Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) is reportedly considering a run for governor of Tennessee.
According to the article Published on Tuesday According to Axios, Blackburn has been making phone calls telling people he will likely run for governor in 2026.
Sources told the outlet that state and federal elected officials have made phone calls supporting the senator's candidacy for the position.
One Republican senator confirmed to The Hill on Tuesday that Blackburn is eyeing the position, calling it Tennessee's “worst-kept secret.”
Another person familiar with the situation said Mr. Blackburn has made multiple calls to Tennessee politicians about a possible run this weekend, likely keeping the Republican from making a formal decision to run. He added that this has the effect of trying to freeze candidates of their gender.
Current Governor Bill Lee (Republican) is term-limited and cannot be re-elected. The state is strongly Republican, so the winner of the Republican primary is likely to succeed Lee.
Axios' local Nashville office reported that Damon Hininger and Joe Baker are wealthy businessmen who have not yet run for public office, but may do so in the primary.
Other insiders told Axios that several other Tennessee lawmakers could pursue the office, including Rep. John Rhodes, Rep. Mark Green and state-level officials.
Blackburn was first elected to the Senate in 2018, becoming the state's first female senator. Prior to that, he served as a member of the House of Representatives since 2003. If Blackburn runs for governor and wins, she will become the state's first female governor.
She is an avid supporter of President-elect Trump, and has endorsed him for his recent election victory in November.
The Hill has reached out to Blackburn's office and campaign for comment.
Al Weaver contributed reporting.
