Sen. Marsha Blackburn defeated Rep. John Rose to win the Republican nomination for Tennessee governor, according to NBC News. The former senator secured 43.8 percent of the vote while Rose took 32.7 percent, per the Washington Examiner. She now holds the distinction of being Tennessee’s inaugural female senator thanks to this win, making her the probable successor for the governorship.
Blackburn, 74, has served in the House since 2003 and won her Senate seat in 2018. If she wins the general election, she will become the first female governor in state history, NBC News reports. She faces Democrat Jerri Green in November, a matchup that should be a heavy favorite in this deep-red state.
Senator Marsha Blackburn takes the stage for her victory speech in the TN Governor GOP Primary. @realDailyWire. pic.twitter.com/kk95jU8xD6
— Lynden Blake (@LyndenBlake) August 7, 2026
Both candidates sought the support of President Donald Trump, who decided not to endorse either contender. The Tennessee Freedom Fund spent heavily to link Blackburn to the president, airing ads with Trump calling her “an incredible person” and saying: “Fantastic job you did. We’re proud of you,” according to NBC News. Rose outspent Blackburn with $15 million in his war chest compared to her $10.8 million, per reports. For background, see Rhoden Smacks Down Outsider to Lock South Dakota Runoff.
Trump praised Blackburn at a rally in January but admitted he wanted her to stay in the Senate. He told the crowd, “Unfortunately, she’s running for governor,” and added, “I’d love her not to. I begged her: ‘I said, ‘Marsha, don’t. We don’t want to lose you in the Senate.'” per NBC News. According to reports, Trump informed congressional delegation members aboard Air Force One that he would withhold endorsement from Blackburn due to his ties with Rose.
Despite the lack of an official nod, Blackburn’s campaign focused on economic growth and keeping taxes low. She stated she wanted to make Tennessee the “most conservative state in the country,” according to Breitbart. Her record includes fighting against state income taxes and taking on Big Tech to protect children online.
Blackburn’s victory ensures that Tennessee will likely keep its governor’s mansion in Republican hands for another term. She campaigned on reducing unnecessary spending and regulations while protecting women’s sports from Biden administration rules. The state has added over 400,000 residents since 2020 and ranks as a top state for business, according to Breitbart. (more on that in Judge Smacks Down Haiti TPS Block for 350,000 Residents)
If she takes office, her Senate seat will become vacant until a successor is appointed for the 2028 election. This shift brings a proven fighter to the state’s highest office. Blackburn has been a true fighter for the people of Tennessee since she first entered Congress. Her win signals a continued focus on stopping Communist China and protecting local land, as she demonstrated in a viral ad where she crushed a fortune cookie. As she said, “It doesn’t take a fortune cookie to figure it out: here in Tennessee, we’re going to stop Communist China and protect Tennessee land,” per the Daily Wire.
