Elections
Independent Candidates Challenge Tennessee Governor’s Race
PN Team • 2 weeks ago
Independents Lauren Pinkston and David Hatley are campaigning for Tennessee governor, a post no independent has ever won in the state. Hatley, an Elizabethton businessman, emphasizes transparency, openly discussing a past federal conviction, and supports full cooperation with ICE and continuing the federal Memphis crime task force. Pinkston, a teacher and anti-trafficking advocate, opposes the Memphis task force's cost, would push to deport immigrants with criminal records, and calls for a stay of executions, citing the Christa Pike case. Hatley supports continuing executions under current law. Both candidates back ending Tennessee's grocery tax, with Pinkston proposing a medicinal marijuana program to replace lost revenue and prioritizing affordability on housing, insurance, and child care.
Sources:
Sentiment
- Independent politician Candidates framed as making history by challenging for a governorship no independent has won.
- Memphis, Tennessee City tied to a contested federal crime task force and its associated costs.
- Tennessee Setting for the gubernatorial race, covered factually without clear praise or criticism.