Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is flirting with a bold leap from Pentagon power to Tennessee’s political stage. Sources close to him have revealed serious talks about a potential gubernatorial run next year, stirring intrigue in conservative circles, as NBC News reports. This move could shake up the Volunteer State’s open gubernatorial race.
Hegseth, who took the Pentagon’s helm in January, has discussed running for Tennessee governor with two confidants, focusing on campaign logistics and his odds of victory. These conversations, one within the last three weeks and another since his appointment, signal a calculated ambition. Yet, Department of Defense rules would force him to resign if he pursues elected office.
Tennessee’s governor’s race is wide open, but Hegseth’s path is fraught with hurdles. Public records show he has lived in suburban Nashville for only about three years, potentially falling short of the state’s seven-year residency requirement for governor. Republican Party bylaws, demanding votes in three of the last four statewide primaries, could also block his candidacy, as they did for Morgan Ortagus in 2022.
Hegseth’s time as Defense secretary has been anything but smooth. Allegations of financial mismanagement, sexual misconduct, and alcohol issues dogged his confirmation, all of which he denied. Since then, critics have slammed his abrupt staff firings and alleged chaos at the Pentagon.
A Pentagon inspector general’s report, due as early as August, probes Hegseth’s sharing of sensitive Yemen operation details in an unsecured Signal chat. This blunder has fueled accusations of recklessness. Still, President Donald Trump publicly backs him, though private frustrations have surfaced, per NBC News.
Politico insists that Trump’s inner circle remains loyal to Hegseth. Yet, his clashes with top generals over personnel and partisan priorities, reported by the New York Times on July 26, paint a picture of discord. Hegseth’s suspension of Ukraine aid -- thrice reversed by the White House -- further muddies his record.
Tennessee’s gubernatorial race is heating up with big names. Rep. John Rose, self-funding his campaign with $5 million, is a formidable contender. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, mulling a run, plans to clarify her intentions by August 2025.
If Blackburn wins the governor’s seat, her Senate post would open in 2027, triggering an appointment until a special election. Tennessee requires Senate candidates to have three years of residency, a mark Hegseth likely meets. However, Blackburn hasn’t discussed appointing him, and sources close to her deny any such talks.
Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs, a Blackburn ally, could be tapped for her Senate seat if she ascends. Hegseth’s name hasn’t surfaced in those conversations. Scott Golden, Tennessee Republican Party chairman, last spoke with Hegseth on election night 2024 and hasn’t heard of concrete campaign plans.
Golden, who visited the White House in April, dismissed Hegseth’s rumored run as speculative. “Nobody has called to talk about this as a reality,” he said. His skepticism suggests Hegseth’s plans may be more talk than action.
A Republican operative in Tennessee echoed Golden’s doubts, noting no buzz about Hegseth’s candidacy. Another source, speaking with Hegseth last week, claimed he flatly denied political ambitions, calling them “totally off the table.” Such denials clash with the serious discussions reported earlier.
A longtime Trump adviser also poured cold water on the idea, insisting Hegseth won’t run. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell doubled down, stating, “Hegseth’s focus remains solely on serving under President Trump.” Parnell’s jab at “fake news NBC” for pushing the story reeks of deflection, but it underscores Hegseth’s loyalty narrative.
Hegseth’s political history includes a failed 2012 Senate bid in Minnesota, from which he withdrew after losing the support of the GOP. Minnesota’s open Senate seat in 2026 might tempt him, but his Tennessee focus suggests a new chapter. Still, eligibility roadblocks could derail his ambitions before they start.
If Hegseth resigns, Army Secretary Dan Driscoll or Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby could step in as acting Defense secretary. Both are Senate-confirmed and ready to fill the void. Hegseth’s potential exit would cap a turbulent Pentagon stint marked by controversy and bold moves.
Tennessee’s conservative voters crave a strong, America First leader, but Hegseth’s baggage and residency issues could stall his campaign. His Pentagon tenure, riddled with missteps, might not inspire confidence on the stump. For now, Hegseth’s political dreams remain a tantalizing “maybe,” as Golden put it, leaving patriots watching closely.
