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Carnita Atwater
Current office and 2026 campaign
Carnita Atwater is a Democratic Party candidate running for Governor of Tennessee in the 2026 election 1. She is scheduled to appear on the ballot in the Democratic primary on August 6, 2026 1. Atwater self-describes as a community leader and activist from Memphis who aims to "bring Tennesseans back together" and "Make Tennessee Whole Again" 5.
Atwater previously sought the Democratic nomination for Governor of Tennessee in an earlier cycle, where she received 22.22% of the vote in the primary 3. Following that loss, she announced plans to re-enter the political arena for the 2026 gubernatorial race 12. Her campaign has been characterized by a focus on resilience and challenging the status quo, drawing on her background as a nurse and community advocate in the New Chicago neighborhood of Memphis 10.
Background and education
Carnita Atwater was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi 1. She graduated from Frayser High School and earned a bachelor's degree in community health education and nursing from Murray State University in 1996 1. Atwater also holds a doctorate, identifying herself as Dr. Carnita Atwater 210.
Career
Carnita Atwater earned a bachelor’s degree in community health education and nursing from Murray State University in 1996 1. She is referred to as "Dr." Atwater in public records and media coverage 2610.
Atwater owns and operates the New Chicago Community Development Corporation (NCCDC) in Memphis, Tennessee 7. Through this organization, she manages the Kukutana African-American History and Culture Museum of Memphis, which serves to preserve and teach Black history in the New Chicago neighborhood 6713. In December 2020, Atwater filed a $20 billion class action lawsuit against a consortium of government officials on behalf of the NCCDC, alleging genocide due to noninvestment in the New Chicago neighborhood 9.
Office history
Atwater has not held any elected or appointed public office 1. Her political career consists of unsuccessful bids for high-level executive positions. In 2022, she ran for Governor of Tennessee as a Democrat but did not secure the nomination 12. During the Democratic primary on August 4, 2022, Atwater received 56,061 votes, finishing behind Memphis City Councilman J.B. Smiley and Nashville physician Jason Martin, who ultimately won the primary 12.
In 2023, Atwater sought the office of Mayor of Memphis but did not win the general election 4. She later filed a petition to run for Governor again in January 2026 2. On August 4, 2026, she participated in the Democratic gubernatorial primary, where she received 22.22% of the vote (96,505 votes) but lost to Jason Martin, who secured the party's nomination with 40.82% of the vote 3. Atwater remains on the ballot for the Democratic primary in the upcoming election scheduled for August 6, 2026 1.
Legislative record and accomplishments
Carnita Atwater has not held elected legislative office, and therefore has no record of sponsored bills, legislative votes, or committee assignments in the Tennessee General Assembly 1. Her political activity has centered on executive campaigns and community advocacy rather than statutory lawmaking. In 2020, as Executive Director of the New Chicago Community Development Corporation, Atwater filed a $20 billion class action lawsuit against a consortium of government officials, alleging genocide due to noninvestment in the New Chicago neighborhood 9.
Atwater has defined her policy positions through campaign platforms and public statements during her runs for governor. She self-describes as "The People's Governor" and states that she aims to bring Tennesseans together and "make Tennessee whole again" 58. Her platform emphasizes preserving Black history and addressing the neglect of North Memphis communities, citing the need to counter gentrification and ensure equitable distribution of government funds 910.
In previous executive elections, Atwater sought the Democratic nomination for Governor of Tennessee. In the 2022 primary, she received 56,061 votes but did not secure the nomination 12. She subsequently ran in the 2026 Democratic gubernatorial primary on August 6, 2026, where she received 22.22% of the vote (96,505 votes) against winner Jason Martin and candidate JB Smiley Jr. 312. Atwater has not held any other elected legislative or executive office prior to these gubernatorial bids 1.
Documented disputes and controversies
In December 2020, Atwater filed a $20 billion class action lawsuit in Chancery Court Div. 13 against a consortium of government officials, alleging genocide due to noninvestment in the New Chicago neighborhood 9. The suit charged that government funds and incentives supported gentrification in other areas while neglecting New Chicago’s needs 9.
Atwater has experienced public clashes with Memphis city administration, which have been noted as part of her political history alongside legal issues 13. During the 2022 Democratic gubernatorial primary, Atwater received 22.22% of the vote (96,505 votes) and lost to Jason Martin, who won with 40.82% 3. Memphis City Councilman J.B. Smiley Jr. finished second with 36.96% of the vote in that same primary 3.
Following her loss in the 2022 gubernatorial race, Atwater announced plans to run for the U.S. presidency 12. She later withdrew her petition to run for governor in a subsequent cycle before filing again for the 2026 election 2. In the 2026 Democratic primary, Atwater is on the ballot as a candidate for Governor of Tennessee 1.
Business interests and wealth source
Atwater is the owner and operator of the New Chicago Community Development Corporation (NCCDC), a two-story building in the New Chicago neighborhood of Memphis 7. She also operates the Kukutana African-American History and Culture Museum of Memphis within that facility 13. Atwater has self-described herself as a community leader associated with these entities 13.
In December 2020, while serving as executive director of the NCCDC, Atwater filed a $20 billion class action lawsuit against a consortium of government officials 9. The suit alleged that government funds and incentives supported gentrification in other areas while neglecting New Chicago, claiming this constituted genocide due to noninvestment 9.
Specific details regarding Atwater’s personal wealth source, family financial background, or private business sales are not provided in the available sources.
Family
Carnita Atwater was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi 1. She graduated from Frayser High School and earned a bachelor's degree in community health education and nursing from Murray State University in 1996 1. As of 2026, she is 77 years old and resides in Memphis, Tennessee 11.
The provided sources do not contain information regarding her spouse, children, or other family members in politics.
Sources
Public filings
Candidates and officeholders are required by law to file campaign finance reports and statements of economic interest. The sites below don't support direct links to an individual record — search by last name on each.
Tennessee — Shelby County campaign finance (Memphis Mayor)
- Atwater, Carnita - CFD 3rd Quarter 2023.pdf — filed 11/08/23
- Atwater, Carnita - CFD Pre-General 2023.pdf — filed 09/29/23
- Atwater, Carnita - Appointment of Treasurer 2023.pdf — filed 09/05/23
Tennessee — campaign finance (search)
- State offices (Governor, US Senate, US Rep, TN Senate, TN House, State Executive Committee) — Tennessee Registry of Election Finance. Click Search for Candidates and PACs, enter last name “Atwater”, and submit.
Tennessee — statement of interest
- Required for state and local officials and candidates — Tennessee Ethics Commission Conflict of Interest Search. Enter last name “Atwater”and, if needed, select the applicable position.