Ray Brown, an electrician from Oliver Springs in Anderson County, is running as an independent for Tennessee governor in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.

Brown, whose full name is Edgar Ray Brown, filed his independent candidacy petition with the Tennessee Secretary of State on Jan. 14, 2026. That made him the earliest filer among the 13 independent gubernatorial candidates, according to Tennessee Firefly. The race also includes Marsha Blackburn (Republican) and Jerri Green (Democratic).

Brown is certified for the ballot, according to BallotReady election data.

Candidate information

  • Full name: Edgar Ray Brown
  • Party: Independent
  • Residence: Oliver Springs, Anderson County, Tennessee
  • Occupation: Electrician
  • Education: Associate's degree in science, Roane State Community College (2005); associate's degree in advanced materials technology, Roane State Community College (2011); associate's degree in electrical and electronics engineering, Pellissippi State Community College (2023)

Experience

Brown has worked as an electrician at the Y-12 National Security Complex since 2018, according to candidate records compiled by BallotReady. Before that, he served as an intelligence specialist at Delta 21 from 2011 to 2026, overlapping with his current position at Y-12.

His earlier career included work as a software tech at Sitel from 2010 to 2011 and as an assistant store manager at K-Va-T from 2008 to 2010. Brown earned his most recent degree, an associate's in electrical and electronics engineering from Pellissippi State Community College, in 2023.

On the issues

Brown listed one policy priority.

Government corruption: In a candidate questionnaire published by Daughter of Tennessee, Brown said, "I have the balls to stand up against corruption within both legislative and judicial system."

Candidate issue responses are drawn from the Daughter of Tennessee independent voter guide questionnaire. Responses reflect the candidate's own words and claims.

Other candidates

The race for governor includes 13 independent candidates along with Blackburn and Green. The other independents are Charles Van Morgan, Dave Seeman, David Hatley, Dean Brewer, Eddie Lee Murphy, Karl Knox Smithson, L. Webb Taylor, Lauren Pinkston, Misam Abidi, Robert C. Vick, Victor L. Scoggin and Wendell Jackson. A full list is available through the Tennessee Secretary of State.