2024 United States presidential election in Tennessee

For related races, see 2024 United States presidential election.

2024 United States presidential election in Tennessee

←  2020 November 5, 2024 2028 →

Nominee Donald Trump Kamala Harris Party Republican Democratic Home state Florida California Running mate JD Vance Tim Walz Electoral vote 11 0 Popular vote 1,964,499 1,055,039 Percentage 64.09% 34.42%

County results Congressional district results Trump   50–60%   60–70%   70–80%   80–90% Harris   40–50%   60–70%   70–80%

President before election Joe Biden Democratic Elected President Donald Trump Republican

The 2024 United States presidential election in Tennessee took place on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, as part of the 2024 United States elections in which all 50 states plus the District of Columbia will participate. Tennessee voters have chosen electors to represent them in the Electoral College via a popular vote. The state of Tennessee has 11 electoral votes in the Electoral College, following reapportionment due to the 2020 United States census in which the state neither gained nor lost a seat. ^[1]

A Southern state in the heart of the Bible Belt, no Democrat has won Tennessee's electoral votes since Bill Clinton of neighboring Arkansas, who shared the ticket with favorite son Al Gore, in 1996, nor has it been contested at the presidential level since 2000, when Gore narrowly lost his home state by less than 4 points.

Incumbent Democratic President Joe Biden initially ran for re-election and became the party's presumptive nominee. ^[2] However, following what was widely viewed as a poor performance in the June 2024 presidential debate and amid increasing age and health concerns from within his party, he withdrew from the race on July 21 and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, who launched her presidential campaign the same day. ^[3] Biden's withdrawal from the race makes him the first eligible president not to stand for re-election since Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968.

Former President and Republican nominee Donald Trump ran for re-election to a second non-consecutive term after losing in 2020. ^[4] Independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. gathered the required signatures to be on the ballot. ^[5] Despite that, he dropped out of the race and endorsed Trump.

Tennessee voted for Trump by a wide margin in the election, with him winning the state by 29.7%. ^[6] Trump received more than 1.96 million votes which was a record for votes cast for any candidate in the history of Tennessee. This is the best performance from a Republican candidate in the state since 1972.

Trump was able to increase his support in the Nashville metropolitan area, particularly in the suburban counties of Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Sumner, and Cheatham, performing similarly to his 2016 results. He gained ground in every county and even recaptured some support in Shelby and Davidson counties, home to Memphis and Nashville, as well as in Hamilton County (Chattanooga) and Knox County (Knoxville). Trump came close to flipping majority-Black Haywood County, losing it by just 25 votes. Notably, Haywood County voted Republican in the Senate congressional race on the same ballot. This was the closest the county has come to voting Republican in a presidential race since 1988.

Primary elections

Democratic primary

Main article: 2024 Tennessee Democratic presidential primary

The Tennessee Democratic primary was held on Super Tuesday, March 5, 2024. President Biden won the state in a landslide, earning all 63 pledged delegates

Popular vote share by county

  Biden

•   80–90%
    >90%

Tennessee Democratic primary, March 5, 2024 ^{[7] [8]}

Candidate	Votes	Percentage	Actual delegate count
			Pledged	Unpledged	Total
Joe Biden (incumbent)	122,803	92.14%	63		63
Uncommitted	10,475	7.86%	0		0
Total:	133,278	100.00%	63	7	70

Republican primary

Main article: 2024 Tennessee Republican presidential primary

The Tennessee Republican primary was held on Super Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Former president Donald J. Trump was challenged by Nikki Haley, the only other major candidate remaining in the Republican primaries. Trump won the state in a landslide, defeating Haley by 57.8 points and earning all 58 delegates.

Popular vote share by county

  Trump

•   60–70%
    70–80%
    80–90%
    >90%

Tennessee Republican primary, March 5, 2024 ^{[9] [10]}

Candidate	Votes	Percentage	Actual delegate count
			Bound	Unbound	Total
Donald Trump	446,850	77.33%	58	0	58
Nikki Haley	112,958	19.55%	0	0	0
Ron DeSantis (withdrawn)	7,947	1.38%	0	0	0
Uncommitted	4,884	0.85%	0	0	0
Chris Christie (withdrawn)	1,874	0.32%	0	0	0
Vivek Ramaswamy (withdrawn)	1,714	0.30%	0	0	0
Ryan Binkley (withdrawn)	722	0.13%	0	0	0
Asa Hutchinson (withdrawn)	533	0.09%	0	0	0
David Stuckenberg	352	0.06%	0	0	0
Total:	577,834	100.00%	58	0	58

General election

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
Cook Political Report [11]	Solid R	December 19, 2023
Inside Elections [12]	Solid R	April 26, 2023
Sabato's Crystal Ball [13]	Safe R	June 29, 2023
Decision Desk HQ/The Hill [14]	Safe R	December 14, 2023
CNalysis [15]	Solid R	December 30, 2023
CNN [16]	Solid R	January 14, 2024
The Economist [17]	Safe R	June 12, 2024
538 [6]	Solid R	June 11, 2024
RCP [18]	Solid R	June 26, 2024
NBC News [19]	Safe R	October 6, 2024

Polling

Donald Trump vs. Kamala Harris

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [a]	Margin of error	Donald Trump Republican	Kamala Harris Democratic	Other / Undecided
ActiVote [20]	October 5−28, 2024	400 (LV)	± 4.9%	62%	38%	–
ActiVote [21]	September 24 – October 16, 2024	400 (LV)	± 4.9%	62%	38%	–
ActiVote [22]	July 26 – August 29, 2024	400 (LV)	± 4.9%	63%	37%	–

Donald Trump vs. Kamala Harris vs. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. vs. Cornel West vs. Jill Stein vs. Chase Oliver

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [a]	Margin of error	Donald Trump Republican	Kamala Harris Democratic	Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Independent	Cornel West Independent	Jill Stein Green	Chase Oliver Libertarian	Other / Undecided
Targoz Market Research [23] [A]	September 27 – October 8, 2024	1,200 (RV)	± 2.8%	54%	35%	5%	–	1%	1%	4%
		971 (LV)		56%	35%	5%	–	0%	1%	3%

Hypothetical polling with Donald Trump and Joe Biden

Donald J. Trump vs. Joe Biden

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [a]	Margin of error	Donald Trump Republican	Joe Biden Democratic	Other / Undecided
John Zogby Strategies [24] [B]	April 13–21, 2024	510 (LV)	–	59%	35%	6%
Targoz Market Research [25] [A]	March 15 – April 2, 2024	1,139 (RV)	± 2.8%	60%	31%	9%
		974 (LV)		55%	31%	14%
Mainstreet Research/Florida Atlantic University [26]	February 29 – March 3, 2024	216 (RV)	–	58%	34%	8% [b]
		201 (LV)		59%	34%	7% [b]
Targoz Market Research [27] [A]	December 14–28, 2023	1,139 (RV)	± 2.7%	61%	30%	9%
		929 (LV)		63%	31%	5%
Siena College [28] [C]	November 5–10, 2023	805 (A)	± 3.8%	49%	20%	31%
Targoz Market Research [29] [A]	October 5–16, 2023	1,075 (RV)	± 2.8%	59%	29%	12%
		835 (LV)		61%	30%	9%
Emerson College [30]	October 1–4, 2023	410 (RV)	± 4.8%	55%	22%	23%
Targoz Market Research [31] [A]	June 14–22, 2023	1,120 (RV)	± 2.9%	51%	32%	17%
		1,046 (LV)		54%	34%	11%
SSRS/Vanderbilt University [32]	April 19–23, 2023	502 (RV)	–	42%	26%	31%

Donald Trump vs. Joe Biden vs. Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [a]	Margin of error	Donald Trump Republican	Joe Biden Democratic	Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Independent	Other / Undecided
Targoz Market Research [33] [A]	June 20 – July 1, 2024	1,152 (RV)	± 2.8%	55%	28%	7%	10%
		962 (LV)		58%	28%	5%	9%
SSRS/Vanderbilt University [34]	April 26 – May 9, 2024	1,003 (RV)	± 3.4%	47%	29%	8%	16% [c]
Targoz Market Research [25] [A]	March 15 – April 2, 2024	1,139 (RV)	± 2.8%	48%	25%	16%	11%
		974 (LV)		47%	28%	15%	10%
Targoz Market Research [27] [A]	December 14–28, 2023	1,187 (RV)	± 2.7%	48%	23%	17%	12%
		929 (LV)		51%	25%	16%	8%
SSRS/Vanderbilt University [35]	November 14 – December 2, 2023	1,005 (RV)	± 3.4%	45%	26%	12%	17%
Targoz Market Research [29] [A]	October 5–16, 2023	1,164 (RV)	± 2.8%	46%	18%	22%	14%
		872 (LV)		48%	23%	19%	10%

Donald Trump vs. Joe Biden vs. Joe Manchin as an Independent

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [a]	Margin of error	Donald Trump Republican	Joe Biden Democratic	Joe Manchin Independent	Other / Undecided
Targoz Market Research [29] [A]	October 5–16, 2023	1,118 (RV)	± 2.8%	52%	21%	5%	22%
		844 (LV)		53%	23%	6%	18%

Hypothetical polling with other candidates

Donald Trump vs. Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [a]	Margin of error	Donald Trump Republican	Robert Kennedy Jr. Independent	Other / Undecided
John Zogby Strategies [24] [B]	April 13–21, 2024	510 (LV)	–	52%	35%	13%

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. vs. Joe Biden

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [a]	Margin of error	Robert Kennedy Jr. Independent	Joe Biden Democratic	Other / Undecided
John Zogby Strategies [24] [B]	April 13–21, 2024	510 (LV)	–	55%	31%	14%

Ron DeSantis vs. Joe Biden

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [a]	Margin of error	Ron DeSantis Republican	Joe Biden Democratic	Other / Undecided
Targoz Market Research [31] [A]	June 14–22, 2023	1,120 (RV)	± 2.9%	46%	32%	22%
		977 (LV)		52%	36%	11%
SSRS/Vanderbilt University [32]	April 19–23, 2023	502 (RV)	–	33%	24%	40%

Results

2024 United States presidential election in Tennessee ^[36]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Donald Trump JD Vance	1,964,499	64.09%	+3.43%
	Democratic	Kamala Harris Tim Walz	1,055,039	34.42%	−3.03%
	Independent	Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (withdrawn) Nicole Shanahan (withdrawn)	21,511	0.70%	N/A
	Green	Jill Stein [d] Samson Kpadenou [e]	8,953	0.29%	+0.14%
	Independent	Jay Bowman De Bowman	5,855	0.19%	N/A
	Socialism and Liberation	Claudia de la Cruz [d] Karina Garcia	3,451	0.11%	+0.03%
	Socialist Workers	Rachele Fruit [d] Dennis Richter	985	0.03%	−0.05%
	Write-in		4,692	0.15%
Total votes			3,064,985	100.00%

2024 Knoxville Ballot

Analysis

In Tennessee, Donald Trump achieved a decisive victory, winning by a margin of 909,460 votes, making it his third-largest state win in terms of vote count, following Texas and Florida. This election marks the third consecutive cycle in which a presidential candidate secured over 60% of the Tennessee votes. Notably, Trump improved his margins in every county and gained significant support across all demographics, performing better in suburban, rural, and urban areas. ^[37]

County shift map from 2020

See also

• United States presidential elections in Tennessee
• 2024 United States presidential election
• 2024 Democratic Party presidential primaries
• 2024 Republican Party presidential primaries
• 2024 United States Senate election in Tennessee
• 2024 Tennessee elections
• 2024 United States elections

Notes

1. Key:
   A – all adults
   RV – registered voters
   LV – likely voters
   V – unclear
2. "Another candidate" with 4%
3. "Some other candidate" with 8%
4. Listed on the ballot without party affiliation.
5. Replacement for Butch Ware, Stein's vice presidential nominee.

Partisan clients

1. Poll sponsored by the Beacon Center of Tennessee
2. Poll conducted for Kennedy's campaign
3. Poll sponsored by The Tennessean

References

1. Wang, Hansi; Jin, Connie; Levitt, Zach (April 26, 2021). "Here's How The 1st 2020 Census Results Changed Electoral College, House Seats". NPR. Archived from the original on August 19, 2021. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
2. Kinery, Emma (April 25, 2023). "Biden launches 2024 reelection campaign, promising to fulfill economic policy vision". CNBC. Archived from the original on April 25, 2023. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
3. "Harris says she'll 'earn' nomination as Biden steps aside". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
4. Orr, Gabby (November 16, 2022). "Former President Donald Trump announces a White House bid for 2024". CNN.com. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
5. McCall, J. Holly. "Independent presidential candidate Robert Kennedy, Jr. submits Tennessee ballot petitions • Tennessee Lookout" . Retrieved July 18, 2024.
6. Morris, G. Elliott (June 11, 2024). "2024 Election Forecast". FiveThirtyEight. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
7. "March 5, 2024 Democratic Presidential Preference Primary" (PDF). Tennessee Secretary of State. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
8. "Tennessee Democratic Primary Election Results". The New York Times . Retrieved March 5, 2024.
9. "March 5, 2024 Republican Presidential Preference Primary" (PDF). Tennessee Secretary of State. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
10. "Tennessee Republican Primary Election Results". The New York Times . Retrieved March 5, 2024.
11. "2024 CPR Electoral College Ratings". cookpolitical.com. Cook Political Report. December 19, 2023. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
12. "Presidential Ratings". insideelections.com. Inside Elections. April 26, 2023. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
13. "2024 Electoral College ratings". centerforpolitics.org. University of Virginia Center for Politics. June 29, 2023. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
14. "2024 presidential predictions". elections2024.thehill.com/. The Hill. December 14, 2023. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
15. "2024 Presidential Forecast". projects.cnalysis.com/. CNalysis. December 30, 2023. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
16. "Electoral College map 2024: Road to 270". CNN . Retrieved January 14, 2024.
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18. "2024 RCP Electoral College Map". RealClearPolitics. June 26, 2024. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
19. "Presidential Election Preview 2024". NBC News.
20. Allis, Victor (October 29, 2024). "Trump Stays Far ahead in Tennessee". ActiVote.
21. Allis, Victor (October 17, 2024). "Trump again far ahead in Tennessee". ActiVote.
22. Allis, Victor (August 30, 2024). "Trump far ahead in Tennessee". ActiVote. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
23. "Beacon Poll: October 2024 Results". Beacon Center of Tennessee. October 15, 2024.
24. "Biden Is the Real Spoiler, Kennedy Only Candidate Who Can Beat Trump". Kennedy24. May 1, 2024.
25. "Beacon Poll of Tennessee March 15 to April 2, 2024" (PDF). Beacon Center of Tennessee. April 3, 2024.
26. "Mainstreet Research Survey - Super Tuesday States" (PDF). FAU Polling. March 4, 2024.
27. "Beacon Poll of Tennessee Dec. 14 to 28, 2023" (PDF). Beacon Center of Tennessee. January 3, 2024.
28. Jones, Vivian (December 17, 2023). "Tennesseans back Trump but a nearly third of GOP says party on the wrong track, poll shows". The Tennessean. Archived from the original on September 28, 2024.
29. "Beacon Poll of Tennessee Oct. 5 to 16, 2023" (PDF). Beacon Center of Tennessee. October 22, 2023.
30. Mumford, Camille (October 17, 2023). "Tennessee 2024 Poll: Republican Senator Blackburn Leads Democrat Gloria Johnson in Potential Matchup". Emerson Polling.
31. "Beacon Poll of Tennessee June 14 to 22, 2023" (PDF). Beacon Center of Tennessee. July 4, 2023.
32. "Vanderbilt University Tennessee Poll – Spring 2023" (PDF). Vanderbilt University. April 26, 2023.
33. "Beacon Poll of Tennessee June 20 to July 1, 2024" (PDF). Beacon Center of Tennessee. July 6, 2024.
34. Clinton, John G.; Geer, Joshua D. (May 22, 2024). "Spring 2024 - Vanderbilt Statewide Poll" (PDF). Vanderbilt University.
35. "Vanderbilt University Tennessee Poll – Fall 2023" (PDF). Vanderbilt University. December 8, 2023.
36. "Candidate Lists". Tennessee Secretary of State. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
37. "Tennessee Presidential Election Results". The New York Times. November 5, 2024. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved November 12, 2024.