Politics - TennSight

How do Tennesseans feel state and federal officials are doing in the jobs they’ve been elected to do? Find out here.

Tennesseans' trust in government is low.

August 2026 poll

While a plurality of Tennesseans trust their state and local governments, trust in none of the three levels of government cracks 50%.

Trust in the federal government

26%

Trust in Tennessee state government

40%

Trust in your local city or county government

41%

The Tennessee state legislature is fairly popular among Tennessee voters.

53% of voters approve of the job they are doing and 38% disapprove. The legislature is extremely popular with Republicans (+55%), mildly above water with Independents (+3%), and underwater among Democrats (-45%).

58%

In the race for U.S. Senate, incumbent Republican Bill Hagerty leads Democrat Marquita Bradshaw by 25 points (58%-33%) among likely voters

55%

In the race for governor, Republican Marsha Blackburn leads Democrat Jerri Green 55% to 34% among likely voters, a 21-point lead.

Tennesseans turn on Trump?

For the first time in the history of the Beacon Poll, President Trump’s job approval in Tennessee has gone underwater. Just 48% of voters approve of the job he is doing, and 51% disapprove (-3%).

AUGUST 2026 POLL

See the Latest Poll

Additional Insights

How do Tennesseans view presidential pardons?

36% of Tennessee voters believe that presidential pardons are used to protect political allies and friends, while just 14% believe they are used to correct injustices in the legal system. A plurality of voters (41%) believe that it is a mix of both.

JANUARY 2026 POLL

46%

of voters oppose U.S. involvement in foreign conflicts.

66%

of Tennesseans say that the government should never consider race or gender to determine who qualifies for certain programs or who can serve on official agency boards.