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What to expect in Tennessee’s primary election on Thursday

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What to expect in Tennessee’s primary election on Thursday


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As Tennessee prepares for today’s primary elections, all eyes are on Democratic State Rep. Gloria Johnson’s bid for the U.S. Senate and MAGA darling Andy Ogles’ fight to retain his U.S. House seat.

Gloria Johnson vs. Marsha Blackburn

Gloria Johnson, who is ahead in fundraising and has led in some polls, is already targeting incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn.

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Her campaign has been fueled by the momentum she gained after narrowly surviving an expulsion effort by Tennessee’s Republican House supermajority in 2023. The expulsion attempt came after she joined two Democratic colleagues in a gun control protest following the tragic Covenant School shooting.

More: Johnson, Bradshaw vie for Democratic US Senate nomination, seek to push party ahead

Johnson’s defiance resonated nationally, drawing support from high-profile figures like Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden. Now, Johnson aims to convert this support into voter turnout and challenge the GOP’s longstanding dominance within the state.

“This is doable, folks,” Johnson said. “In 2018, Marsha Blackburn won by 200,000 votes. We know there are 300,000 Democratic voters who haven’t voted in the last few cycles. We get those folks to the polls, we win this race.”

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Johnson’s campaign has raised over $5 million thus far, with over $2 million on hand. She believes that with sufficient funding, Tennessee’s relatively inexpensive media markets could help flip the Senate seat.

Despite the enthusiasm, the challenge remains steep. No Democrat has won a statewide race in Tennessee since 2006. Johnson is counting on the political energy from the “Tennessee Three” incident to drive an unprecedented Democratic turnout.

More Democratic hopefuls emerge

Marquita Bradshaw and Civil Miller-Watkins are also contenders in the Democratic primary.

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Bradshaw is drawing on her experience from her 2020 Senate campaign. In 2020, Bradshaw made history as the first African American woman to win a major political party nomination in Tennessee’s statewide races and currently serves as the executive director of Sowing Justice, an environmental and political organization.

Meanwhile, Civil Miller-Watkins is a middle-school teacher who currently serves as secretary of the TN Democratic County Chairs Association. She has strong ties with the NAACP and previously served as chair of the Fayette County Democratic Party.

MAGA darling Andy Ogles looks to retain U.S. House seat

In Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District, Trump-endorsed Andy Ogles faces a primary challenge from Nashville Metro Council member Courtney Johnston, who is viewed as more moderate.

With $500,000 in cash on hand, Johnston has outpaced Ogles, who reported only $95,000 earlier this month. “We’re taking nothing for granted,” Ogles told Punchbowl News. “We’re being outspent, but we’re working harder. We’ve got the grassroots and our polling looks good. You never take your foot off the gas.”

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Despite Ogles’ optimism, concerns among his allies are growing. The far-right Freedom Caucus is reeling from Chair Rep. Bob Good’s exceedingly slender loss in the June primary – less than 400 votes. Virginia’s 5th Congressional District is still amid a recount, but if Good falls short, he would become the first House Freedom Caucus chairman to lose reelection.

Ogles, who aims to chair the caucus, has faced scrutiny over his campaign finances and alleged resume embellishments. Reports indicate Ogles had to correct his FEC filings to reflect a $20,000 loan to his campaign, not the previously reported $320,000. Additionally, local news has raised questions about discrepancies in his educational and business credentials.

Johnston has capitalized on these controversies, portraying herself as a champion of good governance and contrasting her candidacy with Ogles’ purported headline-chasing. 

Ogles has introduced numerous bills throughout his congressional tenure, though none have passed the committee. More recently, he introduced a measure to impeach Vice President Kamala Harris. 

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Jeremy Yurow is a politics reporting fellow based in Hawaii for the USA TODAY Network. You can reach him at JYurow@gannett.com or on X, formerly Twitter @JeremyYurow



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Tennessee Football DB Transfer Boo Carter Visits the Vols Rival

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Tennessee Football DB Transfer Boo Carter Visits the Vols Rival


The Tennessee Volunteers are looking to land many of the nation’s best players in the transfer portal to replace the players who have already announced they are transferring away from Tennessee. One of the players they lost very early on to the portal, and his plans of entering the portal is Boo Carter.

Carter is someone who has quickly made a name for himself, as he played for the Vols as a freshman. He also played for the Tennessee Vols this past season before suffering an injury that sidelined him for the rest of the season. Carter entered the portal and left an announcement on his X page for those interested. Here is what was said.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank The University of Tennessee Coaches, administrators and fans for a wonderful 2 years. Unfortunately my season has been cut short due to injury. I have decided to enter the transfer portal and I am excited about the opportunities going forward!-Boo Carter”

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Boo Carter Visits Vanderbilt

Tennessee defensive back Boo Carter (23) pulls on his jersey during Tennessee football preseason practice, in Knoxville, Tennessee, Aug. 6, 2025. | Angelina Alcantar/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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Now that the portal is here, he has started to hear from many teams, including a team many anticipated to be in the picture. The Vols DB heard from the Vanderbilt staff and is now reportedly visiting them. This is a school where many of his friends go currently, and a school that has been doing well, but it is no secret that this is one of the Vols’ biggest rivalries.

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He is undecided on a possible commitment somewhere, but the reports have started to indicate that the Commodores are a team to watch moving forward. This will be one to watch for the Vols, as there is a good chance they may see Carter next season.

“Dynamic athlete who quickly made an impact on defense and special teams as a true freshman … Earned the starting STAR position and shined while becoming a dangerous weapon as a punt returner as a true freshman in 2024 … Saw action as a slot receiver as well during 2025 spring practices … Early enrollee in January 2024 who participated in Citrus Bowl practices and spring practice before his true freshman season … Has compiled 63 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, three forced fumbles, three pass breakups and one interception on defense in his career … Dynamic punt returner who averages 16.0 yards per return in his career … Played in 21 career games and made five starts,” the Tennessee Vols athletics website stated.

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Tennessee Football Misses on Major Transfer Portal Target

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Tennessee Football Misses on Major Transfer Portal Target


The Tennessee Volunteers have been looking to land the best of the best when it comes to the transfer portal, and they have been targeting the best, but as of recently, all it has been is a bunch of swings and misses.

The Vols have missed yet again, as they have failed to land one of their top targets on their board when it comes to the college football transfer portal at a position that they currently need more than any. That position is the cornerback position, which is one that they need very badly.

The player that they failed to land in this go-around is Troy cornerback Jaquez White. White is one of the better players that the portal has seen at the position, as he was easily named as a top portal target for many. He was seriously looking at Tennessee, and the Vols were ready to bring him in, but instead, he has opted to commit to the Virginia Tech Hokies. The Hokies have done a decent job in the portal thus far, but their portal class has definitely improved following the addition of White.

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Whether this is a money thing or the Vols just couldn’t do enough convincing, the point is that they have missed on guys left and right recently. The vision isn’t clear, but fans are hopeful that it will be soon.

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Here is what White did in his 2025 season according to the Troy website.

Jaquez White’s 2025 Season

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Troy Trojans cornerback Jaquez White (8) tackles Clemson Tigers running back Adam Randall (8) Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025 during the NCAA football game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina. | Alex Martin/Greenville News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

“Earned All-Sun Belt Second Team honors … Ranked third in the league (seventh nationally) with 14 total passes defended and fourth (15th nationally) with 11 pass break ups … Started 12 games and played in all 14 contests … Returned an interception 30 yards for a touchdown in Troy’s victory over Louisiana; added interceptions against Nicholls and in Sun Belt Championship Game at James Madison … Finished season with 67 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and a sack … Sack came in Troy’s win over South Alabama; added five tackles, a quarterback hurry and a pass break up in the game … Season-best seven tackles against Memphis … Broke up four passes in win at ULM and had a pair at Southern Miss … Troy’s top-rated defender per PFF with an 87.6 rating … Played 879 defensive snaps, second most on the team … Third-rated cornerback in the country (min. 700 snaps) per PFF and fourth-rated cover corner … Held opponents to a 54.5 reception percentage (36-of-66).”

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Tennessee football DL Josh Schell enters transfer portal

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Tennessee football DL Josh Schell enters transfer portal


Tennessee defensive lineman Josh Schell has entered the transfer portal, he announced on social media on Jan. 6.

Schell had a short stint at Tennessee after transferring from Grand Valley State in April. He played all 13 games and made one tackle in the 2025 season.

Schell played more than 100 snaps, mostly on special teams. He never cracked the rotation on the defensive line.

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Schell spent three seasons at Grand Valley State, including a redshirt year, and one season at Tennessee. He has one season of eligibility remaining.

The 6-foot-4, 265-pounder is from Camden, New Jersey. His best college season was 2024 at Grand Valley State, when he played 13 games and recorded 35 tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, six pass breakups, three quarterback hurries, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

He was also a pitcher on the Grand Valley State baseball game in the 2023 season.

Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.

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