Sen. Marsha Blackburn formally kicked off her campaign for Tennessee governor Wednesday, becoming the latest federal lawmaker to try to ditch DC to lead their state.
Blackburn, 73, automatically becomes the favorite to succeed the Volunteer State’s term-limited Republican governor, Bill Lee.
“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 (R-Tenn.) said in a statement.
“I’m running to serve as Tennessee’s next governor to ensure Tennessee is America’s conservative leader.”
Blackburn was re-elected to the Senate this past November, meaning that her term isn’t set to end until 2031. If she should win the election, Blackburn will be able to appoint her successor until a special election can be held in 2028.
She was first elected to the upper chamber in 2018 after serving 16 years in the House and has emerged as a top conservative voice on tech policy.
Blackburn is the first woman to represent Tennessee in the Senate and would become the state’s first female governor should she win that office.
Blackburn joins two of her peers, Democrat Michael Bennet of Colorado and Republican Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, who hope to trade the Capitol for their respective states’ gubernatorial mansions in 2026.
Rep. John Rose (R-Tenn.) is the only other declared candidate in the Republican gubernatorial primary.
Other potential GOP candidates include Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett, Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth — though it is unclear if the Pentagon chief meets the requirement to have lived in the state for seven years at the time of the election.
Blackburn enters the race as a popular figure among Tennessee Republicans.
Trump’s pollster, Tony Fabrizio, pegged her at an 82% approval rating among GOP primary voters in January.
