OutKick founder Clay Travis revealed the candidates he supported after casting his ballot during Tennessee’s early voting period for the August 6 Republican primary elections, publicly backing U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) for governor, U.S. Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN) for reelection, and State Senator Brent Taylor (R-Memphis) for Tennessee’s 9th Congressional District.
“Just early voted in the Tennessee primary. Unlike many in media I tell you exactly how I vote,” Travis wrote on X. “[Marsha Blackburn] for governor, [Bill Hagerty] for senate & [Brent Taylor] for House. Had no idea I was in Tennessee 9 now! Get out and vote.”
Just early voted in the Tennessee primary. Unlike many in media I tell you exactly how I vote. @MarshaBlackburn for governor, @SenatorHagerty for senate & @BrentTaylorTN for House. Had no idea I was in Tennessee 9 now! Get out and vote.
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) July 23, 2026
Early voting for Tennessee’s August 6 primary began July 17 and continues through August 1.
Taylor thanked Travis for his support, writing, “Thank you for your vote, [Clay]! I’m glad to have your support along with [President Donald Trump]. Let’s Take Tennessee to the Top!”
Hagerty also responded, saying, “Appreciate your support, [Clay]! Just as Clay has done, I encourage you all to get out and bank your vote early until August 1st!”
Blackburn echoed the message, writing, “Thank you for your vote, [Clay]! Let’s win, [Brent Taylor] [Bill Hagerty].”
Blackburn is seeking the Republican nomination for governor against U.S. Rep. John Rose (R-TN-06) and State Rep. Monty Fritts (R-Kingston).
During a recent exclusive interview with The Tennessee Star’s CEO and Editor-in-Chief Michael Patrick Leahy, Blackburn outlined a conservative agenda centered on shrinking state government as responsibilities shift from Washington to the states, expanding school choice, strengthening immigration enforcement, promoting economic growth, and making Tennessee “America’s conservative leader.”
Hagerty has advanced to the general election after qualifying as the sole Republican candidate for his U.S. Senate seat. The incumbent, who previously secured President Donald Trump’s endorsement, will appear on the November 3 general election ballot against a to-be-determined Democratic nominee.
Taylor is running in the Republican primary for Tennessee’s newly redrawn 9th Congressional District, where he faces State Rep. Todd Warner (R-Chapel Hill), Charlotte Bergmann, and Jeremy Thompson. President Trump has formally endorsed Taylor in the race.
The Tennessee General Assembly approved the new congressional map during its May special session, creating a district that stretches from Memphis to the Nashville suburbs and includes Hardeman, McNairy, Hardin, Wayne, Lawrence, Giles, Lincoln, Moore, Bedford, Marshall, and portions of Shelby, Fayette, Maury, Williamson, and Rutherford counties.
Taylor has said the newly configured district closely resembles the congressional district where he unsuccessfully ran for Congress in 2002, arguing it reflects Tennessee’s mix of urban, suburban, and rural communities and is representative of the state as a whole.
The Tennessee Comptroller’s Office has published the state’s revised congressional district maps following the General Assembly’s redistricting plan. Voters can view detailed maps of each district, look up their revised district by address, and access a list of candidates on the Comptroller’s website.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
Photo “Clay Travis” by The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show.
