The Gist
Governor
Photo of Lauren Pinkston
Lauren PinkstonCampaign photo — Pinkston for TN

Lauren Pinkston

Candidate for Governor

Independent

Background

Lives in
Columbia
Campaign website
pinkstonfortn.com

Former teacher and Lipscomb University business professor who spent 15 years working against human trafficking, including founding three businesses in Southeast Asia that employed survivors; she holds a Ph.D. from Clemson University (per her campaign).

Report

Photo: Campaign photo — Pinkston for TN

Documented positions

Taxes & budget

Public safety

Education

  • Opposes the 2025 voucher expansion, redirecting money to early childhood.

    Would keep pre-2025 vouchers and funding for students with unique needs.

    Here's What Policies Independent Candidates in Tennessee's Governor's Race Support (candidates' questionnaire answers)

    Candidate questionnaire · Nashville Banner · Sep 22, 2026 · Nashville Banner questionnaire: Do you support the Education Freedom Scholarship/school voucher program? · nashvillebanner.com

    “I am emphatically against the 2025 EFS expansion. ... I support redirecting that money into early childhood, adding 50,000 daycare and preschool slots by 2030”
    Report

Economy & jobs

  • Proposes a 10% data revenue share paid to residents.

    VOTE411 Voter Guide: Tennessee Governor 2026 (Lauren Pinkston)

    Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters of Tennessee (VOTE411) · VOTE411 answer: How would you address those challenges? · onyourballot.vote411.org

    “establish a 10% Data Revenue Share paid directly to residents by large companies that profit more than $250,000 off Tennesseans’ data”
    Report

Environment & parks

  • Supports a statewide data center moratorium until standards are set.

    VOTE411 Voter Guide: Tennessee Governor 2026 (Lauren Pinkston)

    Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters of Tennessee (VOTE411) · VOTE411 answer: Data centers · onyourballot.vote411.org

    “As governor, I would support a statewide moratorium until real standards are established by the state legislature”
    Report

Health & human services

Courts & justice

Other issues in this race

Other candidates in this race addressed these topics. We found no documented position from Lauren Pinkston on them.

  • HousingNo documented position found.
  • Roads & infrastructureNo documented position found.
  • Government & transparencyNo documented position found.

All sources (185)

Positions are summarized from the sources listed and are not inferred from party affiliation. Items marked “Provided by” were published by the candidate's verified campaign or party office under our campaign content standards. See something wrong? Use the Report link beside it, or contact us.