U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn, a Republican from Tennessee, won the GOP primary on August 6, 2026, to replace outgoing Governor Bill Lee, who is term-limited. Blackburn is expected to be the next governor of Tennessee, a state that has not elected a Democrat to the position since 2006. Governor Lee, who has held the office since 2019, did not endorse any candidate in the primary but expressed a close relationship with Blackburn.
In her campaign, Blackburn emphasized key Republican issues, including immigration, stating her intention to deport illegal immigrants and combat drug trafficking. She also pledged to prevent foreign ownership of Tennessee land, referencing a viral campaign ad where she crushed a fortune cookie to symbolize her stance against China.
Blackburn will face Democratic opponent Jerri Green, a Memphis City Councilwoman and Chief Public Defender, in the general election scheduled for November 3, 2026. Blackburn's primary opponents included Rep. John Rose, who focused on local solutions, and State Rep. Monty Fritts, who advocated for a small-government approach but faced controversy for his remarks on Islam. Blackburn's victory positions her as a strong contender in the upcoming election.