In a political landscape where working families are treated like an afterthought, Jerri Green is running to prove that Tennessee deserves leadership rooted in service, not slogans. Known across the state as “One Tough Mother for Tennessee,” Jerri is a lifelong Tennessean, attorney, public servant, educator, and proud mom of three who has spent her career fighting for people who rarely have power but always bear the consequences.
Born and raised in Memphis, Jerri graduated from White Station High School before earning her degree in English and Political Science from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and her law degree from Georgetown University Law Center. She returned home to serve as a juvenile public defender in Nashville, later becoming Executive Director of the Community Legal Center, where she expanded access to legal services for families who could not afford representation. She went on to serve as Senior Policy Advisor and now Deputy Chief of Staff to Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris, advancing policy on public safety, women’s health, and living wages. Today, she represents District 2 on the Memphis City Council, where her record includes increasing funding for first responders, cracking down on neglectful landlords, expanding pre-K and youth programs, reducing violent crime by getting guns off the streets, pioneering at-home HIV testing, and securing funding for Black midwives.
Jerri’s work extends beyond government. She has served as President of the Democratic Women of Shelby County, held board positions with Habitat for Humanity of Memphis, Girls Inc. of Memphis, the Humane Society of Memphis and Shelby County, and the Overton Shell, and led statewide efforts with Tennessee Moms Demand Action. Alongside her husband Patrick, she is raising their three children, Beau, Vivienne, and Wilder, while continuing to build a career defined by showing up when it matters most.
In this interview, Jerri explains what inspired her to run for Governor, what the role actually looks like in practice, and how she would use the office to protect Tennessee communities from the impacts of federal policy, including on farmers, immigrant families, and working class households. We discuss how her background in human rights law informs her approach to protecting constituents, how she plans to work with grassroots organizers, and what she says to voters who feel shut out of the political system entirely. She also shares her dream VP pick, weighs in on the most cursed hypothetical office pairing imaginable, and reveals her favorite hidden gem in Tennessee.
📍 Topics include
• Why Jerri Green is running for Governor of Tennessee
• Growing up in Memphis and building a career in law and public service
• What a governor actually does and how state leadership impacts local communities
• How this administration has affected farmers, workers, and immigrant families across Tennessee
• Protecting constituents through policy and human rights based legal frameworks
• Partnering with activist groups to drive real change
• Reaching voters who feel disconnected from elections and government
• Dream VP pick living or dead
• Stephen Miller vs. Pete Hegseth office debate
• Jerri’s favorite hidden gem in Tennessee
🎵 Full interview available now on Spotify and YouTube
📲 Stay connected with Jerri & support her campaign🌐 Website & campaign info | greenforgovernor.com
📸 Instagram | @jerrigreen4tn
🎵 TikTok I @jerrigreen4tn
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