Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) announced she will run for Tennessee governor.

“It’s official! I’m running for Governor to ensure Tennessee is America’s conservative leader for this generation and the next,” Blackburn announced.

“I would be honored to have your support,” she added.

“Here in the Volunteer State, we always lead the way. And that’s why I am announcing my candidacy for governor,” Blackburn said in a campaign ad.

Watch the ad:

The announcement sets up a primary clash between Blackburn and Rep. John Rose (R-TN) to replace Gov. Bill Lee, who is term-limited.

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Blackburn is a prominent force in Republican politics in the state, having served in elected office there for a quarter-century, taken high-profile roles in the Senate on issues like abortion and banning transgender athletes from women’s sports, and cultivated a relationship with Trump. The president has not yet weighed in on the race.

If Blackburn were to win, she would have to vacate her seat to which she was re-elected in November. As governor, she would have the ability to appoint her temporary successor before a special election to fill the seat.

Blackburn is the third sitting senator to announce a run for governor this year after Alabama Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville and Colorado Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet.

Blackburn received support from other Tennessee figures after her announcement:

The Associated Press noted:

Blackburn won her Senate seat in 2018 by nearly 11 percentage points over Democrat Phil Bredesen, a popular former governor. That victory marked a rightward shift from previous Republican senators who have represented the state. She then won reelection against Democratic state Rep. Gloria Johnson by more than 29 percentage points last November.

First elected to the U.S. House in 2002, Blackburn aligned with the tea party movement and regularly appeared on Fox News. Before that, the Brentwood resident made a name for herself as a state lawmaker who helped lead the revolt against a proposed Tennessee income tax in the early 2000s.

In an opening campaign ad, Blackburn lauded Trump, promised leadership in job creation and energy production and hit on timely conservative themes — for example, empowering parents in education, defining “boys and girls the way God made them,” and deporting immigrants in the country illegally, “whether it takes planes, trains or starships.”

“In his first six months, President Trump has made historic strides in Making America Great Again, but as he sends power back to the states, he’s going to need strong conservative governors who can bring that revolution home,” Blackburn said in an announcement news release. “I’m running to serve as Tennessee’s next governor to ensure Tennessee is America’s conservative leader.”

 

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