Glenn Jacobs, the former mayor of Knox County, Tennessee, better known as former WWE star ‘Kane,’ is reportedly among the frontrunners for Sen. Marsha Blackburn’s seat once she becomes governor of the Volunteer State.

Blackburn will vacate the seat when she is sworn in as governor and plans to appoint a replacement.

According to The Washington Sun, some sources have indicated Jacobs has the advantage in getting the appointment.

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Two Republican operatives familiar with Tennessee politics and a person who has spoken with Jacobs suggested that he has an advantage, citing his longstanding relationship with Blackburn and her advisers.

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“Based on [what happened], it’s even more likely for Glenn,” one of the operatives told The Washington Sun, pointing to Hegseth’s official ouster from consideration.

Jacobs, the ex-WWE star turned two-term mayor, is a client of Ward Baker, the top consultant for Blackburn. He has also become an increasingly close ally of the governor-elect.

“Every time I saw Marsha, Glenn wasn’t very far behind,” said Kim Perry, the president of Perry Strategies, a Tennessee-based political consulting firm.

Jacobs also brings something most politicians can’t buy: instant name recognition.

“Here in Shelby County and the Memphis metro area, where we live, we love our wrestling here, so people know him,” Perry said.

The Republican operative said Jacobs, who is libertarian-leaning and hails from East Tennessee rather than the greater Nashville area, has a unique ability to connect with establishment Republicans and working-class voters alike.

The operative recalled a visit to a Nashville law firm where Jacobs impressed a group of skeptical lawyers, then was recognized by a security guard who knew him from his wrestling days.

Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) has also expressed interest in the appointment.

Other rumored candidates include Tennessee Deputy Gov. Stuart McWhorter and Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN).

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“I’m double digits above any of them in polling. I raised a million dollars last quarter, which is unheard of for Tim Burchett, and I’ve got a statewide network,” Burchett said in a pitch for the Senate seat.

“I think I could win statewide,” he added.

“I would absolutely take on that role. And if not, I would absolutely run for it in two years,” he continued.

Watch below:

Mediaite noted:

Still, Burchett is open about his wanting Blackburn’s Senate seat and he was a regular at her campaign events. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has also been floated as a possibility, but insiders have mainly dismissed the potential of that happening. Hegseth would also require a waiver for a rule mandating that candidates have voted in four previous Republican primaries in the state.

Blackburn has the power to pick a successor before shifting to her gubernatorial position and her replacement would face a special election in 2028.

 

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