A meta view of the set for the 2026 Gubernatorial Forum in the Scott Borchetta College of Media and Entertainment at Middle Tennessee State University on Oct. 27, 2026. (Photo: Ephraim Rodenbach/MTSU Seigenthaler News Service)
Three of the four major Tennessee gubernatorial candidates appeared at a forum one week before the 2026 election in the only statewide nonpartisan forum, sponsored by the Tennessee Press Association and Middle Tennessee State University.
Democratic nominee Jerri Green, a member of the Memphis City Council, and independent candidates David Hatley and Lauren Pinkston participated while U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, the Republican nominee and presumptive frontrunner, did not respond to multiple invitations. Tennessee Lookout photojournalist John Partipilo and Ephraim Rodenback with MTSU Seigenthaler News Service captured the event in photos.
Pregame: Prepping in the Scott Borchetta College of Media and Entertainment
Deb and David Hatley backstage prior to start time. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)
Independent candidate Lauren Pinkston, husband, Gavin, and campaign staff members pray backstage before the forum start. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)
Counting down: Students in the Scott Borchetts College of Media and Entertainment gained practical experience running the forum. (Photo: Ephraim Rodenbach/MTSU Seigenthaler News Service)
Ken Paulson, director of the Free Speech Center at MTSU and Otis Sanford, professor emeritus, University of Memphis, finalize their notes before airtime. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)
Lauren Pinkston in the green room prior to the start of the October 27 gubernatorial debate at Middle Tennessee State University. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)
Showtime: The forum
Lauren Pinkston turns to David Hatley during the Tennessee Press Association-Middle Tennessee State University 2026 Gubernatorial Forum on Oct. 27, 2026. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)
Tennessee Press Association President Dave Gould of Main Street Media opens the event. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)
MTSU junior journalism student Jaeda Jackson asks an affordability question during the Tennessee Press Association gubernatorial forum hosted by Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026. (Photo: Ephraim Rodenbach/MTSU Seigenthaler News Service)
Independent candidate David Hatley answering a question. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)
Jerri Green at the Tennessee Press Association and Middle Tennessee State University 2026 Gubernatorial forum, Oct. 27, 2025 at MTSU in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)
Wrapping up
Middle Tennessee State University student technicians, who ran the forum, join candidates on stage when the event wraps. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)
Forum moderator Ken Paulson and Jerri Green share a few words. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)
Deb Hatley hugs her husband after the forum wraps up. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)
Democratic candidate Jerri Green answers questions in a post-forum press conference. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)
📄 Contenido indexado automáticamente. No es de autoría de altabusqueda.com; los derechos pertenecen a su fuente: Tennessee Lookout.
Ver nota original ↗
🤖 Profundizá esta noticia con OIMA (IA)
¿Querés un resumen rápido de esta noticia, hecho por nuestra IA?
