U.S. Rep. John Rose, R-Cookeville, has confirmed that he is looking at a potential 2026 race for governor, The Tennessee Journal reports. “Well, it’s something I’m thinking about,” the three-term congressman and former state agriculture commissioner said after hosting a discussion with Republican state lawmakers in Nashville. Rose, who represents Tennessee's Sixth Congressional District, held the event to discuss federal and state issues. Gov. Bill Lee will be term-limited from running again when his current term expires in 2026.

Four members of the Tennessee Democratic Party Executive Committee have filed suit against the organization seeking to strip non-elected committee members of their right to vote on party business. According to Tennessee Lookout, the law mandates that political parties have an executive committee composed of one man and one woman from each of the state’s 33 Senate districts. The Democratic Party also allows representatives from the House and Senate Democratic Caucuses, Tennessee Federation of Democratic Women, Tennessee Democratic County Chairs Association, Tennessee Young Democrats, College Democrats and High School Democrats to serve on its executive committee. The group argues there is nothing in state law that allows these ex-officio members to have voting rights. The party argues that while the law sets out the minimum number of members, it does not prohibit the addition of others.

The Tennessee Registry of Election Finance has ended an 18-month inquiry into Tennessee Stands founder Gary Humble’s 2022 Senate campaign, the Tennessean reports. The registry had been looking into Humble’s records to determine whether his campaign unlawfully coordinated with the group.

Tennessee’s population growth puts it on track for an additional U.S. House seat in 2032, Tennessee Lookout reports. According to the latest U.S. Census data, Tennessee’s population grew to 7.1 million people in 2023, which, if maintained, would mean it would gain another seat during the next redistricting cycle eight years from now. The paper reports that the state has not had more than nine House seats in some 80 years. After the Civil War, Tennessee had 10 congressional districts before losing one during the 1930 redistricting process, regaining it in 1940 and losing it again in 1950.

State Rep. Gloria Johnson, D-Knoxville, has confirmed that she plans to run for her current state House District 90 seat in addition to running for the Democratic nomination to challenge Republican U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn. The Tennessee Journal reports that Johnson says she is aware of attempts to block that ability. Legislation that would bar candidates for state and federal offices from appearing on primary or general election ballots for two or more offices is being promoted by two Knoxville Republicans: Senate State and Local Government Chair Richard Briggs and Rep. Dave Wright. The bill would allow for a few exceptions, including if the candidate already holds two offices and for purely political offices such as party state executive committees.

The Tennessee Registry of Election Finance has asked the state attorney general’s office to investigate two Constitutional Republican groups to determine if they should register as political action committees (PACs). The registry took the action Tuesday following a complaint that the groups — Sumner County Constitutional Republicans and Tennessee Constitutional Republicans — should register. The groups deny they are PACs, saying they are private social clubs that do not provide financial support to candidates, though they have endorsed candidates. They also say the complaint lacks substance and appears to be politically motivated. Tennessee Lookout reports on the developments.

Knox County At-Large Commissioner Larsen Jay is the first candidate to officially announce his intention to run for mayor of Knox County. The Knoxville News Sentinel reports that Jay, a Republican, was elected to the county commission in 2018 and again in 2022, and he served as chairman from 2020-2021. Current Mayor Glenn Jacobs is term-limited and ineligible to run again in the 2026 election.

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to take up whether former President Donald Trump can be disqualified from appearing on Colorado’s ballot due to his actions surrounding the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack, reports The Hill. The justices’ order sets the case up to be heard at a speedy pace, with oral arguments scheduled for Feb. 8. Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti recently joined an amicus brief urging the court to hear the appeal.

The city of Selmer has elected its first Black woman alderman, WBBJ reports. LaShell Moore, a teacher in McNairy County Schools and a community leader, was sworn in Thursday. According to Moore, one of her goals is to unify the board so the town can thrive and grow. “Being the first African-American woman means a lot not only for me but also for women that will come after me. I am hoping that this will open the door for other women, not only women of color, but for women in general that want to serve in this capacity,” she said.

Gov. Bill Lee was elected in early December to serve as the chair of the Republican Governors Association. He will assume the position immediately and serve for a one year. In addition, Lee has been elected by fellow Appalachian governors to serve as co-chair of the Appalachian Regional Commission's (ARC) Federal-State Partnership. According to the Tennessee Journal, in this role, Lee will represent the 13 states in ARC's region and work with co-chair Gayle Manchin (wife of U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-West Virginia) who will represent federal interests for the group. The partnership focuses on investments for economic and community growth across the member states' 423 counties. ARC provides grants, publishes research and sponsors learning experiences.