Sen. Marsha Blackburn has secured the Republican nomination for governor of Tennessee, according to projections by NBC News. She emerged victorious over Rep. John Rose in a race notable for the absence of President Donald Trump’s endorsement.
Blackburn, aged 74, made history as the first woman to represent Tennessee in the Senate after her election in 2018. Previously, she had served in the House since 2003. Should she win the governorship, she will become Tennessee’s first female governor.
In the general election, Blackburn will be the strong favorite in a consistently Republican state. Gov. Bill Lee, a Republican, cannot run again due to term limits. Jerri Green, a member of the Memphis City Council, will be her Democratic opponent.
Known for her conservative positions, Blackburn has taken firm stances on issues like abortion and transgender rights. She is also a vocal critic of China. Despite Trump not endorsing, both Blackburn and Rose leveraged his influence.
“An incredible person,” Trump remarked about Blackburn, although he chose not to formally support her in the race. He expressed regret at a rally stating, “Unfortunately, she’s running for governor. I begged her: ‘Marsha, don’t. We don’t want to lose you in the Senate.'”
The Tennessee Freedom Fund, a group supporting Blackburn, spent considerably on advertising to associate her with Trump. These ads included clips of Trump praising Blackburn’s work.
Reports from the Nashville Banner indicate that Trump refrained from endorsing due to his connection with Rose. During a discussion on a flight to Memphis aboard Air Force One, Trump told members of Tennessee’s congressional delegation about his decision.
John Rose, representative of Tennessee’s 6th District and a former state agriculture commissioner, also presented himself as a staunch Trump supporter. He invested nearly $13 million from personal funds in his gubernatorial campaign.
This race represents an uncommon Republican contest where Trump remained neutral. In contrast, he has supported multiple candidates in previous races, like the GOP race in South Carolina.
Blackburn joins several other senators pursuing gubernatorial roles this election cycle. Among them, GOP Sen. Tommy Tuberville won Alabama’s nomination, while Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet lost in Colorado. Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar is set to appear on the ballot for governor in Minnesota soon.