Marsha Blackburn won the Aug. 6 Republican primary for Tennessee governor with 43.6% of the vote, according to WSMV.
She received 308,322 votes, defeating John Rose at 33.0% and Monty Fritts at 23.4%. Blackburn, a U.S. senator since 2019, was the first woman elected to that office from Tennessee, according to WSMV. At 74, she would be the state's oldest and first female governor if elected, the Nashville Banner reported.
She faces Democrat Jerri Green in the Nov. 3 general election, along with multiple independent candidates, according to BallotReady election data.
The independents on the ballot are Charles Van Morgan, Dave Seeman, David Hatley, Dean Brewer, Eddie Lee Murphy, Karl Knox Smithson, L. Webb Taylor, Lauren Pinkston, Misam Abidi, Ray Brown, Robert C. Vick, Victor L. Scoggin and Wendell Jackson.
Candidate information
- Party: Republican
- Residence: Williamson County, Tennessee
- Education: Bachelor's degree in home economics, Mississippi State University
- Family: Married; two children; four grandchildren, according to her campaign website
Blackburn said she attended college on a 4-H scholarship, according to her campaign website. She was born and raised in Mississippi before moving to Williamson County.
Experience and public service
- U.S. senator, 2019 to present
- U.S. representative, 2003 to 2018
- Tennessee state senator, 1998
- Executive director, Tennessee Film, Entertainment, and Music Commission, 1995
- Co-founder, Williamson County Young Republicans
- Platform committee chair, 2024 Republican National Convention
On the issues
The following positions are drawn from Blackburn's campaign website and public statements attributed to the candidate. They reflect her stated platform, not independently verified claims.
Taxes and spending: Blackburn said she led the fight against a state income tax while serving in the Tennessee State Senate, according to her campaign website. She said she would keep taxes low, cut spending and reduce regulations to attract companies and jobs to Tennessee. She said she supports evaluating state government for opportunities to cut waste and save taxpayer money.
Education: Blackburn said she would expand the Education Freedom Scholarship program, according to a response published by the Nashville Banner. She said no parent should have to win a lottery to choose their child's school. She also said she would strengthen Tennessee's 529 college savings program and encourage public-private partnerships for higher education facilities, according to her campaign website.
Immigration and public safety: Blackburn said immigration enforcement and public safety would be top priorities as governor, according to her campaign website. She said she would ensure illegal immigrants know Tennessee will enforce the rule of law. She said she supports law enforcement and would provide resources to first responders fighting drug trafficking.
Energy and agriculture: Blackburn said she plans to grow nuclear energy in Tennessee, according to the Chattanooga Times Free Press. She said she is concerned about the rate at which Tennessee farmland is being developed. She would push for a complete ban on Chinese ownership of land in the state, according to her campaign website.
Election reform: Blackburn said she supports closing Republican primaries by implementing party registration, according to her campaign website. She said voters who want to help choose Republican nominees should declare party affiliation before election day.
Endorsements
The Nashville Banner reported endorsements from the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Americans for Prosperity. BallotReady listed endorsements from the following organizations:
- Stand With Crypto
- Value In Electing Women Political Action Committee
- Turning Point Action
- Club for Growth
Candidate responses were drawn from Blackburn's campaign website and published news coverage. The Hendersonville Register did not interview the candidate for this profile.
