Dave Seeman is running as an independent for Tennessee governor in the Nov. 3, 2026 general election. The race includes Republican Marsha Blackburn, Democrat Jerri Green and more than a dozen other candidates.
Seeman said on his campaign website that Tennessee is where he was raised, became an engineer, started his small business and invested in his community.
This profile is based on Seeman's campaign responses and public records compiled through BallotReady. Positions described below reflect the candidate's own statements unless otherwise noted.
Candidate information
- Party: Independent
- Office sought: Tennessee governor
- Education: Bachelor's in mechanical engineering, University of Tennessee (2014)
Experience
According to BallotReady profile data, Seeman served as partner and head of growth and operations at Ovyl from 2016 to 2022. He has worked as head of development at Squarish since 2023.
On the issues
Seeman outlined his priorities on his campaign website. He listed five top areas.
Climate and energy: Seeman said climate action is his top priority. He called for building state-owned renewable power, unlocking residential solar and financing clean energy statewide.
Healthcare: Seeman said he would take back federal dollars, build a community health center in each county, expand mental health services in every city and support rural caregivers. He also called for comprehensive care for mothers before and after birth, closing the coverage gap and expanding childcare coverage.
Taxes and budget: Seeman said he would end the grocery tax, bulk-purchase insulin and naloxone, wipe out medical debt and close corporate tax loopholes. He also called for auditing large state programs, capturing federal grants and making state data searchable online.
Public transportation: Seeman proposed bus routes connecting rural counties, a state match for city public transit, a large-scale passenger rail feasibility study and walkable-streets funding in every county.
Housing: Seeman said he would invest in land trusts for permanent affordability, fast-track new buildings, legalize dense housing and cut regulatory barriers for quality construction. He also called for a Housing First approach and expanded addiction treatment to address homelessness.
Endorsements
Seeman listed the following endorsements and pledges on his campaign endorsements page:
- Green Party of Tennessee (endorsement)
- Moms Demand Action (endorsement)
- Patients over Profits (pledge to reject campaign contributions from corporate health care industry executives, lobbyists and PACs, according to Seeman's campaign)
- I See Purple (Purple Pledge affirming commitment to democratic principles and constitutional governance, according to Seeman's campaign)
- Green New Deal Champions (No Fossil Fuel Money pledge, according to Seeman's campaign)
The general election ballot also lists Charles Van Morgan, David Hatley, Dean Brewer, Eddie Lee Murphy, Karl Knox Smithson, L. Webb Taylor, Lauren Pinkston, Misam Abidi, Ray Brown, Robert C. Vick, Victor L. Scoggin and Wendell Jackson as independent candidates alongside Blackburn and Green.
