Sen. Marsha Blackburn Announces She's Running For Governor In Tennessee

Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., is moving for governor, she announced Wednesday, promising to thief her authorities beryllium "America’s blimpish leader" for generations to come.

Blackburn, who would beryllium nan state’s first female politician if she wins, leaned heavy connected her support for President Donald Trump successful a short video posted to X announcing her campaign. The first images successful nan video are of nan president, earlier Blackburn takes complete to declare: "Trump is back, America is blessed, and Tennessee — amended than ever."

"Here successful nan Volunteer State, we ever lead nan way. And that's why I americium announcing my candidacy for governor," she says, promising to bring much jobs and power accumulation to nan state, adding she plans to "deliver a world-class acquisition for our children by empowering parents, not nan heavy state."

She framed herself arsenic a stalwart of blimpish argumentation who will transportation guardant those values arsenic politician — promising to deport forbidden aliens "whether it takes planes, trains aliases starships;" promising to "value life;" waving astatine nan statement complete transgender athletes participating successful women's sports by saying "we'll specify our boys and girls nan measurement God made them."

"I emotion Tennessee, I judge successful Tennesseans, and I'm fresh to present nan benignant of blimpish activity that will guarantee our authorities is America's blimpish leader for this procreation and nan next," she added.

Blackburn will subordinate a superior that includes Rep. John Rose, who has loaned his run $5 cardinal to boost his bid. The state's existent governor, Bill Lee, cannot tally again owed to word limits.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has besides discussed nan thought of moving for governmental office adjacent twelvemonth successful Tennessee, NBC News reported past week, citing 2 group who person spoken pinch him astir it. A Defense Department spokesperson denied he was considering a bid and others successful Hegseth’s orbit told NBC News that he has nary plans to tally for office.

Blackburn is simply a salient unit successful Republican authorities successful nan state, having served successful elected agency location for a quarter-century, taken high-profile roles successful nan Senate connected issues for illustration abortion and banning transgender athletes from women's sports, and cultivated a narration pinch Trump. The president has not yet weighed successful connected nan race.

If Blackburn were to win, she would person to vacate her spot to which she was re-elected successful November. As governor, she would person nan expertise to name her impermanent successor earlier a typical predetermination to capable nan seat.

Blackburn is nan 3rd sitting legislator to denote a tally for politician this twelvemonth aft Alabama Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville and Colorado Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet.