2026 Governor's Races: Tennessee and Illinois Set General Election Matchups

Two 2026 gubernatorial races have set their general election matchups following primary contests. In Tennessee, Republican U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn will face Democrat Jerri Green, a first-term Memphis city councilwoman, in the November general election. In Illinois, Democratic incumbent Gov. JB Pritzker is seeking a third term against Republican Darren Bailey, a former state senator who previously lost to Pritzker in the 2022 general election. In Tennessee, Green won her party's primary by defeating her closest Democratic opponent by more than 150,000 votes. Blackburn would be required to vacate her U.S. Senate seat if she wins the governorship. In Illinois, Pritzker secured the Democratic nomination unopposed, while Bailey won a four-way Republican primary held March 17 with 54% of the vote. The Illinois general election is scheduled for November 3, 2026; a specific date for the Tennessee general election was not provided in available reporting. Both races remain undecided pending the November general elections. In Illinois, the matchup is described as the state's first gubernatorial rematch since 1986, and some reporting notes speculation about Pritzker potentially pursuing a 2028 presidential run, though this remains unconfirmed and unrelated to the current gubernatorial race outcome. No additional details on campaign platforms, polling, or fundraising were included in the available reports for either state.