The list of gubernatorial hopefuls in Tennessee is growing with the addition of an alcohol distiller and a private prison company executive.

Damon Hininger, CEO of CoreCivic, spoke at Republicans’ Statesmen’s Dinner last weekend, and Joe Baker, owner of Ole Smoky Moonshine and Yee-Haw beer — who chaired last year’s event — worked the crowd at the annual event, according to the Tennessee Journal.

Neither one is close to committing to a run for the governor’s seat, but Gov. Bill Lee was a political unknown with no name recognition other than as the owner of HVAC company bearing his last name before he vaulted over a crowded field of political veterans some six years ago.

They’re joined by a list of usual Republican suspects such as U.S. Reps. John Rose of Cookeville, Mark Green of Clarksville and Tim Burchett of Knoxville, as well as Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton and Knox County Mayor Glen Jacobs, formerly known as “Kane” the WWE wrestler. Jacobs wasn’t ready to announce when seen at the Cordell Hull Building this spring.

Republican U.S. Rep. John Rose confirmed in early April that he is looking at a potential 2026 race for governor.

“Well, it’s something I’m thinking about,” the three-term congressman and former state agriculture commissioner from Cookeville said Tuesday after hosting a dinner and discussion with Republican state lawmakers at the Cordell Hull Building in Nashville.

In the meantime, Tennessee Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton has set in motion a plan to turn the predominately blue City of Memphis red.

At the 47th annual Tennessee Republican Statesmen’s Dinner on June 15, Sexton said: “One day we will turn Memphis red again. And I know that day is coming very soon.” Sexton, is gaining local support in Memphis since going after Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy, accusing him of being “soft on crime” because of a diversion program for felons who are charged with weapons possession but do not have a history of violence.

The 2026 Tennessee gubernatorial election is scheduled to take place on November 3, 2026, to elect the next governor of Tennessee. Incumbent Republican Governor Bill Lee is prohibited by the Constitution of Tennessee from seeking a third consecutive term.