Candidate for Tennessee Governor in 2026 Tennessee Primary Election.
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Get StartedLauren will expand rehabilitative programs in Tennessee prisons to increase GED graduations, cognitive behavioral therapy skills, and employment pathways back to civilian life. Learn more
Lauren will conduct a full assessment of Tennessee’s prison system, both public and private partnerships, to reduce the incarcerated population in the state by 15% in her first term as Governor. She will invest in behavioral health services and education resources for those incarcerated due to substance abuse to reduce recidivism rates, keep families together, and save taxpayer dollars. Learn more
Legislation forcing all local law enforcement to join ICE’s 287(g) program will make local communities less safe, dissuading vulnerable populations from reaching out to law enforcement for help. Learn more
Lauren will expand mental health services and trauma-informed training for officers across all levels of law enforcement. Learn more
Lauren supports protecting those on the front lines of emergencies through leadership focused on vibrant communities, practical peacebuilding, and narrowed targets. Learn more
Lauren will explore creating a program within the Tennessee Department of Agriculture to connect retiring farmers and ranchers with the next generation unable to afford land due to farm consolidation caused by corporations and mega-farms buying up farmland. Learn more
Lauren supports legislation reflecting modern research by thought leaders like Dr. Jonathan Haidt on childhood development, including: no smartphones before high school, no social media before age 16, phone-free schools from bell to bell, and promoting more independence, free play, and real-world responsibility for children. Learn more
Lauren will explore tax incentives for companies providing discreet weapon detection technology to public schools so Tennessee children can focus on learning, not on their safety. Learn more
Lauren will propose licensing adjunct instructors in high school career courses to address the lack of teachers in Tennessee while offering part-time opportunities for local professionals. Learn more
Lauren is committed to ensuring that those on the frontline of state education be at the center of conversations regarding education policy at the state level. Learn more
Lauren will convene Tennessee homeschool co-ops, microschools, private schools, universities, community colleges, and technical schools to establish acceptable sets of education standards & discuss the future of professional learning while ensuring the freedom of education options to all families in Tennessee. Learn more
Lauren supports reducing excessive benchmark testing so teachers can focus on instruction, rather than unnecessary data collection. Learn more
Lauren supports diversifying public school models to meet the needs of different learners, especially in rural counties. Learn more
Lauren will work to increase teacher salaries while reducing administrative burdens created by outdated burdens placed on them from the remnants of No Child Left Behind policies. Learn more
Lauren will improve coordination between counties that share water systems by strengthening communication between local governments, regional water suppliers, and the state utility board. Learn more
Lauren will protect the Tennessee Valley Authority from privatization to maintain affordable utility costs and healthy waterways for Tennesseans and for our bordering states. Learn more
Lauren will begin a long-term effort to bury power lines in high-risk areas, with direct consultation and consideration of Tennessee's linemen, utility companies, and trade schools. Learn more
Lauren will work with utilities and regional partners to upgrade transmission infrastructure so Tennessee can take advantage of new energy innovations while maintaining reliable service and Tennessee ratepayers should not foot the bill for grid upgrades that primarily serve large data center operators and outside investors. Learn more
Lauren will work with local governments and utilities to review outdated regulations and remove red tape that blocks affordable energy solutions while still respecting local land-use decisions. Learn more
Lauren will support practical transitions toward nuclear power, renewables, and emerging energy technologies that strengthen reliability while reducing dependence on volatile oil markets. Learn more
Lauren supports expanding Tennessee’s nuclear energy capacity, including small modular reactors, to ensure long-term energy reliability, protect the TVA, lower utility costs, and reduce dependence on unstable energy markets. Learn more
Lauren will support creating a legal pathway to transfer gun possession away from someone who presents an imminent risk to themselves or others to prevent suicide. There are 21 states that have enacted similar laws showing an effective prevention of firearm suicides (Connecticut alone saw a 14% decrease in firearm suicides after passing this legislation). Learn more
Lauren supports closing the loophole that currently requires a background check when purchasing a weapon from a licensed gun store, but not from a private seller or at a gun show. Learn more
It is nonnegotiable to Lauren that sportsmanship and self-defense remain constitutionally protected in Tennessee. Learn more
Tennessee leads the nation in the number of firearms stolen from vehicles, and firearm injury has been the leading cause of death for Tennessee children since 2017. Adults have a responsibility to keep children safe and Lauren supports requirements on safe firearm storage in vehicles to prevent theft and protect children. Learn more
Lauren will do all she can to utilize public healthcare funds for billboards and signage around mutual belonging, crisis resources, and reciprocal citizenship. Learn more
Lauren will work to expose corporate health insurance lobbyists trying to consolidate independent health systems, especially in rural Tennessee by tying federal rural health grants to the elimination of Certificates of Need. Learn more
Lauren will pilot “palliative housing” in up to three communities, partnering locally to provide temporary or long-term support to those experiencing momentary or chronic homelessness, modeled after Austin, Texas’ Community First! tiny home community. Learn more
Lauren will address the over 82 billion backlog in road repairs ignored far too much by state leaders by aggressively pursuing federal infrastructure funding and coordinating with local governments. Tennessee taxpayers should not subsidize roads to new subdivisions built by out-of-state developers. Learn more
Lauren will work with TDOT to explore flexible lane systems that allow center lanes to shift direction during peak commute times in metro areas (NOT adding more lanes through metro neighborhoods). Learn more
Lauren supports exploring a statewide passenger rail system connecting Memphis to Bristol and Nashville to Chattanooga to improve mobility and economic connectivity. Learn more
Lauren will support tax incentives to expand healing-centered workplaces for second-chance programs, human trafficking survivors, and adults with intellectual disabilities. Learn more
Lauren supports expanding tax exemptions for farm-to-table markets and incentivizing regulatory compliance in agricultural businesses. Learn more
As Governor, Lauren will: – Protect the right of workers to organize and form unions. Learn more
Expand apprenticeship programs that connect workers to high-skill careers. Learn more
Support workforce development partnerships between unions, employers, and trade schools. Learn more
Ensure state economic development incentives prioritize companies that respect workers and invest in Tennessee communities. Learn more
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