Former State Rep. Brandon Ogles announced his campaign for Williamson County mayor, pledging to stand up for local residents against unchecked growth, overdevelopment and state funding, the Williamson Herald reports. Ogles, a Franklin native and former state lawmaker, highlighted his work on school safety legislation during his time in the General Assembly, including efforts to fund school resource officers and threat-assessment teams statewide. A former reserve deputy with the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office, Ogles said he hopes to bring his experience in public safety and fiscal policy to county government.

Clarksville attorney Erin Poland Nolder has announced her intention to run for Montgomery County General Sessions judge, Clarksville Now reports. Nolder currently serves as senior attorney and firm partner at Poland & Poland Attorneys at Law, where she is lead counsel for criminal and civil litigation. She earned her law degree from the Nashville School of Law. “I believe our next judge should have a deep and concentrated understanding of the unique challenges and needs of our community," Nolder said. The primary election is set for May 5, 2026, with the general election on Aug. 6, 2026.

Early voting begins today in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District special primary, a crowded race to replace former U.S. Rep. Mark Green, Axios Nashville reports. The district stretches from downtown Nashville through western Davidson County to Clarksville and several rural counties. Eleven Republicans and four Democrats are on the ballot, including state lawmakers Jody Barrett, Gino Bulso and Lee Reeves on the Republican ticket and Aftyn Behn, Vincent Dixie and Bo Mitchell on the Democratic. Early voting runs through Oct. 2, and the primary election is set for Oct. 7.

Knox County Commissioner Kim Frazier has announced her candidacy to replace term-limited county Mayor Glenn Jacobs in 2026, Knox News reports. She joins fellow Republican contenders Commissioner Larsen Jay, who entered the race in January 2024, and school board member Betsy Henderson, who announced in March. “My decision to pursue the immense privilege of being the next Knox County mayor isn’t about anyone but the people who make this county great,” Frazier told Knox News. “I feel the responsibility to give them a leader who will always put their community first.” The Republican primary is set for May 5, 2026, with the general election scheduled for Aug. 6, 2026.

Hamilton County General Sessions Court Judge Tori Smith has announced her candidacy for the August 2026 special election to permanently fill the seat, Chattanoogan.com reports. Smith was appointed to the bench in 2024 to fill a vacancy created by Judge Alex McVeagh’s election to the 11th Judicial District Circuit Court. Her campaign said she has presided “with a commitment to ensuring that all who enter her courtroom are treated with dignity.” Before her appointment, Smith worked as an attorney in the 11th Judicial District Public Defender’s Office. The special election is set for Aug. 6, 2026.

U.S. Rep. John Rose, R-Cookeville, announced at the Wilson County Tennessee State Fairgrounds in Lebanon that he will seek the 2026 Republican nomination to run for governor. He is the first to formally announce a major campaign, according to the Tennessean. Rose said his priorities as governor would be to safeguard the state’s low taxes, low debt, low regulations and Christian values through strong conservative leadership. He said his years of experience as a private businessman and farmer set him apart in the race. Rose has served in Congress since 2018, when he was elected to fill the seat vacated by U.S. Rep. Diane Black. He previously was the state’s agriculture commissioner. He is expected to face U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn for the nomination. While she has not made an official announcement she told the Tennessee Journal this week that she intends to run.

U.S. Rep. John Rose, a Republican from Cookeville in his fourth term, announced his plans to run for governor an event in Williamson County, WSMV reports. According to sources, Rose said at a Republican women’s function, “I am convinced my best days are ahead and that the best opportunity I have to serve Tennessee is in a different role. So, I’m going to come home at the end of this period and I’m going to offer myself … as a candidate for governor.” Before being elected to Congress, Rose served as Tennessee’s agriculture commissioner. He is also a farmer, attorney and owner of an IT training enterprise.

U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty announced his reelection bid this week, ending speculation about a potential gubernatorial bid, The Hill reports. A former businessman and U.S. Ambassador to Japan, Hagerty was elected as Tennessee’s junior senator in 2020, beating Democrat Marquita Bradshaw with 62% of the vote. The decision leaves the state’s senior U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn as the highest profile Republican to express interest in a gubernatorial run. Other Republicans who have indicated interest in succeeding Gov. Bill Lee, who is term limited, include U.S. Rep. John Rose, state Sen. Page Walley of Savannah and CoreCivic President Damon Hininger, Tennessee Journal reports.