Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) has won the Tennessee Republican gubernatorial primary.

Blackburn seeks to succeed term-limited Republican Gov. Bill Lee.

The two-term senator defeated Rep. John Rose (R-TN) and state Rep. Monty Fritts in a race in which President Trump declined to endorse.

NBC News shared further:

She will be a heavy favorite in the general election in the red state to succeed term-limited Republican Gov. Bill Lee. Jerri Green, a member of the Memphis City Council, won the Democratic nomination.

Blackburn is considered one of the most conservative members of the Senate, known for her stances on abortion and transgender rights and her criticism of China’s influence.

ADVERTISEMENT

While Trump stayed out of the race, Blackburn and Rose both leaned on his name.

The Tennessee Freedom Fund, a pro-Blackburn outside group, has spent heavily to tie her to Trump, airing advertisements featuring clips of Trump referring to her as “an incredible person” and saying: “Fantastic job you did. We’re proud of you.”

At a rally in Washington in January, Trump praised Blackburn, saying, “Unfortunately, she’s running for governor,” and adding: “I’d love her not to. I begged her: ‘I said, ‘Marsha, don’t. We don’t want to lose you in the Senate.’”

But the Nashville Banner reported that Trump told members of Tennessee’s congressional delegation on a flight to Memphis on Air Force One that he would not endorse Blackburn because of his relationship with Rose, according to two members of Congress who were present for the conversation. Rose, who represents Tennessee’s 6th District, is a former state agriculture commissioner who also positioned himself as a loyal Trump ally.

“From the bottom of my heart, thank you, Tennessee! One year ago, we set out on this journey with one goal: to make Tennessee America’s conservative leader and show the nation what strong, bold, conservative leadership looks like,” Blackburn said.

“Tonight, I am humbled and honored that you’ve chosen me as your Republican nominee for Governor. Together, we’ve taken a major step toward that goal. I won’t let you down. On to November,” she added.

With 99 percent of expected votes in, Blackburn had 43.4 percent.

Rose finished second with 32.9 percent, while Fritts tallied 23.4 percent.

Fox News has more:

Tennessee’s other U.S. senator, Republican Bill Hagerty, is unopposed in the GOP primary as he seeks a second six-year term in the Senate.

ADVERTISEMENT

Five Democrats are vying to challenge Hagerty in the general election. Then-Sen. Al Gore’s re-election 36 years ago was the last time a Democrat won a Senate contest in Tennessee.

In U.S. House battles, Memphis voters will cast ballots for their Democratic and Republican nominees using a new GOP-drawn congressional district map that created an extra right-leaning seat and forced longtime Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen to not seek re-election.

Meanwhile, two-term Republican Rep. Andy Ogles, a major Trump ally in the House who is backed by the president, is facing a stiff primary challenge from Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher, who was endorsed earlier this week by Lee. The race has seen a large infusion of money from outside groups.

 

Join The Conversation. Leave a Comment.