This November 3, 2026, is Election Day. This year, two Independent Party candidates continue to build momentum in their campaigns, muddying the field for Republican Marsha Blackburn and Democrat Jerri Green.

Conservative-leaning businessman David Hatley has loaned his campaign $7 million for political advertising. Hatley says, "I think the polling we're got internally shows the temperature is a different climate right now. You know, everywhere we're going, our crowds are increasing, the polls move a lot." Hatley is vowing full transparency for the state budgeting process including electing a state auditor.

Liberal-leaning but fiscally conservative candidate Lauren Pinkston believes the state budget isn't productive. Pinkston says, "there's a lot of inefficiencies and waste there for sure, but when it comes to tax in Tennessee, I have zero interest in a statewide income tax." Pinkston says she is interested in repealing the grocery tax to keep more money in Tennesseans' pockets. She also proposes a data dividend funded by high-producing data companies operating in Tennessee.

Watch full shows Fridays 7pm on The Spot Nashville 28: over the air channel 28, Xfinity/Comcast 1028, DIRECTV Ch. 28, AT&T, CDE Lightband Ch. 21, DTC Communications Ch. 28 and other cable providers.

Stream it live through NewsChannel 5 Now app through Roku, AppleTV, AndroidTV, etc.
Available Fridays at 7:30pm Central Time at:
https://www.newschannel5.com/plus/inside-politics

This story was reported by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

This November 3, 2026, is Election Day. This year, two Independent Party candidates continue to build momentum in their campaigns, muddying the field for Republican Marsha Blackburn and Democrat Jerri Green.
Conservative-leaning businessman David Hatley has loaned his campaign $7 million for political advertising. Hatley says, "I think the polling we're got internally shows the temperature is a different climate right now. You know, everywhere we're going, our crowds are increasing, the polls move a lot." Hatley is vowing full transparency for the state budgeting process including electing a state auditor.
Liberal-leaning but fiscally conservative candidate Lauren Pinkston believes the state budget isn't productive. Pinkston says, "there's a lot of inefficiencies and waste there for sure, but when it comes to tax in Tennessee, I have zero interest in a statewide income tax." Pinkston says she is interested in repealing the grocery tax to keep more money in Tennesseans' pockets. She also proposes a data dividend funded by high-producing data companies operating in Tennessee.
Watch full shows Fridays 7pm on The Spot Nashville 28: over the air channel 28, Xfinity/Comcast 1028, DIRECTV Ch. 28, AT&amp;T, CDE Lightband Ch. 21, DTC Communications Ch. 28 and other cable providers.
Stream it live through NewsChannel 5 Now app through Roku, AppleTV, AndroidTV, etc. Available Fridays at 7:30pm Central Time at: <a href="https://www.newschannel5.com/plus/inside-politics">https://www.newschannel5.com/plus/inside-politics</a>
This story was reported by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

Inside Politics is a weekly, half-hour show televised by NewsChannel 5+ in Nashville, Tennessee. It premieres on Fridays at 7PM Central Time (Comcast Channel 250, Charter 182). This audio-only format of the show is identical to what is televised and is available anywhere you get your podcasts so you can listen outside of the viewing area or available for download in case you miss the televised broadcast. 

The show features numerous high-profile guests as well as historical and political subject matter experts including professors from Vanderbilt University, reporters from other Nashville news outlets, and household name politicians like Representative Jim Cooper, former Nashville Mayor Megan Barry, Congressman John Rose, Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton, and more. 

Pat Nolan serves as the show's host. Pat has worked as a political analyst and reporter in and around Nashville for almost fifty years. He has worked in television, radio, and for the Office of the Mayor in Nashville. He has covered breaking news stories, live election updates, and for many years served as announcer for Nashville Metro Council meetings. 

Inside Politics is a weekly, half-hour show televised by NewsChannel 5+ in Nashville, Tennessee. It premieres on Fridays at 7PM Central Time (Comcast Channel 250, Charter 182). This audio-only format of the show is identical to what is televised and is available anywhere you get your podcasts so you can listen outside of the viewing area or available for download in case you miss the televised broadcast. 
The show features numerous high-profile guests as well as historical and political subject matter experts including professors from Vanderbilt University, reporters from other Nashville news outlets, and household name politicians like Representative Jim Cooper, former Nashville Mayor Megan Barry, Congressman John Rose, Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton, and more. 
Pat Nolan serves as the show's host. Pat has worked as a political analyst and reporter in and around Nashville for almost fifty years. He has worked in television, radio, and for the Office of the Mayor in Nashville. He has covered breaking news stories, live election updates, and for many years served as announcer for Nashville Metro Council meetings.

Weekly political news show featuring lawmakers, political analysts, lawyers, panelists, and university professors.

Inside Politics - NewsChannel 5 Plus Nashville

 Inside Politics — Nashville’s go-to conversation for smart, in-depth political insight.

Every week,  Peabody award winning NewsChannel 5 investigative reporter Ben Hall sits down with the power players, power brokers, and policy experts shaping Tennessee and the nation. From in-depth interviews with political heavyweights like TN House Speaker Cameron Sexton, Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell, Congressman John Rose, Nashville Police Chief John Drake, and U.S. Representative Matt Van Epps, to sharp analysis from university professors, veteran reporters and subject matter experts — from Tennessee to D.C. these are the voices shaping our future. 

Inside Politics premieres on The Spot 28 every Friday at 7 p.m. Central (Comcast/Xfinity 1028 or over-the-air Ch. 28), this audio version is the exact broadcast — available anywhere you get your podcasts, so you won’t miss a beat no matter where you live.

If you care about the decisions shaping your community, Inside Politics delivers the conversations you need to hear.

 

 

 

 

&nbsp;Inside Politics&nbsp;&mdash; Nashville&rsquo;s go-to conversation for smart, in-depth political insight.
Every week,&nbsp; Peabody award winning NewsChannel 5 investigative reporter Ben Hall sits down with the power players, power brokers, and policy experts shaping Tennessee and the nation. From in-depth interviews with political heavyweights like TN House Speaker Cameron Sexton, Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell, Congressman John Rose, Nashville Police Chief John Drake, and U.S. Representative Matt Van Epps, to sharp analysis from university professors, veteran reporters and subject matter experts &mdash; from Tennessee to D.C. these are the voices shaping our future.&nbsp;
Inside Politics premieres on The Spot 28&nbsp;every Friday at 7 p.m. Central (Comcast/Xfinity 1028 or over-the-air Ch. 28), this&nbsp;audio version&nbsp;is the exact broadcast &mdash; available anywhere you get your podcasts, so you won&rsquo;t miss a beat no matter where you live.
If you care about the decisions shaping your community,&nbsp;Inside Politics&nbsp;delivers the conversations you need to hear.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&nbsp;