Lauren Pinkston

Lauren Pinkston earned a high school diploma from McNairy Central High School, a bachelor's degree from Freed-Hardeman University in 2009, and a Ph.D. from Clemson University in 2019. Her career experience includes working in business development.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Lauren is a wife, mother of 4 kids born on 3 continents, and a 7th generation Tennessean. She grew up in rural McNairy County where she learned the values of family, community, and shared responsibility. Following in her mother’s footsteps, she earned a degree in elementary education, then began teaching while her husband finished medical school. Together, they navigated early careers, international moves, and the challenges of raising a family abroad.

For over 15 years, Lauren has worked to confront human trafficking and create safe, dignified opportunities for survivors. She helped launch businesses in Southeast Asia that employ survivors of trafficking and political persecution, and partnered with global organizations to develop ethical frameworks allowing people to rebuild their lives with dignity.

Lauren witnessed political realities while abroad that deepened her appreciation for American democracy and the responsibility it requires to keep it. Combined with the frustrating partisan gridlock at home, these experiences inspired her to return home and serve as an independent leader focused on results, not politics.

Lauren is running for governor to bring practical, principled leadership back to the highest office in our state. She will lead in a way that protects our children, respects our taxpayers, and builds a Tennessee where everyone has a fair chance to thrive.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

A sleeping giant is waking up in this state, and it isn't red or blue. Most voters in Tennessee are nonpartisan, outnumbering registered Republicans, and 89% of all voters say they want leaders to stop fighting and solve problems.

Tennessee had the lowest voter turnout in the nation during the last governor's race. This is not because Tennesseans are lazy or don't care, but because as both parties grow more extreme, common sense candidates get pushed out and voters are left with options that don't reflect them.

That sleeping giant? It is the majority of Tennesseans who want to vote FOR someone, not just against someone. Lauren is running because you deserve to see yourself reflected in your leaders.For 15 years, Dr. Lauren Pinkston built businesses across the globe to provide dignified employment for survivors of human trafficking and political persecution. Her research has focused on economic empowerment and growing capital for survivors of complex trauma, helping them earn meaningful income rather than remain dependent on governments or aid organizations.

She has founded international nonprofits and managed multinational teams while growing her family across three continents. Tennessee is full of intelligent people, and it deserves intelligent leadership. If Lauren can build sustainable communities across languages and cultures, she can absolutely deliver results for Tennessee.Ideas should compete, not people.

Tennessee's own Senator Lamar Alexander, a long-respected conservative, even recently admitted that our one-party state had created lazy and ineffective governance.

Our state's supermajority has wasted countless taxpayer dollars passing legislation quickly ruled unconstitutional. In 2026, we should be focused on solving serious problems with serious respect for the taxes paid by hardworking Tennesseans.

It seems we are capitalists everywhere besides our politics, and voters are ready for a competitive candidate who can hold to values above party platforms. Lauren is running to make sure Tennessee's debates are won by the best ideas, not the loudest party.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Lauren is passionate about lowering the cost of living, strengthening education and workforce pathways, and restoring government accountability. Tennesseans should be able to afford their lives through honest work. Her 15 years combating human trafficking showed her firsthand how economic opportunity and dignified work transform lives.

As an educator and researcher, she believes strong schools are the foundation of a thriving economy, and workforce policy should ensure students can build stable careers post-graduation. But none of that is possible without a government that works for the people it serves. Tennesseans deserve a government that is transparent, responsive, and accountable to voters, not political parties or special interests.