Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) officially tossed her hat in the ring for Tennessee governor on Wednesday morning.
“It’s official! I’m running for Governor to ensure Tennessee is America’s conservative leader for this generation and the next,” Blackburn wrote in a post on social platform X. “I would be honored to have your support.”
The post included a campaign ad that highlighted images and clips of Blackburn with President Trump.
“Trump is back. America is blessed, and Tennessee better than ever. I’m Marsha Blackburn. Here in the Volunteer State, we always lead the way, and that’s why I am announcing my candidacy for governor,” Blackburn said at the start of the video.
She vowed that she would help to make Tennessee the country’s “powerhouse” for creating jobs and producing energy, emphasize parents’ rights to improve education and deport those who are in the country illegally.
“This is Tennessee. We’ll honor the Constitution, we’ll value life, and we’ll define our boys and girls the way God made them. I love Tennessee,” she continued. “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.”
The Volunteer State Republican is running to replace outgoing Gov. Bill Lee (R), who is term limited.
Blackburn is the second Republican to formally seek the GOP nomination for governor next year after Rep. John Rose (R-Tenn.) announced in March that he would run to succeed Lee. Rep. Diana Harshberger (R-Tenn.) had expressed interest in possibly running but only if Blackburn ultimately decided not to.
One other rumored possible candidate is Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, whom NBC News reported has discussed possibly running for governor. But a spokesperson for the Pentagon denied the report, telling the outlet that Hegseth’s focus remains on his job as defense secretary.
Hegseth may also have an issue with eligibility as he may not have lived in the state long enough to run.
As a close Trump ally, Blackburn will hope to be the frontrunner for the Republican nod. She easily won reelection to a second Senate term last year with more than 60 percent of the vote.
On the Democratic side, Memphis City Council member Jerri Green has launched a bid, but whoever wins the GOP nomination will be the clear favorite in the solidly Republican state.
