Conservative firebrand who went viral with anti-CCP ad survives key primary
U.S.Senator Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., cruised to victory in a GOP primary on Thursday evening in a race to replace outgoing Tennessee Gov.
Bill Lee.With the nomination in tow, Blackburn is likely to become the next governor in the Volunteer State — a state that hasn’t elected a Democrat to its top executive role since 2006. Lee, who has served in the role since 2019, is term-limited and cannot seek re-election.He last won reelection in a 64.9% to 32.9% victory over Democratic challenger Jason Martin, a businessman and doctor.DEMS RALLY AROUND BEST HOPE TO DEFEND GOVERNOR'S MANSION FROM GOP TAKEOVERRepublican Sen.
Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee is running for governor in the 2026 race to succeed term-limited GOP Gov.Bill Lee.
(Joe Raedle/Getty Images)Notably, Lee did not endorse anyone in the three-way Republican race for the 2026 nomination but noted that he had a close relationship with Blackburn when she announced her candidacy."I’ve been friends with Marsha for a long time, and she served as my congressman and representative in the General Assembly.I’m proud we have really good people running for governor in this state," Lee told local outlets.Blackburn, for her own part, promised to continue focusing on issues that Republicans have made centerpieces to the GOP platform in Washington, D.C.She highlighted immigration as one such issue."As governor, I’ll deport illegals, stop the flow of drugs and drug money.
We will crack down on Cartels, restrict cash transfers to drug havens and hit criminals and illegals where it hurts — in their wallets," Blackburn said in a campaign video.Blackburn also promised to prevent China from buying up Tennessee land, punctuating her commitment with a viral ad where she crushed a fortune cookie."It doesn’t take a fortune cookie to figure it out.Here in Tennessee we’re going to stop communist China and protect Tennessee land," she remarked.President Donald Trump also did not issue an endorsement in the race, sayin...