Pete Hegseth rumored to be eyeing running for governor in Tennessee

Could the Pentagon’s top dog be trading his Defense Secretary badge for a shot at Tennessee’s governor’s mansion? Reports are swirling that Pete Hegseth, currently steering the ship at the Department of Defense, has been quietly mulling a political run in the Volunteer State next year. I

NBC News reported that whispers from two separate sources reveal Hegseth has engaged in serious talks about campaigning for governor in Tennessee, where he resides, and an open race awaits.

These discussions, one occurring within the last three weeks and another since Hegseth took the Defense Secretary role in January 2025, delved into gritty details like eligibility rules, campaign challenges, and his odds of clinching a win.

If he jumps in, Department of Defense regulations would force him to step down from his current post. That’s a big gamble for a man already navigating a stormy tenure.

Hegseth’s Rocky Road at the Pentagon

Let’s rewind a bit—Hegseth’s first six months as Defense Secretary haven’t exactly been a victory lap. Controversies shadowed his confirmation with allegations of personal and financial missteps, all of which he’s denied.

Since then, he’s faced heat for sudden staff dismissals, accusations of disarray at the Pentagon, and even scrutiny over sharing sensitive military info via an unsecured chat app.

A pending inspector general’s report on that chat incident looms, potentially dropping next month. Add to that his thrice-suspended aid to Ukraine—each time reversed by the White House—and clashes with top military brass over personnel and priorities, and you’ve got a leader under constant fire.

Yet President Trump has publicly backed him, even if private frustrations occasionally bubble up. Despite the chaos, recent reports suggest Trump and his inner circle remain in Hegseth’s corner.

But here’s the rub: if he’s eyeing a political future, can he afford to keep stumbling through Pentagon minefields? It’s a question worth asking as Tennessee’s political landscape comes into focus.

Now, about that governor’s race—Hegseth has a steep hill to climb just to get on the ballot. Tennessee law demands candidates for governor have lived in the state for seven years prior to the election, but public records tie him to a Nashville-area address only since mid-2022, roughly three years ago. That’s a glaring gap that could sink any candidacy before it even starts.

Then there’s the Tennessee Republican Party’s bylaws, requiring primary candidates to have voted in three of the last four statewide GOP primaries.

With primaries in 2022 and 2024, it’s unclear if Hegseth meets the mark, and past precedents—like Morgan Ortagus being booted from a congressional primary ballot—show the party plays hardball. It’s a bureaucratic maze that could trip up even the most determined contender.

Heavyweights like Rep. John Rose, who’s already loaned his campaign $5 million, and Sen. Marsha Blackburn, a 25-year veteran of state politics, are mulling her own run, and could make it a bruising primary. Blackburn’s next move, expected to be announced next month, might reshape the entire race.

Mixed Signals on Hegseth’s Intentions

Yet, not everyone’s convinced Hegseth is serious about this. Some in his circle, including a recent confidant, claim he’s dismissed the idea outright, calling it “totally off the table.” A longtime Trump adviser also poured cold water on the rumors, insisting there’s no Tennessee run in the cards.

“Hegseth’s focus remains solely on serving under President Trump,” declared Sean Parnell, the Pentagon’s chief spokesman. Nice soundbite, but when you’ve got two sources confirming serious discussions, it’s hard to take such denials at face value. Actions, not press releases, will tell the real story here.

Meanwhile, Tennessee Republican Party Chairman Scott Golden seems equally in the dark, noting, “Nobody has called to talk about this as a reality.”

That skepticism echoes among other state operatives who haven’t caught wind of any campaign plans. It’s a curious disconnect for a story gaining so much traction.

If Hegseth does throw his hat in the ring, the Pentagon could see a shuffle with names like Army Secretary Dan Driscoll or policy chief Elbridge Colby floated as interim replacements. Both are Senate-confirmed in their current roles, making them viable stopgaps. But losing a Defense Secretary mid-term over a political bid would hardly scream stability.

Then there’s the ripple effect in Tennessee if Blackburn runs and wins, vacating her Senate seat in 2027 and triggering a special election.

Speculation swirls about potential appointees like Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs, though sources close to Blackburn insist no such talks have happened. It’s a political chessboard with too many moving pieces to predict.