The first woman to run for Tennessee governor; the story of Kate Bradford Stockton's 1936 campaign

Summary by The Nashville Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Forrest Sanders, NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) · July 24, 2026 · 3 min read

You may have heard this. As we head into the primaries, there are more women running for governor across the country than ever before. Perhaps one historic moment brings a recognition of another one. It started here. I found a NewsChannel 5 story from 40-years-ago. 1986. It was Jane Eskind making...

Why this matters in The Nashville

Kate Bradford Stockton's 1936 campaign for Tennessee governor marks a significant moment in the state's history, particularly in the context of women's rights and education. As a Socialist Party candidate, Stockton's platform, which included free school lunches and old age pensions, resonated with the struggles of Tennesseans during the Great Depression. Her commitment to educating women and providing economic support to vulnerable populations reflects the needs of many communities in Nashville and surrounding areas, where poverty and limited access to education were prevalent. Stockton's legacy serves as a reminder of the importance of local leaders who champion progressive causes, and her story can inform contemporary discussions about education, economic inequality, and social justice in Nashville. The fact that Stockton was able to run for governor nearly a century ago, despite the societal norms of her time, underscores the potential for women to make a meaningful impact in Tennessee politics, a trend that continues to shape the state's political landscape today.

About this story

Original reporting by NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS 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 NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate). Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom.

Category: parks · Published: July 24, 2026 · Source: NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) · Reading time: 3 min

Frequently asked about this story

What is this story about?

When was this published?

This article was first published on July 24, 2026 by NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.

Who reported this story?

This story was reported by Forrest Sanders at NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards.

Where can I find related coverage?

See more parks coverage from The Nashville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs.

Summary created by	The Nashville Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed
Original reporting	Forrest Sanders, NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate)
Original story	Read at the source
Source published	Jul 24, 2026
Indexed here	Jul 25, 2026
AI assistance	Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text
Prepublication human review	No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples

The first woman to run for Tennessee governor; the story of Kate Bradford Stockton's 1936 campaign

More stories

Quadruple murder suspect Austin Drummond found guilty in separate alleged prison attack in Tennessee

Investigation underway after reported road rage incident in Greenbrier

Seatbelt violation turns to stolen gun recovery in Mt. Juliet

Nashville man arrested for possessing thousands of files with child sexual abuse material, police say

Tennessee gubernatorial candidates' TV ads face criticism for promoting policies already in state law

Energy Department pulled grant money from states that didn't vote for Trump, new filing says

Beaman Park is expanding: Nashville to acquire forestland to preserve city's green spaces

SROs serve as front line of MNPS safety measures

‘We gotta ban these dadgum things’ | Rep. Burchett introduces bill to ban federal funding for Flock cameras

We asked GOP gubernatorial candidates how they’ll handle some of TN voters’ top concerns. Here’s what they said.

1 of 2 men wanted for attempted homicide in Hickman County arrested

WATCH: ‘SEC Media Days Craze’ | A look back at the 2026 SEC Media Days

Get the briefing.