Jerri Green, two independents to debate on Tuesday – Nashville Banner

Jerri Green, two independents to debate on Tuesday  Nashville Banner

Jerri Green, David Hatley, and Lauren Pinkston are set to debate Tuesday. Watch the livestream from MTSU hosted by the Tennessee Press Association. Democrat Jerri Green and independents David Hatley and Lauren Pinkston will debate each other Tuesday, marking the only debate between gubernatorial candidates this election cycle. The elephant in the room — or rather the pachyderm not in the room — is Republican frontrunner Marsha Blackburn, who has declined to debate her opponents in the general and primary elections. Instead of participating, Blackburn is hosting a get-out-the-vote rally in Hendersonville at the same time. Nashville Banner members get the reporting they need to vote informed, backed by a newsroom that holds your government accountable long after the polls close.

Green initially said she would not debate Hatley and Pinkston — who are polling around 10 percent and 1 percent, respectively — because they did not meet the 15 percent threshold used in national debates if Blackburn didn’t participate. The Tennessee Press Association will host the event at Middle Tennessee State University, but it won’t be open to the public. Instead, it will be livestreamed by TPA member publications, including the Banner. You will be able to watch the debate on this page when it’s live. For more information about the November 3 election, visit our voter guide. You've