Overview

• Sources say Hegseth has held serious private discussions about a 2026 governor’s run in Tennessee, though he has not announced any formal campaign plans.
• Defense Department regulations bar civilian employees from seeking elected office, meaning Hegseth must resign before officially entering the race.
• Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell dismissed the reports as fake news and affirmed Hegseth’s continued focus on his defense secretary duties.
• Tennessee law requires seven years of residency for gubernatorial candidates, but public records show Hegseth has lived in the state for roughly three years.
• It remains unclear whether Hegseth will move forward with a bid as legal barriers and official denials leave the prospect unresolved.