by Sam Stockard, Tennessee Lookout
July 15, 2025

Republican U.S. Rep. John Rose is reporting more than $6.1 million in fundraising for Tennessee’s 2026 gubernatorial race, calling it an “unprecedented start” for the campaign, though most comes from a personal loan.

The state’s former commissioner of agriculture announced he raised $1.1 million from hundreds of supporters in all 95 of Tennessee’s counties and made an initial loan of $5 million to his campaign after announcing his candidacy in March.

“To receive this level of support in just a few short months from my fellow Tennesseans is huge for our campaign and my mission to protect our shared values,” Rose said in a release. “This is more than just a fundraising number — it’s a clear signal that voters want to defend this state and our freedoms just as badly as I do.”

The Cookeville resident who owns a family farm in rural Temperance Hall put together most of his wealth through an online information technology company he founded in 2000. He is now owner and president of Boson Software.

Campaign chairman Chris Devaney called the initial fundraising total an “unprecedented start” that puts Rose in a “commanding position.” Rose’s campaign had not filed a report with the Tennessee Registry of Election Finance as of Monday.

While Rose’s campaign touts what it calls the largest first filing in Tennessee gubernatorial history, the 2018 Tennessee Republican gubernatorial primary was expensive as well. 

By the end of the campaign, the five candidates — Gov. Bill Lee, University of Tennessee President Randy Boyd, former U.S. Rep. Diane Black, former House Speaker Beth Harwell and former state Sen. Mae Beavers — had spent almost $50 million. 

In the first two months of his initial campaign, Lee raised $1.4 million and loaned his campaign nearly $1.4 million for a total of $2.8 million. Lee, who is wrapping up his second four-year term, still has outstanding loans of $4.58 million.

Boyd, in the first four months of his campaign, raised $4.4 million, about half of which was a personal donation of $2 million. 

U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn is expected to enter the Republican primary in the governor’s race but hasn’t made an announcement.

Memphis City Council member Jerri Green said last week she will run in the Democratic primary for the governor’s seat.

Tennessee Lookout is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Tennessee Lookout maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Holly McCall for questions: info@tennesseelookout.com.

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Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.

Political Bias Rating: Centrist

The article offers a straightforward report on U.S. Rep. John Rose’s fundraising for the 2026 Tennessee gubernatorial race. It outlines both the sources of Rose’s campaign funds and how they compare to prior campaigns, including both Republican and Democratic figures. The language is neutral, with no loaded terms or editorial commentary, and it includes factual context about other candidates and historical data. Though the article quotes Rose’s self-promotional remarks, it does so as part of a balanced presentation. The coverage reflects standard political reporting without favoring or criticizing any ideological stance.