The upcoming Senate seat in Tennessee is poised to become open following Senator Marsha Blackburn’s announcement of her candidacy for governor. This news has sparked interest among Tennessee Republican Party officials, including Andy Ogles and Tim Burchette, both of whom expressed their eagerness to be involved in the race for Blackburn’s position.
Ogles responded with an enthusiastic “absolutely” when asked about his interest in pursuing a Senate seat. Burchett acknowledged that, while it might be a long journey, he is keeping an eye on the situation as well.
Blackburn recently secured her second term in the U.S. Senate and if she wins the governor’s race, it would leave her Senate seat vacant. At that point, according to Tennessee law, the governor would have the authority to appoint someone to fill the vacancy until the next scheduled election. So if Blackburn makes a move by 2026, her successor could potentially serve until 2031.
Both Ogles and Burchett have indicated they would be interested in running for the Senate seat in the 2030 election cycle, if they are appointed in the interim. However, it remains to be seen when Blackburn might choose to resign from the Senate, as state law does not specify a timeline for such a decision. Local reports suggest that should a vacancy arise before her resignation, Governor Bill Lee would make the appointment. Nonetheless, Lee could defer to Blackburn on the choice if the timing is right after he takes office.
In a recent campaign announcement, Blackburn expressed her love for Tennessee and her desire to provide conservative leadership, stating, “Trump is back, America is blessed and Tennessee is better than ever.” If successful, she would make history as Tennessee’s first female governor, setting the stage for a competitive GOP primary that includes her colleague, Rep. John Rose.
