Polling Average
80%60%40%20%0%
57.0%
12.2%
7.0%
Tennessee Republican Governor nominee?
$34.6K
AUG 7, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleU.S. Senator
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
Age74 years old (Jun 6, 1952)
GenderFemale
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LocationTennessee
BackgroundPolitician
EducationMississippi State University (B.S., Home Economics, 1973)
Notable personal detailsMary Marsha Blackburn is an American politician who has served as the senior U.S. Senator from Tennessee since January 3, 2019, and was reelected in November 2024 for a second term. She previously represented Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2003 to 2019 and served in the Tennessee State Senate from 1999 to 2003. Blackburn attended Mississippi State University on a 4-H scholarship and earned a bachelor’s degree in home economics in 1973. She has also worked in the private sector and served as executive director of the Tennessee Film, Entertainment, and Music Commission (1995–1997).
SourcesShowHide
blackburn.senate.goven.wikipedia.orgbritannica.commarshablackburn.comapnews.comtheguardian.compeople.comfacebook.comteenvogue.comidcrawl.comliveaction.orgprotectmycare.orgwvlt.tvwbbjtv.comtheimmigrationhub.orgnewsmax.comjustfacts.votesmart.orgnrapvf.orgontheissues.orgnashvillebanner.comwsmv.comtennesseelookout.comactionnews5.compro.stateaffairs.compbs.orgsubscriber.politicopro.comcbsnews.comtennessean.comtimesfreepress.comreutersconnect.comfox17.comfoxbusiness.comnewschannel5.comthehill.comsenate.govappropriations.senate.goves.wikipedia.orgdemocrats.senate.govschiff.senate.govmoody.senate.govkaine.senate.govru.wikipedia.orgwhitehouse.senate.govcantwell.senate.govjudiciary.senate.govcommons.wikimedia.orgupload.wikimedia.orgfec.govcortezmasto.senate.govvoterguide.ballotpedia.orgcongress.govwarner.senate.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports tax relief (including reducing taxes on Social Security benefits and tax changes benefiting low- and middle-income households and business owners) and advocates spending cuts and fiscally conservative tax policies to provide relief to families and businesses. Has proposed budget cuts and praised/advanced legislation and tax provisions that reduce tax burdens. Serves on the Senate Finance Committee and frames policy toward lower taxes and reduced federal spending.
Healthcare
Marsha Blackburn supports market-based health care reforms, expanding telehealth and state-led Medicaid innovations while opposing Democratic expansions of federal health subsidies. She has a long record of opposing the Affordable Care Act and supporting efforts to repeal or roll back its federal mandates. Her Senate work emphasizes patient choice, prescription drug reforms targeting PBMs, and increased state flexibility in Medicaid.
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Immigration & Border
The candidate emphasizes strict border enforcement, opposes legalizing illegal entry, and supports stronger physical barriers and deportation/ removal measures. She has sponsored and promoted measures to allow local/state barriers and to detain and deport undocumented individuals who commit crimes, and she has criticized bipartisan deals she views as weakening enforcement. Her public statements and sponsored legislation prioritize enforcement-first solutions.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports strong restrictions on abortion and actions to recognize and protect unborn life, opposes taxpayer funding for abortion providers, and backed returning abortion policy decisions to the states after Dobbs. Has sponsored and supported legislation to restrict federal funding for abortion and to extend legal protections to unborn children.
Climate & Energy
Supports U.S. energy independence and policies that promote domestic fossil fuel and nuclear production while opposing international climate agreements and regulatory measures she views as job-killing. Advocates permitting and incentives for American energy projects and has sponsored legislation to block U.S. participation or funding for the Paris Agreement.
Public Safety & Guns
Opposes most new gun regulations and positions herself as a strong defender of the Second Amendment, supporting legal protections for gun manufacturers and laws that expand or protect gun-carry rights while opposing measures like the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. Has received high ratings and endorsements from major pro-gun organizations. Has pushed back against expanded federal gun restrictions and actions by federal agencies perceived as limiting gun rights.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 10, 2026
Marsha Blackburn is in the news mainly for her Tennessee governor campaign, where she remains the Republican frontrunner. She recently released an anti-China campaign ad focused on blocking Chinese companies from buying land in Tennessee, which drew criticism online. She has also faced pressure to agree to public debates before early voting begins, and a complaint over her campaign fund use was rejected by Tennessee election officials. Separately, she has pushed for Tennessee redistricting that would favor Republicans, including targeting the Memphis seat.
blackburn.senate.gov+51
Articles
KNKnoxville News-Sentinel14 hours ago
TN House Speaker 'would love to see a debate' between GOP gov rivals
Positive
TDThe Daily Beast2 days ago
MAGA Senator Called Out for ‘Sickening’ Chinese Restaurant Ad
Neutral
CNCBS News2 months ago
Tennessee and Alabama take steps to redraw House maps in wake of Supreme Court ruling
Neutral
KNKnoxville News-Sentinel2 months ago
Sen. Blackburn calls to redistrict Tennessee congressional map
Neutral
Polls
Tennessee Republican Governor nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
Tennessee Republican Governor nominee?
Endorsers of Marsha Blackburn for Tennessee Republican Governor nominee?
Club for Growth PAC
Elected official
Club for Growth PAC endorsed Marsha Blackburn for Tennessee governor in the 2026 Republican primary.
Shane Reeves
Elected official
State Sen. Shane Reeves endorsed Marsha Blackburn for governor.
Shelby County Deputy Sheriff's Association
Elected official
The Shelby County Deputy Sheriff's Association endorsed Marsha Blackburn for governor.
Tim Burchett
Elected official
Rep. Tim Burchett endorsed Marsha Blackburn for Tennessee governor.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$13.6M
$10.2M
$6.8M
$3.4M
$0
2022
2024
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2022
$3.2M
$3.6M
$1.3M
$52.2K
Cycle 2024
$13.6M
$5.1M
$12.1M
$502.5K
Cycle 2026
$2.8M
$5.1M
$2.8M
$188.7K
Source: FEC