Marsha Blackburn Pitches Bell-to-Bell No Cell Policy in New Campaign Ad
Tennessee Today

(X/@VoteMarsha)

Last week, Marsha Blackburn released her newest campaign ad. The ad focused on education, specifically on banning cell phones in Tennessee schools.

In the ad, Blackburn lays out her new policy, stating “My plan: bell to bell no cell. No excuses. No exceptions… No more posting. No scrolling. Here in Tennessee schools, we’re going to learn.”

Current state policy bans the use of wireless communication devices during “instructional time”; however, outside of that, there are no restrictions at the state level regarding cell phone usage during other parts of the school day. This policy was signed into law by Governor Lee in 2025, placing the burden on school boards to make sure that the bans are implemented.

Blackburn’s proposal would extend the ban to the entirety of the school day, including breaks, study halls, and lunch.

In justification of the stricter policy, Blackburn’s campaign website cites a study by Phones In Focus that found that “where phones are stored during the school day may matter as much as when students are forbidden from using them, and in terms of teacher satisfaction: the stricter the policy, the better.”

Education has been a hallmark of Blackburn’s campaign, with issue stances ranging from increased educational freedom to keeping “woke anti-American curriculum” out of schools, and now banning cell phones during school hours.

Voters can cast their ballots during the early vote period, which ends on August 1st, or on Election Day, August 6th.