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Governor · TN · Democratic candidate · 2026

Jerri Green

Democratic candidate for governor of Tennessee

Jerri Green is a Memphis councilmember, public defender and former nonprofit director whose work centers on families, healthcare and public safety.

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StateTennessee
OfficeGovernor
ElectionNov. 3, 2026

Policy priorities

Where Jerri stands.

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Public schools and teachers

  • Supports fully funding public schools, raising teacher pay and ending the state school voucher program

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Medicaid and rural care

  • Supports Medicaid expansion, stronger TennCare coverage and investment to keep rural hospitals open

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Reproductive healthcare and privacy

  • Supports restoring abortion access and protecting contraception, IVF and personal healthcare decisions

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Wages leave and childcare

  • Supports living wages, paid family leave, affordable childcare and eliminating the state grocery tax

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Gun safety and prevention

  • Supports universal background checks, red flag laws and secure gun storage to reduce preventable violence

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Clean water and communities

  • Supports a data center moratorium while protecting water, public input and communities from higher utility costs

Record and background

Record & experience.

  1. 2026–present

    Experience

    Shelby County chief public defender

    Leads the public defense office.

  2. 2024–present

    Experience

    Memphis District 2 councilmember

    Represents the city district.

  • Experience

    Juvenile public defender

    Represented children in Nashville.

  • Experience

    Public interest attorney

    Practiced human rights and criminal defense law.

  • Experience

    University of Phoenix instructor

    Taught criminal law and juvenile justice.

  • Experience

    University of Memphis Law School staff

    Worked at the law school.

  • Experience

    Community Legal Center executive director

    Led affordable legal services.

  • Experience

    Shelby County senior policy advisor

    Advised Mayor Lee Harris.

  • Experience

    Shelby County deputy chief of staff

    Served in the mayor’s office.

  • Experience

    Economic Development committee chair

    Chairs tourism and technology oversight.

  • Experience

    Transportation committee vice-chair

    Serves in council leadership.

  • Experience

    Memphis River Parks Partnership liaison

    Represents the council.

  • Experience

    Urban Art Commission liaison

    Represents the council.

  • Experience

    Democratic Women of Shelby County president

    Led the organization.

  • Experience

    Habitat for Humanity of Memphis board

    Served as a director.

  • Experience

    Girls Inc. of Memphis board

    Serves as a director.

  • Experience

    Humane Society of Memphis and Shelby County board

    Serves as a director.

  • Experience

    Aspen Memphis Workforce Leadership Academy fellow

    Participated in the workforce leadership program.

  • Experience

    Overton Shell board

    Served as a director.

  • Experience

    Tennessee Moms Demand Action election lead

    Led statewide election work.

  • Experience

    Shelby County Zero Waste Task Force

    Served as a member.

  • Accomplishment

    Medical debt relief

    Helped clear $17 million for 12,000 Memphians.

  • Accomplishment

    Free gun locks by mail

    Helped establish the county safety program.

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