Marsha Blackburn, a Republican and U.S. senator since 2019, is running for governor of Tennessee in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. Blackburn, a Williamson County resident, won the Republican primary on Aug. 6 with 43.6% of the vote, or 308,322 votes, defeating John Rose and Monty Fritts, according to WSMV.

Blackburn faces Democratic nominee Jerri Green and multiple independent candidates in the general election, according to BallotReady election data. At 74, Blackburn would be the state's oldest governor and its first female governor if elected, according to the Nashville Banner.

Candidate information

  • Party: Republican
  • Residence: Williamson County, Tennessee
  • Education: Bachelor's degree in home economics, Mississippi State University
  • Family: Blackburn said on her campaign website that she attended college on a 4-H scholarship, was born and raised in Mississippi, and moved to Williamson County, where she lives with her husband. She said she has two children and four grandchildren.

Experience and public service

  • U.S. senator, 2019 to present. Blackburn was the first woman elected as a U.S. senator from Tennessee, according to WSMV.
  • U.S. representative, 2003 to 2018
  • Tennessee state senator, 1998
  • Executive director, Tennessee Film, Entertainment, and Music Commission, 1995
  • Platform committee chair, 2024 Republican National Convention
  • Co-founder, Williamson County Young Republicans

On the issues

The following positions are drawn from Blackburn's campaign website and public statements attributed to her campaign. They reflect the candidate's own claims.

Taxes and spending: Blackburn said on her campaign website she led the fight against a state income tax while serving in the Tennessee State Senate. She said she would keep taxes low, cut government waste and reduce regulations to attract businesses and jobs to Tennessee. She said she supports evaluating state government for opportunities to save taxpayer money and reduce fraud.

Education: Blackburn said she supports expanding the Education Freedom Scholarship program. "As governor, I am committed to expanding the Education Freedom Scholarship Program so that every parent has the opportunity to choose the education that best suits the unique needs of their child," she said, according to the Nashville Banner. She said she also supports increasing charter school options and strengthening Tennessee's 529 college savings program.

Immigration and public safety: Blackburn said on her campaign website that her top priority as governor would be keeping Tennesseans safe, including enforcing immigration laws. She said she supports law enforcement and would fight illegal drug trafficking. At a Hamilton County rally, Blackburn said she plans to focus on deportation of unauthorized immigrants and implementing harsh capital punishment for child abuse, according to the Chattanooga Times Free Press.

Energy and agriculture: Blackburn said she wants to grow nuclear energy in Tennessee, according to the Chattanooga Times Free Press. On her campaign website, she said she is concerned about the rate at which Tennessee farmland is being developed and would work to protect farms. She said she supports banning China from owning land in Tennessee.

Infrastructure: Blackburn said on her campaign website she has led efforts to bring broadband to rural communities and is committed to closing the digital divide as governor. She also said she supports restructuring how federal highway projects are selected and maintained.

Endorsements

The following endorsements were reported by the Nashville Banner and BallotReady profile data:

  • Tennessee Chamber of Commerce
  • Americans for Prosperity
  • Stand With Crypto
  • Value In Electing Women Political Action Committee (VIEW PAC)
  • Turning Point Action
  • Club for Growth

Candidate responses in this profile are drawn from Blackburn's campaign website, BallotReady questionnaire data, the Nashville Banner and the Chattanooga Times Free Press. Experience details are from BallotReady profile data and the Nashville Banner. The Brentwood-Nolensville Record did not interview the candidate for this profile.