Donald Trump’s UT visit means very different things for Tennessee’s governor candidates

What This Story Is About

• Democrat Jerri Green and republican Marsha Blackburn are sharing their thoughts on Donald Trump’s visit to Neyland Stadium.

Why It Matters

• It marks a sharp divide between the left and right’s battle for Tennessee’s top executive office.

What Happens Next

• Donald Trump is expected to land at McGhee Tyson to attend Tennessee’s matchup against Texas.

For Context

• November will see voters head to the polls to select who will be Tennessee’s next governor, succeeding Gov. Bill Lee, a republican.

Catch Up

• Trump’s visit to UT has meant major changes to Tennessee’s game day.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - Tennessee versus Texas isn’t the only battle happening in Tennessee Saturday, as President Donald Trump’s Neyland Stadium visit is prompting Tennessee’s gubernatorial candidates to weigh in on why exactly he’s decided to come to the Scruffy City.

Democratic Tennessee governor candidate Jerry Green is calling Donald Trump’s visit to Neyland Stadium “curious,” saying he’s come to provide support for her republican opponent: Marsha Blackburn.

“It is curious timing for him to show up to a game now—it feels like our opponent is nervous about the movement we’re building and bringing in some backup,” Green said in a statement.

Like many of her democratic colleagues, Green pointed to the economic concerns Tennesseans face each day. Affordability has quickly become a key talking point ahead of November’s midterm elections.

“Either way, my focus isn’t on who will be in the suite,” Green said. “My focus is on every Tennessean watching this game who is worried about paying their bills when the game is over.”

Blackburn, for her part, pointed to the historic moment for Tennessee athletics. The proverbial planets have aligned, bringing not only the president, but ESPN’s College GameDay to campus as the Vols battle it out against the Longhorns.

“This is going to be a great weekend in Knoxville,” Blackburn said. “ESPN GameDay is here. The president, we know he’s a sports fan and every once in a while a game kind of catches his attention. And so he will be here. I think little Manning is going to come play in his uncle’s big house and Tennessee is going to win. It’s going to be a great day.”

Trump’s visit to UT has meant major changes to Tennessee’s game day. Fans moving through security or even just trying to get to campus have felt the reality of what it means when a sitting president comes to a Vols matchup.