480 – 53% 44% – 2%
Emerson College October 28–30, 2018 621 ± 4.0% 54% 41% 2% 3%
Fox News October 27–30, 2018 718 LV ± 3.5% 54% 37% 2% 7%
850 RV ± 3.0% 52% 36% 2% 9%
Vox Populi Polling October 27–29, 2018 780 ± 3.5% 56% 44% – –
CNN/SSRS October 24–29, 2018 764 LV ± 4.3% 52% 42% 0% 4%
871 RV ± 4.0% 52% 41% 0% 5%
East Tennessee State University Archived November 5, 2018, at the Wayback Machine October 22–29, 2018 495 ± 4.4% 48% 36% 5% 9%
Cygnal (R) October 26–27, 2018 497 ± 4.4% 59% 36% 3% 2%
Marist College October 23–27, 2018 471 LV ± 5.7% 57% 40% 1% 3%
764 RV ± 4.4% 56% 39% 1% 4%
Vanderbilt University/SSRS October 8–13, 2018 800 ± 4.9% 48% 37% 0% 12%
Targoz Market Research October 9–12, 2018 558 LV – 56% 44% – –
801 RV – 49% 39% – 12%
NYT Upshot/Siena College October 8–11, 2018 593 ± 4.2% 59% 33% – 8%
Fox News September 29 – October 2, 2018 666 LV ± 3.5% 53% 36% 1% 10%
806 RV ± 3.5% 52% 35% 1% 10%
SurveyMonkey September 9–24, 2018 1,609 ± 3.3% 46% 35% – 19%
Vox Populi Polling September 16–18, 2018 567 ± 4.1% 55% 45% – –
CNN/SSRS September 11–15, 2018 723 LV ± 4.3% 52% 43% 0% 3%
852 RV ± 3.9% 49% 43% 0% 5%
Triton Polling & Research (R) September 10–12, 2018 1,038 ± 3.0% 54% 37% – 9%
Fox News September 8–11, 2018 686 LV ± 3.5% 55% 35% 1% 10%
809 RV ± 3.5% 52% 34% 2% 12%
Marist College August 25–28, 2018 538 LV ± 5.1% 53% 40% 1% 7%
730 RV ± 4.5% 51% 39% 1% 9%
Gravis Marketing August 9–11, 2018 620 ± 3.9% 51% 40% – 9%
Triton Polling & Research (R) January 21–24, 2018 1,003 ± 3.1% 38% 34% – 28%
Hypothetical polling
with Karl Dean
Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size 		Margin
of error 		Diane
Black (R) 		Karl
Dean (D) 		Undecided
Emerson College Archived August 18, 2018, at the Wayback Machine July 11–14, 2018 657 ± 4.1% 35% 39% 27%
Triton Polling & Research (R) January 21–24, 2018 1,003 ± 3.1% 46% 35% 19%
Gravis Marketing December 11–12, 2017 563 ± 4.1% 40% 31% 28%
Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size 		Margin
of error 		Randy
Boyd (R) 		Karl
Dean (D) 		Undecided
Emerson College Archived August 18, 2018, at the Wayback Machine July 11–14, 2018 657 ± 4.1% 34% 36% 30%
Triton Polling & Research (R) January 21–24, 2018 1,003 ± 3.1% 43% 34% 23%
Gravis Marketing December 11–12, 2017 563 ± 4.1% 38% 35% 28%
Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size 		Margin
of error 		Beth
Harwell (R) 		Karl
Dean (D) 		Undecided
Triton Polling & Research (R) January 21–24, 2018 1,003 ± 3.1% 43% 33% 25%
Gravis Marketing December 11–12, 2017 563 ± 4.1% 38% 33% 29%
with Craig Fitzhugh
Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size 		Margin
of error 		Diane
Black (R) 		Craig
Fitzhugh (D) 		Undecided
Gravis Marketing December 11–12, 2017 563 ± 4.1% 42% 27% 31%
Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size 		Margin
of error 		Randy
Boyd (R) 		Craig
Fitzhugh (D) 		Undecided
Gravis Marketing December 11–12, 2017 563 ± 4.1% 39% 30% 31%
Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size 		Margin
of error 		Beth
Harwell (R) 		Craig
Fitzhugh (D) 		Undecided
Gravis Marketing December 11–12, 2017 563 ± 4.1% 44% 24% 32%
Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size 		Margin
of error 		Mae
Beavers (R) 		Karl
Dean (D) 		Undecided
Triton Polling & Research (R) January 21–24, 2018 1,003 ± 3.1% 36% 36% 28%
Gravis Marketing December 11–12, 2017 563 ± 4.1% 32% 37% 32%
Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size 		Margin
of error 		Mae
Beavers (R) 		Craig
Fitzhugh (D) 		Undecided
Gravis Marketing December 11–12, 2017 563 ± 4.1% 36% 29% 34%

Results


2018 Tennessee gubernatorial election[104]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Bill Lee 1,336,106 59.56% −10.75%
Democratic Karl Dean 864,863 38.55% +15.71%
Other Other candidates 42,314 1.89% N/A
Write-in 11 0.00% 0.00%
Total votes 2,243,294 100.00% N/A
Republican hold
Full results
Tennessee gubernatorial election, 2018
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bill Lee 1,336,106 59.6
Democratic Karl Dean 864,863 38.6
Independent Sherry L. Clark 5,198 0.2
Independent Mark Wright 4,687 0.2
Independent Patrick Whitlock 3,631 0.2
Independent Yvonne Neubert 3,070 0.1
Independent Heather Scott 2,969 0.1
Independent Mark CoonRippy Brown 2,841 0.1
Independent Joe B. Wilmoth 2,444 0.1
Independent George Blackwell Smith IV 1,550 0.1
Independent Cory King 1,502 0.1
Independent Tracy C. Yaste Tisdale 1,396 0.1
Independent Justin Cornett 1,217 0.1
Independent Chad Riden 1,096 0.0
Independent Robert Sawyers Sr. 1,059 0.0
Independent Vinnie Vineyard 1,012 0.0
Independent Rick Tyler 981 0.0
Independent Gabriel Fancher 869 0.0
Independent Sean Bruce Fleming 814 0.0
Independent Alfred Shawn Rapoza 800 0.0
Independent Jessie D. McDonald 755 0.0
Independent Toney Randall Mitchell 739 0.0
Independent Mike Toews 726 0.0
Independent Matthew Koch 652 0.0
Independent Jeremy Allen Stephenson 613 0.0
Independent Tommy Ray McAnally 609 0.0
Independent Jaron D. Weidner 588 0.0
Independent William Andrew Helmstetter 496 0.0
Independent Eddie Murphy (write-in) 11 0.0
Total votes 2,243,294 100.0
Republican hold

Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic

By congressional district

Lee won 7 of 9 congressional districts.[105]

District Lee Dean Representative
1st 76.2% 22.7% Phil Roe
2nd 63.5% 35.4% Jimmy Duncan (115th Congress)
Tim Burchett (116th Congress)
3rd 64.0% 35.0% Chuck Fleischmann
4th 66.0% 33.0% Scott DesJarlais
5th 35.6% 59.3% Jim Cooper
6th 69.7% 29.3% Diane Black (115th Congress)
John Rose (116th Congress)
7th 65.4% 32.6% Marsha Blackburn (115th Congress)
Mark Green (116th Congress)
8th 66.5% 32.2% David Kustoff
9th 21.5% 74.9% Steve Cohen

See also

References

  1. ^ "Tennessee Voter Turnout in 2018". Tennessee Secretary of State. November 6, 2018. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
  2. ^ Almukhtar, Sarah (August 2, 2018). "Tennessee Primary Election Results". The New York Times.
  3. ^ "Tennessee Gubernatorial Election Has Greatest Number of Candidates for a Regularly-Scheduled Statewide Election in U.S. History - Ballot Access News". ballot-access.org. September 8, 2018.
  4. ^ "Republican Bill Lee announces run for governor of Tennessee". The Tennessean. Retrieved April 23, 2017.
  5. ^ Garrison, Joey (August 2, 2017). "Diane Black enters race for governor of Tennessee". The Tennessean. Retrieved August 2, 2017.
  6. ^ Reinke, Kelly (March 6, 2017). "Randy Boyd announces plans to run for Tennessee governor". WATE.com. Retrieved October 13, 2024.
  7. ^ "Beth Harwell enters 2018 governor's race touting experience and leadership". The Tennessean. Retrieved July 16, 2017.
  8. ^ a b Sher, Andy (April 6, 2018). "Well-known unconventional hopefuls running for Tennessee governor". Chattanooga Times Free Press. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  9. ^ "Kay White officially enters 2018 governor's race, makes announcement in Jonesborough". WATE 6 On Your Side. July 23, 2017. Retrieved November 12, 2017.
  10. ^ "Mae Beavers says she's running for governor of Tennessee". The Tennessean. Retrieved May 28, 2017.
  11. ^ "Tennessee 2018 General Election". www.thegreenpapers.com.
  12. ^ Humbles, Andy. "Wilson County 'engaged' in Aug. 2 election, deadline reveals numerous contested races". The Tennessean. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
  13. ^ "Sen. Mark Green will not re-enter 2018 governor's race". The Tennessean. Retrieved June 2, 2017.
  14. ^ "Lee Co.'s Bill Lee exploring Republican run for governor". The Tennessean. May 3, 2016. Retrieved May 24, 2016.
  15. ^ Ebert, Joel (June 6, 2017). "Marsha Blackburn won't challenge Sen. Corker, will seek re-election". The Tennessean. Retrieved June 6, 2017.
  16. ^ Whetstone, Tyler (May 8, 2017). "Tim Burchett will run for office, which one is anyone's guess". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved June 3, 2017.
  17. ^ Whetstone, Tyler (June 26, 2017). "Knox County Mayor Burchett rules out run for governor". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved July 21, 2017.
  18. ^ Whetstone, Tyler (August 2, 2017). "Tim Burchett to run for Congress". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved August 8, 2017.
  19. ^ Ebert, Joel (February 20, 2017). "Joe Carr leaves door open to possible 2018 gubernatorial bid". The Tennessean. Retrieved February 26, 2017.
  20. ^ a b c d e Ebert, Joel (June 14, 2017). "Tennessee's 2018 governor's race: Who's in, out, undecided". The Tennessean. Retrieved June 14, 2017.
  21. ^ a b c Emily Cahn (March 5, 2014). "Senate Control Could Decide Opportunities in Tennessee". Roll Call. Retrieved November 26, 2014.
  22. ^ "Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam Isn't Ruling Out Senate Run". WKMS. February 23, 2017. Retrieved February 24, 2017.
  23. ^ Houk, Robert (June 4, 2017). "Talking Trump with Tennessee's junior U.S. senator". Johnson City Press. Retrieved June 6, 2017.
  24. ^ a b Yusuf, Omer (August 14, 2017). "Stephen Fincher endorses Diane Black for governor". The Jackson Sun. Retrieved August 14, 2017.
  25. ^ "Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett won't seek governorship in '18". Times Free Press. November 22, 2014. Retrieved November 26, 2014.
  26. ^ Stockard, Sam (June 6, 2017). "Rob Mitchell considers run for governor". The Murfreesboro Post. Retrieved June 6, 2017.
  27. ^ "Rutherford County Property Assessor Rob Mitchell not running for Governor". WGNS. July 20, 2017. Retrieved July 21, 2017.
  28. ^ Ebert, Joel (January 11, 2017). "Mark Norris says he's moving toward gubernatorial bid". The Tennessean. Retrieved February 26, 2017.
  29. ^ "Trump nominates Senate Leader Mark Norris, three others as federal judges in Tennessee". The Tennessean. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  30. ^ "State of Tennessee: Maury County Republican Primary". Archived from the original on February 12, 2019. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
  31. ^ Erik Schelzig (November 9, 2014). "Possible Tennessee governor candidates for 2018". The Jackson Sun. Retrieved November 26, 2014.
  32. ^ a b "Roundup: TEA, TSEA endorse Fitzhugh, Harwell". May 23, 2018.
  33. ^ "2018 TPFFA Primary Election Candidate Endorsements".
  34. ^ Mike Pence. ".@DianeBlackTN is running for Governor of TN & a strong supporter of #MAGA agenda of tax cuts, military $$ & a champion of right to life policies. There are great candidates running but Diane has been my friend for years, we served together in the House, & she has my support!". Twitter.
  35. ^ Hayes, Hank (August 14, 2017). "Ramsey gets behind Black's gubernatorial bid". Kingsport Times-News. Retrieved August 14, 2017.
  36. ^ Diane Black. "Honored to receive the endorsement of @RickSantorum, a leader who is not afraid to fight for conservative values. Tennessee stood behind Rick in his 2012 race for President, and I'm proud to have him behind me in my race for Governor. #TeamBlack". Twitter.
  37. ^ Conradis, Brandon (June 10, 2018). "Scalise throws support behind Black, Blackburn ahead of Tennessee primary". Archived from the original on June 14, 2018.
  38. ^ "Jordan Sekulow endorses Diane Black for Governor". Diane Black for Governor. May 24, 2018. Archived from the original on July 15, 2018. Retrieved July 15, 2018.
  39. ^ Diane Black. "Honored to have the endorsement of Dr. Swain, and don't forget to vote early starting tomorrow!". Twitter.
  40. ^ "National Right to Life Endorses Diane Black for Governor". Diane Black for Governor. Archived from the original on July 15, 2018. Retrieved July 15, 2018.
  41. ^ "SBA List Endorses Pro-life Champion Diane Black for Governor of Tennessee". Susan B. Anthony List. April 11, 2018. Archived from the original on September 11, 2020.
  42. ^ "NRA Endorses Representative Diane Black for Governor". NRA. June 21, 2018. Archived from the original on July 15, 2018. The National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) today endorsed Rep. Diane Black for governor in the Tennessee Republican Primary Election.
  43. ^ "ACU Endorses Diane Black". ACU.[permanent dead link]
  44. ^ Students For Trump. "We fully endorse @DianeBlackTN to be the next Governor of Tennessee!". Twitter.
  45. ^ Sher, Andy (June 27, 2018). "Family Research Council endorses Diane Black bid for Tennessee governor". Chattanooga Times Free Press. Archived from the original on June 29, 2018.
  46. ^ Buie, Jordan (June 22, 2018). "Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee endorses Randy Boyd". The Tennessean.
  47. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u Whetstone, Tyler (July 31, 2017). "Randy Boyd announces 21 more county mayors endorse campaign". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved August 2, 2017.
  48. ^ "Durrett endorses Boyd for governor". The Leaf-Chronicle. June 28, 2017. Retrieved August 2, 2017.
  49. ^ Poe, Ryan (July 26, 2017). "Shelby County Mayor Luttrell endorses Randy Boyd for governor". The Commercial Appeal. Retrieved August 2, 2017.
  50. ^ a b Sher, Andy (July 16, 2018). "Wamp backs Lee in GOP governor primary". Chattanooga Times Free Press. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
  51. ^ a b "Andy Holt on Twitter".
  52. ^ a b Herald, The Daily. "State Representative Sheila Butt endorses Bill Lee". Archived from the original on July 23, 2018. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  53. ^ a b "Twitter". mobile.twitter.com.
  54. ^ a b "Republican Mae Beavers endorses Bill Lee for governor". The Tennessean.
  55. ^ a b "Carr Endorses Lee". Facebook Post.
  56. ^ a b "RELEASE: Lee Announces Community and Faith-Based Advisory Council - Bill Lee". February 27, 2018. Archived from the original on June 26, 2018. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
  57. ^ a b "Press Release: Businessman Bill Lee Raises $1.3 Million In First Major Fundraiser - Bill Lee". June 6, 2017.
  58. ^ a b c d e f "Mike Fisher, Darrell Waltrip join 'faith, community' council in Bill Lee campaign". The Tennessean.
  59. ^ a b "Ricky Skaggs To Headline Bill Lee For Governor Event On Monday In Chattanooga". July 23, 2018.
  60. ^ a b "Honored to Have the endorsement of Scott Hamilton".
  61. ^ "Cooper: Republican Lee the Choice for Republicans". Chattanooga Times Free Press.
  62. ^ "Johnson City Press". Archived from the original on July 2, 2018. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
  63. ^ a b "Dunlap News Opinion: Endorsement for Governor". Dunlap News. Archived from the original on July 20, 2018. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
  64. ^ Basil Marceaux 1%, Kay White <1%
  65. ^ Kay White 2%
  66. ^ Mae Beavers 4%
  67. ^ "August 2, 2018 Republican Primary Governor" (PDF). Tennessee Secretary of State. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
  68. ^ Garrison, Joey (February 26, 2017). "Former Nashville Mayor Karl Dean to run for governor of Tennessee". The Tennessean. Retrieved February 26, 2017.
  69. ^ Garrison, Joey (August 6, 2017). "Craig Fitzhugh to run for governor of Tennessee, setting up contested Democratic primary". The Tennessean. Retrieved August 8, 2017.
  70. ^ "Mezianne Payne announces candidacy for governorship". Archived from the original on July 4, 2018. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
  71. ^ Sher, Andy (November 9, 2015). "New names dropped in 2016 Tennessee governor's race". Chattanooga Times Free Press. Retrieved May 24, 2016.
  72. ^ Garrison, Joey (February 27, 2017). "Fitzhugh leaning toward run against Dean for governor; Freeman out". The Tennessean. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
  73. ^ a b Tennessean. "Nashville Congressman Jim Cooper endorses Karl Dean for Tennessee governor". Twitter.
  74. ^ a b "Turned It Around". YouTube. July 11, 2018. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
  75. ^ "August 2, 2018 Democratic Primary Governor" (PDF). Tennessee Secretary of State. Retrieved October 8, 2018.
  76. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r "Filed petitions" (PDF). sos-tn-gov-files.s3.amazonaws.com.
  77. ^ "Let's turn TN into OK! - Libertarian Party". November 13, 2017.
  78. ^ Donald J. Trump. "Congratulations to Bill Lee of Tennessee on his big primary win for Governor last night. He ran a great campaign and now will finish off the job in November. Bill has my total and enthusiastic Endorsement!". Twitter.
  79. ^ Mike Pence. "Congratulations on a big primary win to @BillLeeTN! The people of Tennessee are fortunate to have a man like you step up to serve as their Governor. @realDonaldTrump and I strongly support you & look forward to campaigning with you to victory in November!". Twitter.
  80. ^ Lamar Alexander. "Congratulations to Bill Lee on tonight's victory. As I've often said, there is no better job than being governor of your home state, especially if that state is Tennessee. I look forward to working with Bill to continue Governor Haslam's excellent leadership of our state". Twitter.
  81. ^ Bundgaard, Chris (August 3, 2018). "Diane Black throws support behind Bill Lee after GOP governor primary loss".
  82. ^ Marsha Blackburn. "Congratulations, @BillLeeTN! I look forward to uniting the party and working together for Tennessee". Twitter.
  83. ^ Bill Haslam. "Congrats to @BillLeeTN on winning the Republican nomination for TN governor". Twitter.
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  91. ^ Terry McAuliffe. "Phone banking for @KarlFDean #TeamDean". Twitter.
  92. ^ Martin O'Malley. "It's great to be in Nashville with @PhilBredesen and @KarlFDean! Tennessee is fired up and feeling that blue wave!". Twitter.
  93. ^ Rep. Craig Fitzhugh. "I'm all in for @KarlFDean and you should be, too. For more #jobs, higher wages, for #educators & #MedicaidExpansion—there's only one choice. #TeamDean". Twitter.
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Official campaign websites