Pete Hegseth has discussed running for political office in Tennessee, sources say [View all]

Source: nbc news


The defense secretary has talked privately about running a campaign in Tennessee, sources told NBC News. The Pentagon said Hegseth’s “focus remains solely on serving under” Trump.

July 29, 2025, 7:30 PM CDT
By Gordon Lubold, Courtney Kube, Bridget Bowman and Julie Tsirkin

WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has privately discussed the idea of running for political office next year in Tennessee, according to two people who have spoken directly with him about it.

If Hegseth were to follow through on the discussions, it would amount to a major leadership shake-up at the department that oversees the American military and millions of federal employees. The Defense Department bars civilian employees from running for political office, meaning Hegseth would have to resign to do so

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One of the people said their discussion with Hegseth happened within the past three weeks and that it was serious, not simply spitballing ideas. The other person, who also characterized it as serious, wouldn’t say when they had spoken — except that it was since Hegseth became defense secretary in January. The two sources, along with others in this article, were granted anonymity to speak candidly.

The discussions centered on what it would take to run.....

The people who have spoken with Hegseth said he has specifically mentioned a possible campaign for governor in Tennessee, where he lives. The state has an open race for governor next year, though there are eligibility requirements for candidates that Hegseth might not meet.


Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/pete-hegseth-discussed-running-political-office-tennessee-rcna221681

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If Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth were to run for office, it would amount to a major leadership shake-up at the department that oversees the American military and millions of federal employeesMark Schiefelbein / AP