local
Marsha Blackburn says she won’t debate because 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 dispute over debates between Senator Marsha Blackburn and her Republican opponents has significant implications for Nashville voters. As the state's capital and a major hub for political engagement, Nashville residents expect to see candidates engage in substantive discussions about the issues that matter most to the community. The fact that Blackburn's opponents, Monty Fritts and John Rose, claim they have not participated in public forums with her since she announced her candidacy raises questions about her commitment to transparency and accountability. With the primary election approaching, Nashville voters will be watching closely to see if Blackburn will reconsider her stance on debating her opponents, both in the primary and potentially in the general election. The city's voters deserve to hear from all candidates in a fair and open exchange of ideas, and it remains to be seen whether Blackburn will provide them with that opportunity.
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
Get more The Nashville stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering local and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
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 .
← Back to all news
More local →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter