Tennessee Gubernatorial Candidate Jerri Green Outlines Policy Agenda

Green vows to end 287(g) agreements, defund ICE, expand Medicaid, and repeal state's abortion ban if elected

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Democratic candidate for Tennessee governor, Jerri Green, spoke to community members in Kingsport about her policy platform, which includes ending the state's 287(g) immigration enforcement agreements, defunding ICE, expanding Medicaid, repealing the state's near-total abortion ban, raising the minimum wage, and eliminating the state's school voucher program.

Why it matters

Green's policy proposals represent a stark contrast to the current Republican administration in Tennessee and could have significant impacts on issues like healthcare access, reproductive rights, and education funding if she were to be elected.

The details

Green said she would end 287(g) agreements that allow local law enforcement to collaborate with federal immigration authorities, as well as reject further deployments of the National Guard for immigration enforcement. She also pledged to defund ICE and allocate those resources towards supporting immigrant communities. On healthcare, Green vowed to prioritize Medicaid expansion and invest in mental health and addiction recovery services. She also said she would repeal Tennessee's near-total abortion ban and expand free HIV testing. For education, Green said she would eliminate the state's school voucher program and instead direct funding towards public schools. She also proposed raising the minimum wage and creating childcare subsidies.

  • Green announced her gubernatorial campaign in January 2026.
  • The 2026 Tennessee gubernatorial election is scheduled for November 3, 2026.

The players

Jerri Green

The Democratic candidate for Tennessee governor in the 2026 election.

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What they’re saying

“We don't need to be in any way working with ICE. ICE needs to be defunded, abolished and we need to be putting those resources to actually help people; we're spending billions of dollars to terrorize communities when we could be building them up.”

— Jerri Green, Democratic Candidate for Tennessee Governor (wjhl.com)

“We should not be playing Russian Roulette with people's lives. There are ways and spaces that a governor's budget can stand in the gap and help people in need; can prioritize people over profits.”

— Jerri Green, Democratic Candidate for Tennessee Governor (wjhl.com)

“Ridiculous and unsafe gun laws like permit-less carry and allowing guns to be stored unlocked in cars dramatically affected Memphis. We went from having a couple of hundred guns stolen out of cars every year to a couple thousand; we became number one in the nation.”

— Jerri Green, Democratic Candidate for Tennessee Governor (wjhl.com)

What’s next

Green is continuing her statewide campaign tour to meet with voters and discuss her policy agenda ahead of the November 2026 election.

The takeaway

Jerri Green's progressive policy platform, which includes expanding healthcare access, protecting reproductive rights, strengthening gun regulations, and investing in public education, represents a significant departure from the current Republican administration in Tennessee and could reshape the state's political landscape if she is elected governor.