Cookeville elections · Candidate listing
Charles Van Morgan
Independent
Election day:
Background
Local 3 News describes Van Morgan as a business owner and former police officer. The 2026 Main Street Media questionnaire also quotes him describing prior public service and law-enforcement experience; it does not specify how long he has lived in the area.
Sources: Local 3 News, “DECISION 2026: Tennessee Governor candidates”, Main Street Media, “Main Street’s Q&A with independent governor candidates” (2026)
What the candidate has said
Statements are attributed to the linked sources.
School vouchers
He supports expanding school vouchers, with oversight, annual reviews and comparable testing to track outcomes.
Main Street Media, “Main Street’s Q&A with independent governor candidates” (2026)Rural healthcare
He wants to recruit hospitals and health providers, aiming for a hospital in every Tennessee county and better access to emergency care close to home.
Main Street Media, “Main Street’s Q&A with independent governor candidates” (2026)Roads and groceries
He opposes expanding choice lanes, saying interstate travel should be available without an additional toll, and supports eliminating the state sales tax on groceries.
Main Street Media, “Main Street’s Q&A with independent governor candidates” (2026)
Also running for Governor of Tennessee
- Misam AbidiIndependent
- Marsha BlackburnRepublican
- Dean BrewerIndependent
- Ray BrownIndependent
- Jerri GreenDemocratic
- David HatleyIndependent
- Wendell JacksonIndependent
- Lauren PinkstonIndependent
- Victor L. ScogginIndependent
- Dave SeemanIndependent
- Karl Knox SmithsonIndependent
- L. Webb TaylorIndependent
- Robert C. VickIndependent