Victor L. Scoggin, an independent, is running for Tennessee governor in the Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, general election.

Scoggin is certified for the ballot in a large field that includes Republican Marsha Blackburn, Democrat Jerri Green and more than a dozen other independents, according to BallotReady election data. Scoggin said on his campaign website that he is self-funded and accepts no outside donations. "I am not funded by anybody. Nobody jerks my chain. I answer to no one except the Tennessee law abiding taxpayers," Scoggin said, according to his candidate questionnaire response.

Candidate information

  • Party: Independent
  • Education: High school diploma, Mt. Juliet High School; associate's degree in history and geography, Nashville State Community College
  • Military service: U.S. Navy, 1977–1981; U.S. Merchant Marine, 1994–2012, according to BallotReady profile data
  • Current roles (claimed by candidate): 100 Ton Master Western Rivers captain, Coast Guard auxiliarist, Tennessee armed guard

Experience and public service

Scoggin worked as a power plant operator and stationary engineer at the Nashville Glass Plant, later known as Carlex and Ford Motor Company, from 1985 to 2017, according to BallotReady. He also served as an air compressor mechanic at E.D Green from 1982 to 1983.

He is president and founder of Save The Cumberland Inc., an organization he started in 1996, and of Western Rivers Exploration LLC, founded in 2011, according to BallotReady. Scoggin said he served 43 years as a volunteer firefighter before retiring.

Scoggin said he swam 696 miles in 1996 to draw attention to pollution of the Cumberland River as a drinking water source. He said he won. He also said he fought a $300 million marina project over a federally endangered crayfish and won.

On the issues

The following positions are drawn from Scoggin's candidate questionnaire responses. All statements reflect the candidate's own claims.

Environment and energy: Scoggin said he opposes a proposed dam on the Duck River near Columbia. He also called for eliminating state National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits and requiring biodegradable consumable products with no Styrofoam.

Property taxes and budget: Scoggin said he supports property tax reform, including eliminating property taxes for retirees. He said he opposes tax breaks for special interests.

Government reform: Scoggin called for term limits on elected offices, campaign spending limits and drug testing for government employees. He said he wants to "DOGE all state agencies," using the term associated with the federal Department of Government Efficiency concept. He said he opposes PACs, AIPAC and lobbyists.

Criminal justice and public safety: Scoggin said he supports speedy trials for violent crimes, license plate readers on interstates and jail time for scammers and hackers. He said he wants to restore Second Amendment and voting rights for nonviolent felons. He called for RICO laws targeting Antifa and gangs.

Infrastructure: Scoggin said he opposes data centers in Tennessee. He called for satellite phone and internet access as a national security measure and fines for slow vehicles in the passing lane.

Candidate responses were collected through BallotReady questionnaires and the candidate's campaign website. The Duck River Sentinel did not interview the candidate. This profile is part of the Sentinel's 2026 election coverage.