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Gubernatorial candidate Marsha Blackburn dodged questions of debate, claiming she’s had ‘lots of forums’ with Republicans. We asked — they say otherwise.
By Li Cohen at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate)
· July 9, 2026
· 2 min read
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - Sen. Marsha Blackburn, who is running to be Tennessee’s next governor, sidestepped questions about whether she would debate other gubernatorial candidates, claiming she’s had “lots of forums” with Republicans. “Do you think Tennesseans deserve to hear side-by-side discou...
Key takeaway WSMV4 asked her Republican opponents — and they say that isn’t true.
Why this matters in The Nashville
The gubernatorial candidate's evasion on debates raises questions about transparency and accountability in Tennessee's electoral process. By claiming to have participated in "lots of forums" with her Republican opponents, Marsha Blackburn implies a level of engagement and openness that her opponents dispute. The fact that her team has not provided verification of these forums, and that the few events that have taken place were private and scripted, suggests a lack of genuine interaction with voters. As the campaign season heats up, Nashville residents and Tennesseans across the state will be watching to see if Blackburn will commit to debating her opponents, both in the primary and general elections. The ability to engage in substantive discourse and answer tough questions is a crucial aspect of leadership, and voters deserve to see their candidates put to the test.
About this story
Original reporting by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . The Nashville surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 9, 2026 ·
Source: WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - Sen. Marsha Blackburn, who is running to be Tennessee’s next governor, sidestepped questions about whether she would debate other gubernatorial candidates, claiming she’s had “lots of forums” with Republicans. “Do you think Tennesseans deserve to hear side-by-side discou...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 9, 2026 by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Li Cohen at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Nashville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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