Republican U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn officially launched her campaign for Tennessee governor on Wednesday, confirming long-standing speculation about her political intentions. Her entry into the race sets up a high-profile GOP primary battle in 2026 with U.S. Representative John Rose.
Both Blackburn and Rose are staunch allies of former President Donald Trump, positioning the race as a contest between two prominent Trump-aligned Republicans. They are seeking to replace current GOP Governor Bill Lee, who is term-limited after serving two four-year terms.
Blackburn made history as the first woman to represent Tennessee in the U.S. Senate. If successful in her gubernatorial bid, she would also become the first female governor in the state’s history.
She first secured her Senate seat in 2018 with a nearly 11-point victory over Democrat Phil Bredesen, a former governor with wide name recognition. Blackburn then easily won reelection in 2024, defeating Democratic state Rep. Gloria Johnson by more than 29 points.
Blackburn has long been a notable conservative voice in Tennessee politics. Elected to Congress in 2002, she aligned with the tea party movement and became a frequent presence on Fox News. Earlier in her career, as a state legislator, she played a central role in opposing a proposed state income tax in the early 2000s—a move that helped cement her conservative credentials.
In her opening campaign ad for governor, Blackburn praised Trump’s leadership, promised to focus on job growth and energy production, and emphasized several core conservative themes. These included advocating for parental control in education, affirming traditional gender identities, and pledging to deport undocumented immigrants “whether it takes planes, trains, or starships.”
“President Trump has made major strides in his first six months to Make America Great Again,” Blackburn said in her campaign launch. “As he returns power to the states, strong conservative governors will be essential. I’m running to make sure Tennessee leads the way.”
John Rose, a businessman and farmer from Cookeville, announced his candidacy back in March. Like Blackburn, he’s closely aligned with Trump, whose influence remains strong in Tennessee. Trump won the state by nearly 30 points in the 2024 presidential election, and Governor Lee secured reelection in 2022 by 32 points. In a crowded Republican primary, Trump’s endorsement is expected to carry significant weight.
The possibility of Blackburn entering the race had already discouraged some potential GOP contenders from stepping forward.
Rose has a financial edge early on. He loaned his campaign $5 million and raised an additional $1.1 million from donors through June. His campaign chairman, Chris Devaney, acknowledged that both Rose and Blackburn respect each other and noted that Rose previously voted to keep Blackburn in the Senate.
Still, Devaney suggested the campaign will be a battle of visions. “Senator Blackburn is going to focus on her experience in Washington,” he said. “John will highlight his record as a CEO, an outsider, and a reformer.”
Blackburn does not risk her Senate seat by running for governor, as she was just reelected to a six-year term. If she wins the governorship, the vacant Senate seat would likely be temporarily filled by an appointee—possibly selected by Blackburn herself. Rose’s congressional seat will also be up for grabs in 2026.
The Republican primary field includes Cito Pellegra of Arlington, who has also declared his candidacy.
On the Democratic side, several contenders have already entered the race or begun raising funds. These include Memphis city councilmember Jerri Green, community activist Carnita Atwater, musician Adam “Ditch” Kurtz, and Tim Cyr of Gallatin.
Tennessee’s primary election for governor is scheduled for August 6, 2026.
Also Read:
Ex-Tennessee coach Derek Dooley declares run for Georgia Senate in 2026
