John Rose is a 60-year-old U.S. Representative (serving since 2019) from Tennessee's 6th Congressional District who announced his candidacy for governor in March 2025. A Cookeville businessman and farmer, Rose has business and agriculture experience, previously serving as Tennessee's Commissioner of Agriculture and state chair of the Future Farmers of America. He is a Trump supporter but distinguishes himself from Blackburn by emphasizing practical governance and constituent-focused problem-solving over ideological positioning.
John Rose was born in 1965 and grew up in Tennessee. He earned degrees from the University of Tennessee and has worked as a businessman in the IT sector and as a farmer. He served as Tennessee's Commissioner of Agriculture before being elected to Congress in 2018. Rose represents Tennessee's 6th Congressional District, which covers parts of middle and east Tennessee. He is known for his focus on agricultural issues, business development, and constituent services. He is married and a father.