Three Candidates Vie to Replace Retiring Tennessee Lt. Governor

Randy McNally, a longtime state senator, is stepping down after decades in office.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Three candidates have entered the race to succeed Tennessee Lt. Governor Randy McNally, who is retiring after serving in the state legislature for decades. McNally, a longtime state senator from Oak Ridge, has held the lieutenant governor position since 2017.

Why it matters

The lieutenant governor is a powerful position in Tennessee's government, overseeing the state Senate and wielding significant influence over the legislative process. McNally's retirement after over 30 years in office creates an open seat that has attracted interest from several candidates.

The details

The three candidates vying to replace McNally are all current state legislators: Republican State Senator Jack Johnson, Democratic State Representative Karen Camper, and Independent State Representative John DeBerry Jr. Each candidate brings a different political background and policy platform to the race.

  • Randy McNally announced his retirement in January 2026.
  • The Tennessee primary election is scheduled for August 6, 2026.
  • The general election will take place on November 3, 2026.

The players

Randy McNally

The retiring Tennessee lieutenant governor, who has held the position since 2017 after serving in the state legislature for over 30 years.

Jack Johnson

A Republican state senator running to succeed McNally as lieutenant governor.

Karen Camper

A Democratic state representative running to succeed McNally as lieutenant governor.

John DeBerry Jr.

An independent state representative running to succeed McNally as lieutenant governor.

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What they’re saying

“A lot of reasons that people could say, 'Don't do it,'”

— Randy McNally, Retiring Lieutenant Governor (The Oakridger)

What’s next

The Tennessee primary election is scheduled for August 6, 2026, where voters will choose the Republican, Democratic, and independent nominees for lieutenant governor. The general election will then take place on November 3, 2026.

The takeaway

The race to succeed the long-serving Randy McNally as Tennessee's lieutenant governor has attracted a diverse field of candidates, reflecting the state's political landscape. Voters will have a range of options to choose from in shaping the future leadership of this powerful office.