Lauren Pinkston
Candidate for Tennessee Governor · Independent
On the 2026 ballotCandidate · Tennessee Governor · Nov 3 General
Ballot status source: Certified — Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Elections: November 3, 2026 General Election candidate list (Governor) · read Sep 24, 2026
Running for Tennessee Governor, Nov 3 General. The race page has 14 other candidates, 1 public poll, 3 certified results. See the race
Roles on File
Seats held and sought, elections and committees, newest first.
- RunningTennessee GovernorNov 3, 2026 · On the 2026 ballot
Key Votes
The record
No public voting record
Lauren Pinkston has not held elected legislative office, so there are no roll-call votes to show. She is a first-time candidate and holds no public office. Checked 2026-09-24.
Sep 24, 2026 · Official · Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Elections · source
Newest first. A close vote was decided by 5% of the votes cast or less (or 10 votes or fewer, under a fifth of the votes). Broke with party: voted against most of their party, where the record gives the party split.
Their Money
Campaign finance
- Last Change
- Profile updated · Sep 25
- Raised
- $244,082this report
- Cash on Hand
- $17,620this report
- Spent
- $324,644this report
Tennessee Registry of Election Finance, Lauren Pinkston for Governor: 2026 Pre-Primary, filed 08/07/2026 (through Aug 7, 2026)
Finance Reports
Campaign finance · Lauren Pinkston for Governor: 2026 Pre-Primary, filed 08/07/2026
Raised $244,081.77 in net contributions this cycle (after refunds and adjustments), plus $98,182.22 in loans from the candidate · spent $324,644.22 · cash on hand $17,619.77 · liabilities: outstanding loans $98,182.22, obligations $0.00 — as of the 2026 Pre-Primary report filed 08/07/2026.
Aug 7, 2026 · Official · Tennessee Registry of Election FinanceStatement of Disclosure of Interests (Tennessee Ethics Commission), filed 2026-02-19
Tennessee Ethics Commission Statement of Disclosure of Interests (SS-8005), report year 2026, candidate statement, filed 2026-02-19; office sought as filed: Candidate Governor.
Feb 19, 2026 · Official · Tennessee Ethics Commission
Money shows as the filings named here report it. Payees are who the campaign paid; individual contributors are not shown.
In Their Words
What they have said, on the record
“There is no question that Tennessee voters are exhausted by the two-party system. Our state ranked last in voter turnout in the most recent mid-term election and follows a national trend where more than 70% of voters say they want a viable Independent option when they cast ballots.”
“That opportunity to talk to real people, helps us to keep our finger on the pulse of a state.”
“Number one is surrounding myself with people who are smarter than me.”
“We have to reframe the conversation around Tennessee being a deeply red state, because we had the lowest voter turnout in the entire nation last midterm.”
“I've been a lifelong independent, and I've never found myself at home with either party.”
“The most communist thing we could do is have a one-party state. So, if we are against communism, let's not do that.”
Show all 8 statementsShow fewer
“Every time you search, scroll, or shop online, tech companies are collecting your data and selling it for hundreds of dollars a year. This money goes straight into their pockets, not yours. Your data is your property. The companies selling it know that, but they are working hard to pay candidates who will remain silent instead of protecting your data property rights.”
“It is remarkable how quickly our state's supermajority can convene a special session to carry out orders from Washington, D.C., unlawfully redistricting our state and threatening the integrity of this year's election. But when voters across the state, from Memphis and Lawrenceburg and McMinnville and Cleveland, are taking up this issue on their own, there is no special session to create a state plan protecting our land, energy, and water resources.”
Interviews and Published Statements
Data Centers Must Pause in Tennessee
Jun 19, 2026 · Self-published · Lauren Pinkston / Substack · source
In the News
Press coverage
- Independent 'not backing down' after Democratic nominee urges her to end run for TN governorSep 24, 2026 · Press · WSMV4
- Tennessee Dem calls for independent to drop out of governor's race over Andrew Jackson videoSep 23, 2026 · Press · WPLN News
- Democrat Jerri Green asked independent Lauren Pinkston to drop out of TN governor raceSep 22, 2026 · Press · Knox News
- Spoilers or contenders? Two independent candidates for TN governor try to shake up the raceSep 15, 2026 · Press · Tennessee Lookout
- Marsha Blackburn refuses to debate Jerri GreenSep 11, 2026 · Press · Nashville Banner
- TN Governor's race: Will independents play spoilers?Aug 30, 2026 · Press · Fox17 (WZTV)
- Lauren Pinkston Is Betting Tennessee Isn't as Red as It LooksAug 14, 2026 · Press · IVN (Independent Voter News)
Headlines link to the original reporting, captured on the date shown.
Reach Them
Websites and accounts
- Campaign Websitepinkstonfortn.comSelf-published
Campaign website and public accounts
Campaign website: https://laurenpinkston.com Public accounts: substack: https://laurenmpinkston.substack.com
Sep 24, 2026 · Self-published · source
The Paper Trail
Filings, results and exhibits
Governor · TN-GOV
Independent · Candidate · On the 2026 ballot
Sep 24, 2026 · Official · sos-prod.tnsosgovfiles.com · sourceSources (1)
On the ballot: Governor of Tennessee, Nov 3 2026
Certified candidate for Governor (Independent, Columbia) on the Tennessee Secretary of State's list of candidates for the November 3, 2026 General Election.
Sep 3, 2026 · Official · Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Elections · source
Not on file for Lauren yet: Advertising. Coverage varies by state and office.
File read Sep 25, 2026. Each item names its source. Record ID p_vrebsq7pp.
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