Tennessee Governor 2026: the ads, and who's paying for them

Marsha Blackburn (Republican), Jerri Green (Democrat), Misam Abidi (independent), Dean Brewer (independent), Ray Brown (independent), David Hatley (independent), Wendell Jackson (independent), Charles Van Morgan (independent), Eddie Lee Murphy (independent), Lauren Pinkston (independent), Victor L. Scoggin (independent), Dave Seeman (independent), Karl Knox Smithson (independent), L. Webb Taylor (independent) and Robert C. Vick (independent) are the candidates for governor of Tennessee in the November 3, 2026 general election. Semblen has analyzed 72 ads in this race; 44 used at least one manipulation technique, most often glittering generalities and appeal to prejudice.

Marsha Blackburn (REP), Jerri Green (DEM), Misam Abidi (IND), Dean Brewer (IND), Ray Brown (IND), David Hatley (IND), Wendell Jackson (IND), Charles Van Morgan (IND), Eddie Lee Murphy (IND), Lauren Pinkston (IND), Victor L. Scoggin (IND), Dave Seeman (IND), Karl Knox Smithson (IND), L. Webb Taylor (IND), Robert C. Vick (IND). On the ballot as listed by Tennessee Secretary of State, Candidates for Governor, November 3, 2026 General Election. 72 ads analyzed, 44 with at least one technique in the copy. Newest first. The paid-for-by line is the advertiser's own filing. Updated 2026-10-08.

Findings

As of 2026-10-08. Counts are of distinct ads; the same text run many times is one ad.

Ads analyzed
72 (Meta 69, YouTube 3) · started running between 2025-10-28 and 2026-10-07
With at least one technique
44 of 72 (61%)
Most common techniques
Glittering Generalities · 39 adsAppeal to Prejudice · 23 adsLoaded Language · 14 ads
Meta
44 of 69 (64%) flagged · Glittering Generalities (39), Appeal to Prejudice (23), Loaded Language (14)
YouTube
0 of 3 flagged
Reported Meta spend
$141,100–192,284 on all ads, $106,800–146,052 on flagged ads · Meta reports ranges; these are the sums of their ends
Example
“building businesses, creating jobs, and managing multi-million dollar budgets” — Glittering Generalities, paid for by Hatley for Tennessee · the flagged ad with the highest reported spend that shows the most common technique

Embed this race on your site

A small box with these findings and the newest ads, updated as new ads are analyzed. Free for newsrooms, blogs and campaigns alike; it links back here.

Who is running these ads

By sponsor (16)
Paid for byAdsWith at least one techniqueMost common
Hatley for Tennessee2319 of 23 (83%)Glittering Generalities (16), Bandwagon Appeal (9), Appeal to Prejudice (8)
Marsha for Governor2012 of 20 (60%)Glittering Generalities (10), Appeal to Prejudice (5), Loaded Language (5)
Green For Governor129 of 12 (75%)Glittering Generalities (9), Appeal to Prejudice (8), Black-and-White Fallacy (5)
Bring Reason Back30 of 3
Germantown Democratic Club20 of 2
Marsha Blackburn20 of 2
BEACON CENTER OF TENNESSEE10 of 1
Committee to Elect Yusuf Hakeem10 of 1
Friends of Carol Abney11 of 1Appeal to Fear (1), Appeal to Prejudice (1), Card Stacking (1)
INDEPENDENT VOTER PROJECT10 of 1
Jerri Green10 of 1
Pinkston for TN11 of 1Appeal to Prejudice (1), Black-and-White Fallacy (1), False Urgency (1)
Robert C. Vick for Governor11 of 1Glittering Generalities (1)
Rose for TN, Inc.11 of 1Flag-Waving (1), Glittering Generalities (1), Name Calling (1)
Tennessee Professional Fire Fighters Association10 of 1
The Redemption Project10 of 1

Decide what counts

Not everyone would call every technique manipulation. Untick the ones you'd call ordinary persuasion and the count updates.

61% of the 72 ads here use at least one of the techniques ticked below (44 ads).

Leaving out the softer ones (loaded language, glittering generalities, slogans, exaggeration, repetition): 57% of ads.

Semblen is free to read and has no ads. If this page was useful, you can support it.

Money in this race

Candidates for governor report their fundraising to Tennessee's state campaign-finance office, not the FEC. This page doesn't cover those reports yet, so it shows no money figures.

The ads

72 ads, newest first. Video transcripts are shown as the model read them, without caption cues like [music].

Showing the 23 ads paid for by Hatley for Tennessee. Show all 72 ads

Paid for by Hatley for Tennesseefrom 2026-10-056 variantsspend $600–1,19452,000–61,994 impressions
Most politicians will never tell you where they went wrong. David Hatley will. At 21, he broke the law and paid what he owed. Since then, he's created thousands of Tennessee jobs and shared the profits with those people. He's been held accountable. Now it's Marsha's turn. Vote the person, not the party. Paid for by Joe Cronin, Treasurer, Hatley for Governor, and authorized by Hatley for Governor.

Card Stacking: Sweeping generalization that frames all other politicians as dishonest or evasive, selectively setting up a contrast that favors the candidate without evidence — for example: Most politicians will never tell you where they went wrong and he broke the law and paid what he owed.

Exaggeration/Hyperbole: The claim of creating 'thousands of Tennessee jobs' is an unverified superlative presented as fact to bolster the candidate's image — for example: 'he's created thousands of Tennessee jobs'

Appeal to Fear: Implies that Marsha has not yet been held accountable and that it is now urgently her 'turn,' creating anxiety about her record without specifying what she must answer for — for example: 'Now it's Marsha's turn'

Black-and-White Fallacy: Presents voting as a binary choice between 'the person' and 'the party,' ignoring the many other factors voters may consider — for example: 'Vote the person, not the party'

Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.

View in Meta's Ad Library ↗

Paid for by Hatley for Tennesseefrom 2026-10-05 to 2026-10-072 variantsspend $0–1983,100–4,998 impressions
You’re invited to join David Hatley, his family, and supporters in Athens on October 6th for a Build Tennessee Rally as we come together to build something different for our state. David Hatley has spent 30 years building businesses, creating Tennessee jobs, and proving what can happen when you work hard, refuse to quit, and keep Tennessee first. Now, he’s running for Governor to bring that same work ethic and real-world experience to Nashville. This campaign isn’t about political parties or big donors. It’s about the people who live, work, build, teach, serve, farm, and raise their families right here in our state. Come meet David in Athens, hear why he’s running, and be part of a movement built from the ground up. NO PARTY. NO DONORS Join the movement. Built not Bought. Learn more here: https://hatleyforgovernor.com Paid for by Joe Cronin, Treasurer, Hatley for Governor, and authorized by Hatley for Governor.
Glittering GeneralitiesBandwagon Appeal33.3% of sentences flagged

Glittering Generalities: Vague, emotionally positive phrases like 'work hard', 'refuse to quit', 'keep Tennessee first', and 'real-world experience' are used as rhetorical flourishes that sound noble but carry no specific policy substance — for example: 'keep Tennessee first'

Bandwagon Appeal: The phrase pressures the reader to join a collective movement, implying that participation in a crowd is desirable and that one should not be left out — for example: Join the movement.

Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.

View in Meta's Ad Library ↗

Paid for by Hatley for Tennesseefrom 2026-10-053 variantsspend $5,000–6,197350,200–401,997 impressions
The strongest people can admit where they went wrong. David Hatley can. At 21, he broke the law, served 23 days in county jail, and paid what he owed. Tennessee restored his rights. Since then, he's created thousands of jobs and shared the profits with his people. Day 1, he brings in an auditor to open the books so you can see every dollar. No PAC buys this office. Now it's Marsha's turn. Paid for by Joe Cronin, Treasurer, Hatley for Governor, and authorized by Hatley for Governor.

Glittering Generalities: Uses vague, emotionally positive framing ('strongest people') to set up a flattering contrast without substantive meaning — for example: 'The strongest people can admit where they went wrong.'

Card Stacking: Presents an unverified boast about job creation alongside the factual record of legal restoration without qualification, implying the claim carries equal credibility — for example: 'he's created thousands of jobs and shared the profits with his people.'

Appeal to Prejudice: The phrase 'his people' invokes in-group identity to build emotional loyalty — for example: 'shared the profits with his people.'

Loaded Language: The phrase 'Now it's Marsha's turn' implies Marsha (the incumbent opponent) is overdue for accountability or removal, using charged framing rather than factual argument — for example: 'Now it's Marsha's turn.'

Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.

View in Meta's Ad Library ↗

Paid for by Hatley for Tennesseefrom 2026-10-05 to 2026-10-082 variantsspend $100–2985,100–6,998 impressions
You’re invited to join David Hatley, his family, and supporters in Cleveland on October 7th for a Build Tennessee Rally as we come together to build something different for our state. David Hatley has spent 30 years building businesses, creating Tennessee jobs, and proving what can happen when you work hard, refuse to quit, and keep Tennessee first. Now, he’s running for Governor to bring that same work ethic and real-world experience to Nashville. This campaign isn’t about political parties or big donors. It’s about the people who live, work, build, teach, serve, farm, and raise their families right here in our state. Come meet David in Cleveland, hear why he’s running, and be part of a movement built from the ground up. NO PARTY. NO DONORS Join the movement. Built not Bought. Learn more here: https://hatleyforgovernor.com Paid for by Joe Cronin, Treasurer, Hatley for Governor, and authorized by Hatley for Governor.
Glittering GeneralitiesBandwagon Appeal33.3% of sentences flagged

Glittering Generalities: Vague, emotionally positive phrases like 'work hard', 'refuse to quit', 'keep Tennessee first', and 'real-world experience' are used as rhetorical flourishes that sound noble but carry no specific policy substance — for example: 'keep Tennessee first'

Bandwagon Appeal: The phrase urges the reader to join a collective movement, implying social pressure to conform through crowd participation — for example: Join the movement.

Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.

View in Meta's Ad Library ↗

Paid for by Hatley for Tennesseefrom 2026-10-052 variantsspend $100–2984,100–5,998 impressions
You’re invited to join David Hatley, his family, and supporters in Chattanooga on October 8th for a Build Tennessee Rally as we come together to build something different for our state. David Hatley has spent 30 years building businesses, creating Tennessee jobs, and proving what can happen when you work hard, refuse to quit, and keep Tennessee first. Now, he’s running for Governor to bring that same work ethic and real-world experience to Nashville. This campaign isn’t about political parties or big donors. It’s about the people who live, work, build, teach, serve, farm, and raise their families right here in our state. Come meet David in Chattanooga, hear why he’s running, and be part of a movement built from the ground up. NO PARTY. NO DONORS Join the movement. Built not Bought. Learn more here: https://hatleyforgovernor.com Paid for by Joe Cronin, Treasurer, Hatley for Governor, and authorized by Hatley for Governor.
Glittering GeneralitiesBandwagon Appeal33.3% of sentences flagged

Glittering Generalities: Vague, emotionally positive phrases like 'work hard', 'refuse to quit', 'keep Tennessee first', and 'real-world experience' are used as rhetorical flourishes that sound noble but carry no specific policy substance — for example: 'keep Tennessee first'

Bandwagon Appeal: The phrase urges the reader to join a collective movement, implying social pressure to conform to a growing group — for example: Join the movement.

Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.

View in Meta's Ad Library ↗

Paid for by Hatley for Tennesseefrom 2026-09-28 to 2026-10-06spend $200–29910,000–14,999 impressions
You’re invited to join David Hatley, his family, and supporters in Nashville on October 1st for a Build Tennessee Rally as we come together to build something different for our state. David Hatley has spent 30 years building businesses, creating Tennessee jobs, and proving what can happen when you work hard, refuse to quit, and keep Tennessee first. Now, he’s running for Governor to bring that same work ethic and real-world experience to Nashville. This campaign isn’t about political parties or big donors. It’s about the people who live, work, build, teach, serve, farm, and raise their families right here in our state. Come meet David in Nashville, hear why he’s running, and be part of a movement built from the ground up. NO PARTY. NO DONORS Join the movement. Built not Bought. Learn more here: https://hatleyforgovernor.com Paid for by Joe Cronin, Treasurer, Hatley for Governor, and authorized by Hatley for Governor.
Glittering GeneralitiesBandwagon Appeal33.3% of sentences flagged

Glittering Generalities: Vague, emotionally positive phrases like 'work hard', 'refuse to quit', 'keep Tennessee first', and 'real-world experience' are used as rhetorical flourishes that sound noble but carry no specific policy substance — for example: 'keep Tennessee first'

Bandwagon Appeal: The phrase pressures the reader to join a collective movement, implying that participation in a crowd is desirable and that one should not be left out — for example: Join the movement.

Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.

View in Meta's Ad Library ↗

Paid for by Hatley for Tennesseefrom 2026-09-28 to 2026-10-05spend $0–992,000–2,999 impressions
You’re invited to join David Hatley, his family, and supporters in McMinnville on October 2nd for a Build Tennessee Rally as we come together to build something different for our state. David Hatley has spent 30 years building businesses, creating Tennessee jobs, and proving what can happen when you work hard, refuse to quit, and keep Tennessee first. Now, he’s running for Governor to bring that same work ethic and real-world experience to Nashville. This campaign isn’t about political parties or big donors. It’s about the people who live, work, build, teach, serve, farm, and raise their families right here in our state. Come meet David in McMinnville, hear why he’s running, and be part of a movement built from the ground up. NO PARTY. NO DONORS Join the movement. Built not Bought. Learn more here: https://hatleyforgovernor.com Paid for by Joe Cronin, Treasurer, Hatley for Governor, and authorized by Hatley for Governor.
Glittering GeneralitiesBandwagon Appeal33.3% of sentences flagged

Glittering Generalities: Vague, emotionally positive phrases like 'work hard', 'refuse to quit', 'keep Tennessee first', and 'work ethic' are used as rhetorical flourishes that sound noble but carry no specific policy substance — for example: 'keep Tennessee first'

Bandwagon Appeal: The phrase urges the reader to join a collective movement, implying social pressure to conform to a growing group — for example: Join the movement.

Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.

View in Meta's Ad Library ↗

Paid for by Hatley for Tennesseefrom 2026-09-28 to 2026-10-01spend $0–994,000–4,999 impressions
You’re invited to join David Hatley, his family, and supporters in Gallatin on September 30th for a Build Tennessee Rally as we come together to build something different for our state. David Hatley has spent 30 years building businesses, creating Tennessee jobs, and proving what can happen when you work hard, refuse to quit, and keep Tennessee first. Now, he’s running for Governor to bring that same work ethic and real-world experience to Nashville. This campaign isn’t about political parties or big donors. It’s about the people who live, work, build, teach, serve, farm, and raise their families right here in our state. Come meet David in Gallatin, hear why he’s running, and be part of a movement built from the ground up. NO PARTY. NO DONORS Join the movement. Built not Bought. Learn more here: https://hatleyforgovernor.com Paid for by Joe Cronin, Treasurer, Hatley for Governor, and authorized by Hatley for Governor.
Glittering GeneralitiesBandwagon Appeal33.3% of sentences flagged

Glittering Generalities: Vague, emotionally positive phrases like 'work hard', 'refuse to quit', 'keep Tennessee first', and 'real-world experience' are used as rhetorical flourishes that sound noble but carry no specific policy substance — for example: 'keep Tennessee first'

Bandwagon Appeal: The phrase pressures the reader to join a collective movement, implying that participation in a crowd is desirable and that one should not be left out — for example: Join the movement.

Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.

View in Meta's Ad Library ↗

Paid for by Hatley for Tennesseefrom 2026-09-23 to 2026-09-27spend $1,500–1,999125,000–149,999 impressions
Marsha Blackburn, we’re putting $1 million on the table. Agree to debate me, and we’ll give $1 million to three Tennessee charities: one serving our veterans, one protecting women, and one feeding Tennessee families. You show up. We write the checks. Tennessee wins. So stop hiding behind PAC money and attack ads. You can keep spending millions talking about mistakes I made 30 years ago. I’ve owned them. I wrote the book. I’ll answer every question. Now answer mine: Will you debate me? And Jerri Green is invited too. I’ll be there October 8 in Nashville— no excuses, show up.
no techniques found
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.

View in Meta's Ad Library ↗

Paid for by Hatley for Tennesseefrom 2026-09-2214 variantsspend $0–1,38623,400–36,986 impressions
The best people in America live in Tennessee. They deserve better than this: 4th most violent crime in the country, a budget growing twice as fast as inflation, dead last in school funding, kids priced out of homes, and property taxes rising faster than any other state. David Hatley's plan: fund the detectives, elect the auditor, back the teachers, build the homes, cap the tax. None of this is complicated. Paid for by Joe Cronin, Treasurer, Hatley for Governor, and authorized by Hatley for Governor.

Appeal to Prejudice: Flatters Tennessee residents as 'the best people in America' to create in-group identity and emotional loyalty — for example: 'The best people in America live in Tennessee'

Card Stacking: Selectively stacks a series of negative statistics and claims to paint a dire picture without context, counterarguments, or verification of each claim — for example: 'dead last in school funding'

Appeal to Fear: Accumulates alarming statistics about crime, taxes, and housing to generate anxiety and a sense of crisis — for example: '4th most violent crime in the country'

Glittering Generalities: Presents a list of vague, emotionally positive action phrases that sound decisive and noble but lack specific policy detail — for example: 'back the teachers, build the homes'

False Urgency: Dismisses complexity to discourage deliberation and imply that hesitation or opposition is unreasonable — for example: 'None of this is complicated'

Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.

View in Meta's Ad Library ↗

Paid for by Hatley for Tennesseefrom 2026-09-2214 variantsspend $1,300–2,686127,400–152,986 impressions
Your kid put in an offer on a house, and an out of state investment firm outbid him, paying cash, sight unseen. Nobody can compete with that. Investment firms don't get to buy our neighborhoods. David Hatley's fix: state grants for roads and sewer when a county builds 10% of new homes under $250,000. A home you can afford, in the town you work in. That's the American dream, and he won't let it die in Tennessee. Paid for by Joe Cronin, Treasurer, Hatley for Governor, and authorized by Hatley for Governor.

Appeal to Fear: Creates anxiety by depicting a relatable scenario where a family member loses a home to a faceless corporate entity, triggering emotional distress — for example: Your kid put in an offer on a house, and an out of state investment firm outbid him and won't let it die in Tennessee.

Scapegoating: Blames a specific group (out-of-state investment firms) for the housing affordability problem, reducing a complex issue to a single villain — for example: "an out of state investment firm outbid him".

Exaggeration/Hyperbole: Absolute claim that no one can compete overstates the situation without evidence — for example: 'Nobody can compete with that.'

Appeal to Prejudice: Uses 'our neighborhoods' to invoke in-group identity and frame investment firms as outsiders threatening the community — for example: "our neighborhoods".

Glittering Generalities: Vague emotionally positive framing of an ideal without specific substance — for example: A home you can afford, in the town you work in and the American dream.

Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.

View in Meta's Ad Library ↗

Paid for by Hatley for Tennesseefrom 2026-09-2122 variantsspend $7,700–11,478669,700–810,978 impressions
Are you tired of party politics? A news segment says Marsha's people are terrified of David Hatley, running vicious attacks because they don't have an insurmountable lead. Hatley is the only CEO in this race, 30 years building businesses, creating jobs, and managing multi-million dollar budgets right here in Tennessee. Don't vote for politics as usual. Vote for the most qualified candidate. Paid for by Joe Cronin, Treasurer, Hatley for Governor, and authorized by Hatley for Governor.

Appeal to Prejudice: The question invokes an in-group identity of voters who are fed up with the political establishment, implying the reader is one of 'us' who rejects party politics — for example: 'Are you tired of party politics?'

Loaded Language: Words like 'terrified' and 'vicious attacks' are emotionally charged to paint the opponent's campaign in a sinister light — for example: 'terrified of David Hatley, running vicious attacks'

Card Stacking: The sentence attributes an unverified characterization ('terrified', 'vicious attacks') to a vague source ('a news segment') without qualification, presenting it as credible fact — for example: 'A news segment says Marsha's people are terrified'

Glittering Generalities: Vague positive accomplishments like 'building businesses, creating jobs' are used as rhetorical flourish to evoke admiration without specific substantiation — for example: building businesses, creating jobs, and managing multi-million dollar budgets and Vote for the most qualified candidate.

Name Calling: The phrase 'politics as usual' is a derogatory label applied to the opponent to discredit them without addressing specific arguments — for example: 'Don't vote for politics as usual'

Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.

View in Meta's Ad Library ↗

Paid for by Hatley for Tennesseefrom 2026-09-21 to 2026-09-28spend $0–991,000–1,999 impressions
You’re invited to join David Hatley, his family, and supporters in Somerville on September 23rd for a Build Tennessee Rally as we come together to build something different for our state. David Hatley has spent 30 years building businesses, creating Tennessee jobs, and proving what can happen when you work hard, refuse to quit, and keep Tennessee first. Now, he’s running for Governor to bring that same work ethic and real-world experience to Nashville. This campaign isn’t about political parties or big donors. It’s about the people who live, work, build, teach, serve, farm, and raise their families right here in our state. Come meet David in Somerville, hear why he’s running, and be part of a movement built from the ground up. NO PARTY. NO DONORS Join the movement. Built not Bought. Learn more here: https://hatleyforgovernor.com Paid for by Joe Cronin, Treasurer, Hatley for Governor, and authorized by Hatley for Governor.

Glittering Generalities: Vague, emotionally positive phrases like 'work hard', 'refuse to quit', 'keep Tennessee first', and 'real-world experience' are used as rhetorical flourishes that sound noble but carry no specific policy substance — for example: 'keep Tennessee first'

Bandwagon Appeal: The phrase urges the reader to join a collective movement, implying social pressure to conform to a growing group — for example: Join the movement.

Appeal to Prejudice: The slogan creates an in-group/out-group distinction implying that those who are 'built' are authentic and superior to those who are 'bought', exploiting identity-based loyalty — for example: Built not Bought.

Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.

View in Meta's Ad Library ↗

Paid for by Hatley for Tennesseefrom 2026-09-21 to 2026-09-28spend $100–1996,000–6,999 impressions
You’re invited to join David Hatley, his family, and supporters in Memphis on September 24th for a Build Tennessee Rally as we come together to build something different for our state. David Hatley has spent 30 years building businesses, creating Tennessee jobs, and proving what can happen when you work hard, refuse to quit, and keep Tennessee first. Now, he’s running for Governor to bring that same work ethic and real-world experience to Nashville. This campaign isn’t about political parties or big donors. It’s about the people who live, work, build, teach, serve, farm, and raise their families right here in our state. Come meet David in Memphis, hear why he’s running, and be part of a movement built from the ground up. NO PARTY. NO DONORS Join the movement. Built not Bought. Learn more here: https://hatleyforgovernor.com Paid for by Joe Cronin, Treasurer, Hatley for Governor, and authorized by Hatley for Governor.
Glittering GeneralitiesBandwagon Appeal33.3% of sentences flagged

Glittering Generalities: Vague, emotionally positive phrases like 'work hard', 'refuse to quit', 'keep Tennessee first', and 'real-world experience' are used as rhetorical flourishes that sound noble but carry no specific policy substance — for example: 'keep Tennessee first'

Bandwagon Appeal: The phrase pressures the reader to join a collective movement, implying that participation in a crowd is desirable and that one should not be left out — for example: Join the movement.

Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.

View in Meta's Ad Library ↗

Paid for by Hatley for Tennesseefrom 2026-09-21 to 2026-09-23spend $0–992,000–2,999 impressions
You’re invited to join David Hatley, his family, and supporters in Jackson on September 22nd for a Build Tennessee Rally as we come together to build something different for our state. David Hatley has spent 30 years building businesses, creating Tennessee jobs, and proving what can happen when you work hard, refuse to quit, and keep Tennessee first. Now, he’s running for Governor to bring that same work ethic and real-world experience to Nashville. This campaign isn’t about political parties or big donors. It’s about the people who live, work, build, teach, serve, farm, and raise their families right here in our state. Come meet David in Jackson, hear why he’s running, and be part of a movement built from the ground up. NO PARTY. NO DONORS Join the movement. Built not Bought. Learn more here: https://hatleyforgovernor.com Paid for by Joe Cronin, Treasurer, Hatley for Governor, and authorized by Hatley for Governor.
Glittering GeneralitiesBandwagon Appeal33.3% of sentences flagged

Glittering Generalities: Vague, emotionally positive phrases like 'work hard', 'refuse to quit', 'keep Tennessee first', and 'real-world experience' are used as rhetorical flourishes that sound noble but carry no specific policy substance — for example: 'keep Tennessee first'

Bandwagon Appeal: The phrase urges the reader to join a collective movement, implying social pressure to conform to a growing group — for example: 'Join the movement'

Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.

View in Meta's Ad Library ↗

Paid for by Hatley for Tennesseefrom 2026-09-18 to 2026-10-0115 variantsspend $12,500–16,3851,218,000–1,468,985 impressions
She didn't break any law. She just left the house, and Flock cameras tracked her anyway. That's not safety. That's surveillance. David Hatley will ban Flock cameras in Tennessee. Stop watching citizens. Start watching the people in power. 🔗 hatleyforgovernor.com Paid for by Joe Cronin, Treasurer, Hatley for Governor, and authorized by Hatley for Governor.
Appeal to Prejudice11.1% of sentences flagged

Appeal to Prejudice: The phrase invokes an us-vs-them framing, positioning ordinary citizens as the virtuous in-group being surveilled while 'the people in power' are the out-group who deserve scrutiny — exploiting populist identity sentiment — for example: the people in power

Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.

View in Meta's Ad Library ↗

Paid for by Hatley for Tennesseefrom 2026-09-1820 variantsspend $12,500–16,4801,084,600–1,302,980 impressions
Did you know Tennessee is #1 in the country for property tax increases, up 75% in 6 years? 46 states cap how fast it can go up. We don't. David Hatley will cut property taxes in half for seniors making under $64,000 and eliminate them entirely for permanently disabled veterans. You already bought your house. You shouldn't have to keep buying it. Paid for by Joe Cronin, Treasurer, Hatley for Governor, and authorized by Hatley for Governor.
no techniques found
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.

View in Meta's Ad Library ↗

Paid for by Hatley for Tennesseefrom 2026-09-187 variantsspend $2,800–3,893274,200–342,993 impressions
Your Voter Status has been rescinded due to inactivity. Correction Required by 11:59 PM or permanent damage to your record. Somebody's grandmother is getting 4 of these a day. Meanwhile 9 million dollars is being spent on a Senate seat that isn't even on the ballot. David Hatley is paying for his own campaign. Zero PACs. No donations. Nobody should get to bid on your governor. Ban the out of state money. Ban the contractor checks. Tennessee is not for sale. 🔗 hatleyforgovernor.com Paid for by Joe Cronin, Treasurer, Hatley for Governor, and authorized by Hatley for Governor.

Appeal to Prejudice: Frames out-of-state money as a threat to in-group identity, implying outsiders are corrupting Tennessee — for example: out of state money and Tennessee is not for sale.

Loaded Language: The phrase 'contractor checks' carries an implicit negative connotation of corrupt or improper payments influencing politics — for example: contractor checks

Glittering Generalities: Uses a vague but emotionally resonant slogan implying sovereignty and integrity without specifying any concrete policy — for example: Tennessee is not for sale

Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.

View in Meta's Ad Library ↗

Paid for by Hatley for Tennesseefrom 2026-09-1812 variantsspend $0–1,18835,200–46,988 impressions
Who checks the state's math? Tennessee's budget has grown almost twice as fast as inflation and population. 24 states elect their auditor. We don't. Politicians pick their own auditor here, and only one other state does that. David Hatley will fight to elect an independent auditor, a real accountant, and publish every dollar. You don't manage a budget you can't account for. Paid for by Joe Cronin, Treasurer, Hatley for Governor, and authorized by Hatley for Governor.
no techniques found
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.

View in Meta's Ad Library ↗

Paid for by Hatley for Tennesseefrom 2026-09-1714 variantsspend $1,800–3,186179,300–221,986 impressions
MAGA Clearance Level: Denied. Your Voter Status has been rescinded due to inactivity. Correction Required by 11:59 PM or permanent damage to your record. Somebody's grandmother is getting 4 of these a day. Meanwhile 9 million dollars is being spent on a Senate seat that isn't even on the ballot. David Hatley is paying for his own campaign. Zero PACs. No donations. Nobody should get to bid on your governor. Ban the out of state money. Ban the contractor checks. Tennessee is not for sale. 🔗 hatleyforgovernor.com Paid for by Joe Cronin, Treasurer, Hatley for Governor, and authorized by Hatley for Governor.

Appeal to Prejudice: Frames out-of-state money as a threat to in-group identity, implying outsiders are corrupting Tennessee — for example: out of state money and Tennessee is not for sale.

Loaded Language: The phrase 'contractor checks' carries an implicit negative connotation of corrupt or improper payments influencing politics — for example: contractor checks

Glittering Generalities: Uses a vague but emotionally resonant declaration of sovereignty and integrity without specifying what is actually at stake — for example: Tennessee is not for sale

Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.

View in Meta's Ad Library ↗

Paid for by Hatley for Tennesseefrom 2026-09-1620 variantsspend $900–2,880124,400–155,980 impressions
David Hatley grew up in Elizabethton, Tennessee, with two parents who weren't always around. He went to work at 15. Now people apply for jobs with him who can't read the application. Tennessee has fallen behind Mississippi in education. As governor, Hatley will put reading coaches in our worst schools and back teachers with tools and time instead of more testing. Politicians talk. He's a builder. He'll get results and fight for your children's education. 🔗 hatleyforgovernor.com Paid for by Joe Cronin, Treasurer, Hatley for Governor, and authorized by Hatley for Governor.

Name Calling: The word 'Politicians' is used as a dismissive label implying inaction and empty words, discrediting a group rather than addressing their arguments — for example: 'Politicians talk'

Glittering Generalities: The label 'builder' is used as a vague but emotionally positive identity marker implying competence and action without substantive evidence — for example: He's a builder and He'll get results and fight for your children's education.

Appeal to Fear: Invoking children's education implies a threat to their future if this candidate is not chosen, creating anxiety to drive support — for example: 'fight for your children's education'

Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.

View in Meta's Ad Library ↗

Paid for by Hatley for Tennesseefrom 2026-09-16 to 2026-09-198 variantsspend $0–79214,200–21,992 impressions
Education wasn't a priority in David Hatley's house growing up. Survival was. Moving when the rent ran out. He went to work at 15 and made it work the hard way. Now people apply for jobs with him who can't read the safety manual. Can't fill out the application without help. Proud people, hiding it. Only 32% of Tennessee's 4th graders read at grade level. 60% of Tennessee adults read below an 8th grade level. We're behind Mississippi. Yes, Mississippi. Hatley will give teachers the tools and the time, put reading coaches in our lowest performing schools, and get daily help to kids who are struggling. Top 10 in 4 years. He'll put his name on it. Politicians promise. Builders deliver. 🔗 hatleyforgovernor.com Paid for by Joe Cronin, Treasurer, Hatley for Governor, and authorized by Hatley for Governor.

Loaded Language: Emotionally charged words chosen to trigger a reaction rather than convey facts.

Name Calling: Derogatory labels used to discredit a person or group rather than address their arguments.

Black-and-White Fallacy: The two-sentence structure together implies only two types of actors exist — politicians who merely promise and builders who actually deliver, creating a false binary that ignores the complexity of governance and construction — for example: 'Politicians promise. Builders deliver.'

Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.

View in Meta's Ad Library ↗

Paid for by Hatley for Tennesseefrom 2026-08-03 to 2026-08-07spend $500–59945,000–49,999 impressions
Dave Hatley just reported $5.7 million in his campaign account, more cash on hand than both Marsha Blackburn and John Rose. No PACs. No special interests. Not even individual donors. Just Dave, self-funded from day one. Read the full article from the Johnson City Press: https://johnsoncitypress.com/news/384401/governor-candidate-boast
no techniques found
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.

View in Meta's Ad Library ↗

What this page is

  • An ad is on this page because its own "Paid for by" line is a campaign in this race; or it ran mostly in TN and names a nominee for governor — unless its sponsor is a campaign for some other office (a U.S. Senate or House campaign included), or it also names TN's Senate nominees, in which case it is on the Senate race's page. Ads from outside groups appear alongside the campaigns' own.
  • The candidates are the ones certified for the November ballot, from the source linked at the top. Governors are state offices, so there are no FEC filings behind this page: no money figures, and outside groups are placed on a side only when they are a campaign or a party committee.
  • Campaigns run one text as many separate ads. Identical text from the same sponsor is one card here, marked with its number of variants.
  • A technique is a specific manipulative move in the wording, found by our model and explained in one line. It is not a claim that the ad is false.
  • Claims are checked when a reader asks: press "Check this ad's claims" on a card. The check runs once and its result is shown to everyone afterwards. The ten ads with the most money behind them in each race are checked ahead of time.
  • Claim verdicts say what the cited sources say. A verdict that an ad is wrong or misleading is shown only when it cites an established fact-checker or an institutional record — Congress, a federal agency, a court — and its confidence is not low; a weaker one is not shown at all. Each verdict shows what it rests on and how confident it is. If we got one wrong, press Disagree: a verdict that readers dispute and no one defends comes down.
  • Video ads come from the campaigns' own YouTube channels; the transcript is analyzed. Meta ads are analyzed on their text; their video and images are not, yet.

Get notified as this improves — new detection models, the browser extension, and new features. Occasional email, no spam.

Semblen LLC · 5900 Balcones Drive STE 100, Austin, TX 78731 · unsubscribe any time