Marsha Blackburn Launces Bid for Tennessee Governor, Vows to Cement State’s Conservative Legacy
WGNS

Washington, DC – Tennessee Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn is officially in the race for Tennessee governor. In an announcement released Wednesday morning (8/6/2025), Blackburn declared her candidacy with a message aimed squarely at conservative voters: “Trump is back, America is blessed and Tennessee — better than ever.”

The longtime lawmaker, who first entered Congress in 2003 and became Tennessee’s first female U.S. senator in 2019, says she’s running to make the Volunteer State “America’s conservative leader for this generation and the next.” Her campaign leans heavily on her alliance with former President Donald Trump, whom she praised for “historic strides” in his return to the White House. Blackburn added that Trump “needs strong conservative governors who can bring that revolution home.”

If elected, the 73-year-old would become the first woman to serve as governor of Tennessee. Her announcement sets the stage for a high-profile Republican primary, where she’ll face Rep. John Rose, who entered the race back in March.

Blackburn’s political career has long drawn national attention. Her 2018 Senate run made headlines when pop star Taylor Swift broke her political silence to endorse Blackburn’s opponent. Despite the celebrity spotlight, Blackburn won handily and secured re-election last fall.

Now, with Gov. Bill Lee term-limited, Blackburn is positioning herself as the candidate to carry forward Tennessee’s conservative momentum. “Here in the Volunteer State, we always lead the way,” she said. “And that’s why I am announcing my candidacy for governor.”

As the race heats up, expect Tennessee to be in the national spotlight once again. Stay tuned to NewsRadio WGNS for continuing coverage of the 2026 governor’s race.