Marsha Blackburn Reportedly Considering 2026 Tennessee Gubernatorial Bid

The Republican senator is said to be making calls about a potential run to succeed term-limited Governor Bill Lee.

Senator Marsha Blackburn, a Republican from Tennessee, is reportedly exploring a run for governor in 2026, according to sources cited by Axios.
Blackburn has been reaching out to political figures in Washington, D.C., and Tennessee, signaling her likely candidacy for the open gubernatorial seat.
Current Governor Bill Lee is term-limited, leaving the race open in a state that strongly leans Republican, making the GOP primary highly significant.
Blackburn, a staunch ally of President-elect Donald Trump, has received early support from prominent Tennessee conservatives, including Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs and Daily Wire CEO Jeremy Boreing.
If she enters and wins, Blackburn would become Tennessee's first female governor, adding to her history as the state's first female senator.