�ֲ���ý

Wilmore enrolled at Tech in 1981 after graduating from Mt. Juliet High School. He received a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Tech in electrical engineering. He went on to be inducted into the Tech Sports Hall of Fame in 2003. From there, he received an honorary doctorate in 2012 and was appointed to the university’s Board of Trustees in 2017.

Had he pursued a campaign, Wilmore would have needed to file the petition with 25 signatures from registered Tennessee voters by the qualifying deadline on March 10 at noon.

However, residency requirements mandate that a candidate must be a resident of the state for seven years before the November election.

The state primary is scheduled for Aug. 6, and includes the governor’s seat. The general election will be Nov. 3.

While speaking with supporters in Wilson County last year, Wilmore said he’s always considered Tennessee his home, despite living with his family in Houston, Texas, near the Johnson Space Center. Wilmore said his residency is in Tennessee, but transferred his voter registration to Texas.

Wilmore said he is disappointed, but will not “fight the law” later adding that he technically never entered the race, but was considering it.

“This is home,” Wilmore said. “I love this state. I love all aspects of what Tennessee stands for.”

Wilmore returned to Earth in March 2025 after a 286-day extended stay aboard the International Space Station. He retired after 25 years with NASA and more than 400 days in space. He said he took a Tennessee flag with him on space missions.

According to Wilmore, as quoted in a story in the Tennessean newspaper, he’s considered running for public office for more than a decade. He’s also said he was doing “due diligence” on a potential campaign.

“This is something I’ve prayed about and even had discussions with like-minded friends for greater than 15 years,” Wilmore said in the Tennessean story. “This is not new.”

Other Republican competition includes U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, U.S. Rep. John Rose and State Rep. Monty Fritts, who all seek to succeed Gov. Bill Lee when he concludes his second term.