Senator Marsha Blackburn, a Republican from Tennessee, has secured the Republican nomination for governor of Tennessee. NBC News projects her win over Representative John Rose, despite President Donald Trump opting not to endorse either candidate in the race.
Blackburn, 74, gained historical significance as the first woman to represent Tennessee in the Senate, following her election in 2018. She previously served in the House starting from 2003. Should she emerge victorious in the governor’s race, Blackburn would become Tennessee’s first female governor.
The state leans heavily towards Republicans, making Blackburn the clear favorite to succeed the term-limited Republican Governor Bill Lee in the upcoming general election. The Democratic nomination went to Jerri Green, who serves on the Memphis City Council.
Widely recognized as one of the Senate’s most conservative members, Blackburn is noted for her positions on issues such as abortion and transgender rights, as well as her outspoken stance on China’s influence. Although Trump did not publicly support her candidacy, both Blackburn and Rose associated themselves with his name.
The Tennessee Freedom Fund, a group that supports Blackburn, invested heavily in connecting her to Trump through advertisements. These ads showcased clips where Trump lauded her as “an incredible person” and acknowledged her accomplishments, expressing pride in her efforts. During a rally in Washington, Trump remarked on her gubernatorial run, expressing regret: “Unfortunately, she’s running for governor. I’d love her not to. I begged her: ‘I said, ‘Marsha, don’t. We don’t want to lose you in the Senate.’”
Nonetheless, the Nashville Banner reported that Trump had privately conveyed to Tennessee’s congressional delegation during a flight to Memphis on Air Force One that he would not endorse Blackburn due to his relationship with Rose, according to two members present at the discussion. Rose, the representative of Tennessee’s 6th District, is a former state agriculture commissioner and also positioned himself as a dedicated Trump ally.
This race stands out as an unusual case where Trump remained neutral, foregoing a public endorsement. In the past, Trump has even double-endorsed GOP candidates in scenarios like a South Carolina race, where he extended support to both state Attorney General Alan Wilson and Lt. Governor Pamela Evette.
Rose invested considerable personal funds, spending almost $13 million, in his pursuit of the gubernatorial position.
Blackburn joins an unusually large cohort of senators campaigning for governorships during this election cycle. Notably, GOP Senator Tommy Tuberville won Alabama’s gubernatorial nomination, while Democratic Senator Michael Bennet lost in Colorado. Meanwhile, Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar is preparing to enter the gubernatorial race in Minnesota next week.