Work a little bit harder." Tennessee's women running for governor face challenges men don't

Tennessee is nearing a historic milestone as three major candidates compete in the general election, making it nearly certain that the state will elect its first female governor in the 230 years since the inception of the Volunteer State Tennessee Lookout. The field features Republican nominee and current U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, Democratic nominee and Memphis City Council member Jerri Green, and independent candidate Lauren Pinkston, a former Lipscomb University Professor.

Across the country, 14 states have women in the governor’s seat, and women make up 35.1% of nominees for governor, according to the Rutgers University Center for American Women and Politics. What’s less common is that Tennessee has women nominees for both major parties.

Campaigning Challenges and Scrutiny

Pinkston noted that the level of scrutiny is higher for a woman running for office than for a man. Green reported that it is more difficult to raise money as a woman and to deal with constant nasty comments and threats.

Marsha Blackburn’s Path as a Pioneer

Blackburn, who has nearly 30 years of electoral experience and is considered by many politicos to be the favorite in the race, is accustomed to being a pioneer. In 2018, she became the first woman elected to the U.S. Senate from Tennessee. Earlier in her career, in 1989, she became the first woman to hold the position of chair of the Williamson County GOP, and she later served as the only Republican woman in the state Senate.

Work a little bit harder." Tennessee's women running for governor face challenges men don't

Female leaders have to work a little bit harder to secure their place, Blackburn said in an interview. But we have been so fortunate to break ceilings and open doors of opportunity for women.