Polling Average
80%60%40%20%0%
58.2%
10.7%
Tennessee Republican Governor nominee?
$12.1K
AUG 7, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleU.S. Senator
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
Age74 years old (Jun 6, 1952)
GenderFemale
Show moreShow less
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.orgreuters.comsenate.goves.wikipedia.orgperiodicalpress.senate.govmoran.senate.govcongress.govwarner.senate.govcommons.wikimedia.orgupload.wikimedia.orgcortezmasto.senate.govcruz.senate.govepw.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.
Show moreShow less
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 updatedMar 14, 2026
Marsha Blackburn is in the news as a contender for the Republican nomination for Tennessee governor. She is expected to face U.S. Rep. John Rose and state Rep. Monty Fritts in the August 6 primary, with Rose already campaigning and positioning himself as a conservative outsider.
blackburn.senate.gov+30
Polls
Tennessee Republican Governor nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
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
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements