Marsha Blackburn Running for Governor of Tennessee

Blackburn is a staunch supporter of Trump and helped pass the One Big Beautiful Bill Act into law.

Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) listens at a news conference on the Supreme Court at the U.S. Capitol on July 19, 2023. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) announced on Aug. 6 her campaign for governor of Tennessee.

“[President Donald] Trump is back,” she said in a video announcing her run. “America is blessed. And Tennessee, better than ever.

“Tennessee is the greatest place in the world to rear a family, make a life and a living, and together, we can make our great state even better.”

Blackburn pledged to make Tennessee the leading jobs-creating and energy-producing state in the United States, bring top-notch education for kids, and deport illegal immigrants.

“We‘ll honor the Constitution, we’ll value life, and we'll define our boys and girls the way God made them,” she said.

Throughout the video, she emphasized her support for Trump.

Blackburn has been in the Senate since 2019, previously serving in the House between 2003 and 2019. She served in the Tennessee Senate between 1999 and 2003. She was also the executive director of the Tennessee Film, Entertainment, and Music Commission between 1995 and 1997.

Blackburn easily won reelection to the Senate in 2024, defeating Tennessee state Rep. Gloria Johnson, a Democrat, with almost 64 percent of the vote.

Were Blackburn to win the gubernatorial election, a successor to the Senate would need to be named by the governor. It is unclear whether current Gov. Bill Lee would name the successor or wait until Blackburn is sworn into office to name one.

Blackburn is a staunch supporter of Trump.

“In his first six months, President Trump has made historic strides in Making America Great Again, but as he sends power back to the states, he’s going to need strong conservative governors who can bring that revolution home,” Blackburn said in an Aug. 6 statement.

“I’m running to serve as Tennessee’s next governor to ensure Tennessee is America’s conservative leader.”

Blackburn helped pass the One Big Beautiful Bill Act into law.

“Today, Senate Republicans kept our promise to the American people and accomplished a once-in-a-generation victory for our country,” she said in a July 1 statement.

“The One Big Beautiful Bill Act prevents the largest tax hike in American history and secures the largest tax cut ever for individuals and families who endured four years of crushing inflation and reckless spending. We are investing in America, cracking down on illegal immigration, and giving American families relief from Joe Biden’s failed economic agenda.”

Blackburn has already earned the support of one member of Congress.

In a March 6 post on X, Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (R-Tenn.) said Blackburn was the “clear conservative choice for Tennessee’s next governor.”

Rep. John Rose (R-Tenn.) is also running as a Republican candidate, and Memphis City Councilwoman Jerri Green is running as a candidate for the Democratic Party.