GOP Sen. Marsha Blackburn Running For Governor In Tennessee

Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) announced Wednesday her bid for governor in Tennessee for next year’s election, becoming the favorite to succeed term-limited GOP Gov. Bill Lee.

“Trump is back, America is blessed, and Tennessee is better than ever,” the MAGA lawmaker said in a video released by her campaign that was filled with images of President Donald Trump.

“I love Tennessee, I believe in Tennesseans, and I’m ready to deliver the kind of conservative leadership that will ensure our state is America’s conservative leader for this generation and the next,” she added.

Blackburn is the third sitting senator to announce a run for governor in 2026, joining Tommy Tuberville of Alabama and Michael Bennet of Colorado. A staunch conservative, she’s likely to instantly vault to front-runner status against Rep. John Rose (R-Tenn.), who announced his bid for governor earlier this year.

If elected, Blackburn would become the first woman electedgovernor in the state’s history. She was also the first woman to be elected to the U.S. Senate from Tennessee in 2018.