Blackburn announces run for governor

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn has announced she is running for governor. On Wednesday, August 6, she officially launched her campaign.

“It’s official! I’m running for Governor to ensure Tennessee is America’s conservative leader for this generation and the next. I would be honored to have your support,” wrote Blackburn.  She also posted an announcement video beginning with footage from a President Donald Trump rally.

“Donald Trump is back. America is blessed and Tennessee is better than ever. “I’m Marsha Blackburn and here in the Volunteer State we always lead the way and that’s why I am announcing my candidacy for governor.”

Blackburn focused her announcement on plans to increase energy production, education, and deportation of illegal immigrants.

“Respect for the law starts with enforcing it,” Blackburn said. “This is Tennessee. We will honor the Constitution, we’ll value life, and we’ll define our boys and girls the way God made them. I love Tennessee. I believe in Tennessee 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.”

Blackburn made history when she was elected Tennessee’s first female senator in 2018 and then became Tennessee’s senior senator in 2021 following the retirement of Senator Lamar Alexander.

Prior to being elected to the senate, she served in the U.S. House of Representatives for the 7th District of Tennessee from 2003-2019.

The Republican Primary will be held on August 6, 2026. Blackburn will face U.S. Representative John Rose who announced his candidacy in March.

Rose’s campaign released a response to Blackburn’s announcement on Wednesday afternoon.

“John and Senator Blackburn have a mutual respect. Like most Tennessee Republicans, John has voted to keep Senator Blackburn in Washington. But Tennessee is at a crossroads and now we get to have a 365-day conversation about who would make the best CEO of the state. Senator Blackburn is going to talk a lot about Washington. John is going to talk about his record as a CEO, an outsider, and a reformer.

This is going to be a great debate about the future of Tennessee. With a six month head start, John Rose has made a lot of new friends across the state and raised an historic level of resources that will put us on the path to victory,” said Rose Campaign Chair Chris Devaney.

Governor Bill Lee is prevented from seeking re-election due to term limits.

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FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS:

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Republican U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn announced Wednesday that she is entering the open Tennessee governor’s race in 2026, setting up a primary clash with U.S. Rep. John Rose.

Blackburn’s announcement makes official what had been expected for some time from the ally of President Donald Trump. She had made no secret that she was planning on running for the position.

It sets up a Republican primary clash in August 2026 against Rose who is also a Trump backer. They will be competing to replace GOP Gov. Bill Lee, who is hitting his limit of two consecutive four-year terms in office.

Blackburn became the first woman to represent Tennessee in the U.S. Senate. If elected, she would be the state’s first female governor, as well.

Blackburn won her Senate seat in 2018 by nearly 11 percentage points over Democrat Phil Bredesen, a popular former governor. That victory marked a rightward shift from previous Republican senators who have represented the state. She then won reelection against Democratic state Rep. Gloria Johnson by more than 29 percentage points last November.

First elected to the U.S. House in 2002, Blackburn aligned with the tea party movement and regularly appeared on Fox News. Before that, the Brentwood resident made a name for herself as a state lawmaker who helped lead the revolt against a proposed Tennessee income tax in the early 2000s.

In an opening campaign ad, Blackburn lauded Trump, promised leadership in job creation and energy production and hit on timely conservative themes — for example, empowering parents in education, defining “boys and girls the way God made them,” and deporting immigrants in the country illegally, “whether it takes planes, trains or starships.”

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

Rose, who announced his bid for governor in March, likewise has voiced strong support for Trump in a state that Trump has easily won in the past three presidential elections. Trump won Tennessee in 2024 by nearly 30 points and Lee defeated a Democratic opponent in 2022 by 32 percentage points. The president’s endorsement will be highly sought-after in the Republican primary.

Blackburn’s prior statements about considering a bid for governor scared off some prominent Republicans who may have otherwise run.

Rose, a Cookeville businessman and farmer who can tap into personal wealth, lent his campaign $5 million and raised $1.1 million from donors through June.

Because Blackburn was reelected to another six-year term last year, her Senate seat isn’t at risk by running for governor. If Blackburn wins, a Senate seat opens up and Blackburn, as governor, would possibly get to appoint the temporary replacement. Rose’s congressional seat is an open contest next year, as well.

Cito Pellegra of Arlington joins Blackburn and Rose in the GOP primary.

Several Democrats have announced or opened fundraising accounts for the race so far. They include Memphis city councilmember Jerri Green, Memphis community advocate Carnita Atwater, musician Adam “Ditch” Kurtz and Tim Cyr from Gallatin.

The primary election for governor is Aug. 6, 2026.