In a significant political development for Tennessee, Republican U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn has officially declared her candidacy for the governor’s race in 2026. Her announcement on Wednesday heralds an anticipated primary battle with fellow Republican and U.S. Representative John Rose. This contest is particularly noteworthy as both candidates are staunch supporters of former President Donald Trump, setting the stage for a fierce competition among Trump loyalists as they vie for the governor’s mansion.
Blackburn’s move to enter the gubernatorial race has been widely speculated, and her confirmation comes as she gears up to replace the outgoing GOP Governor Bill Lee, who is reaching the end of his second consecutive term, as mandated by state law. The primary election is slated for August 2026, and it presents a pivotal moment in Tennessee’s political landscape. Blackburn’s influence and commitment to conservative values position her as a formidable contender in the Republican primary.
The political landscape has shifted considerably since Blackburn was elected to the Senate in 2018, when she defeated popular Democrat Phil Bredesen by nearly 11 percentage points. This victory marked a rightward turn for Tennessee politics, diverging from a more moderate Republican representation in previous years. In the November 2022 elections, she solidified her standing further by winning reelection against Democratic state Representative Gloria Johnson, achieving a resounding margin of over 29 percentage points.
Marsha Blackburn’s political career began when she was first elected to the U.S. House in 2002. Her alignment with the Tea Party movement helped catapult her to prominence, and she has since established herself as a regular figure on Fox News while gaining recognition for her legislative efforts. Before ascending to Congress, Blackburn served as a state lawmaker and famously opposed the introduction of an income tax in Tennessee in the early 2000s. Her deep roots in the state and considerable political experience lend weight to her candidacy for governor.
In her initial campaign advertisement, Blackburn emphasizes her allegiance to Trump and promotes a platform steeped in conservative principles. She has pledged to focus on job creation and energy production, echoing themes that resonate with her base. Additionally, her stance on education and immigration reflects traditional conservative values, encapsulated in statements about “empowering parents” in education and the deportation of undocumented immigrants by any means necessary.
Blackburn articulates her motivation in the race, stating, “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.” This rhetoric exhibits her intent to align Tennessee’s policies with Trump’s broader vision for America.
Competing against Blackburn in the Republican primary is John Rose, who announced his intentions to run earlier this year. He shares a similar commitment to Trump’s ideology in a state where the former president has historically enjoyed overwhelming support, winning Tennessee by nearly 30 points in the 2024 election. Lee’s significant reelection margin in 2022, defeating his Democratic opponent by 32 percentage points, adds to the Republican foothold in Tennessee.
While Blackburn’s entry may have unsettled some potential Republican candidates, Rose has managed to build a formidable war chest for his campaign, reportedly lending his candidacy $5 million while also raising over $1.1 million from contributors as of June. Other Republican hopefuls include Cito Pellegra of Arlington, who also qualifies for the party primary.
On the Democratic side, the race is garnering attention with several candidates having declared their intentions or created fundraising accounts. Notable figures include Memphis city council member Jerri Green, community advocate Carnita Atwater, musician Adam “Ditch” Kurtz, and Tim Cyr from Gallatin. As the election approaches, the political dynamics are likely to evolve, with both parties mobilizing to claim the gubernatorial seat in Tennessee come 2026.
