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Article by Sarah Grace Taylor [The Nashville Banner, Creative Commons] –
One of the most interesting races in Tennessee this year was never on the ballot, but is now in the hands of Governor-elect Marsha Blackburn, who will appoint her own replacement to the U.S. Senate.
While a seat as a freshman Republican in the Senate likely lost some of its appeal this week as a Democrat wave flipped both chambers of Congress, several Tennessee Republican figures are still apparently vying for Blackburn’s seat.
Blackburn’s current Senate term doesn’t end until 2031, and whoever is appointed will serve through 2028, before voters pick a senator during the next regular election. Though it’s only a third of a term, whoever Blackburn appoints would have a leg up as the incumbent in the 2028 election.
The shortcut to the Senate has drawn suitors and scuttlebutt since Blackburn entered the governor’s race, with the bids becoming more overt around the general election.
While Blackburn hasn’t addressed any rumored replacements, sources close to Blackburn confirmed to the Banner Friday the final short list of possible replacements to shut down speculation about others.
Here are Blackburn’s potential replacements, in no particular order.
Glenn Jacobs
Jacobs, the former professional wrestler and mayor of Knox County, initially said he was planning to run for governor but quickly endorsed Blackburn when rumors began to circulate that she would run, even before she announced her campaign.
When Blackburn did enter the race, Jacobs became her treasurer and traveled frequently with her campaign, fueling speculation that she may appoint him. Notably, his time as county mayor ended just weeks after she won the Republican primary, and he hasn’t shared his future plans.
In October, Jacobs said on a Fox News podcast that it would be a “huge honor” and that he would “seriously consider” accepting the appointment if Blackburn chose him.
During the week before the election, Jacobs’ name was also listed on the “American Dream” bus, a campaign bus used to promote Blackburn and other Republican candidates in Tennessee, which the Blackburn campaign said was funded by Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton.
Jacobs was the only person listed on the bus who was not actively holding and/or seeking elected office, yet “Jacobs for Tennessee” appeared among congressional candidate logos with Glenn “Kane” Jacobs signed below.
A spokesperson for Sexton did not respond when asked why Jacobs was included.
On Election Day, Jacobs was the only rumored Senate pick who joined Blackburn on the stage for her acceptance speech.
Tim Burchett
Congressman Tim Burchett, an East Tennessee Republican known for his “dagum” folksy speeches, is also an ally of Blackburn’s and a frequently rumored potential successor in the Senate.
Like others on this list, Burchett campaigned frequently for Blackburn this year and shared the stage with her during her primary election party in Knoxville.
Unlike the others, Burchett has also admitted to openly vying for Blackburn’s seat.
At the end of October, Burchett told Punchbowl News that he was vying for the seat and would run at the end of the term if he didn’t get it.
Burchett was at Blackburn’s election watch party and was photographed with her inner circle in a suite after the more public-facing event.
The pair also served in the state legislature together in the 1990s and early 2000s.
Chuck Fleischmann
Soon to be the senior member of Tennessee’s congressional delegation, Chuck Fleischmann is also apparently under consideration, though he has been less outspoken and had fewer public appearances with Blackburn throughout the campaign.
In October, Fleischmann confirmed he would be interested in the appointment, but said he had not spoken to Blackburn about it nor was he planning to campaign in 2028. After Blackburn’s win, Fleischmann told reporters that he would run in 2028 if appointed.
Fleischmann is an attorney by trade who has represented District 3, including Hamilton County, since 2011.
Stuart McWhorter
Tennessee Deputy Gov. Stuart McWhorter, whom Blackburn named chair of her transition committee, is also reportedly on the short list.
McWhorter, who also serves as Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, has been involved in Gov. Bill Lee’s administration for both terms.
While McWhorter is a less public figure than the elected officials on the list, he is deeply embedded in Tennessee Republican politics and is reportedly under consideration by Blackburn.
Out of contention
A couple of other names are floating around with less concrete ties to Blackburn’s campaign, including Gov. Lee, who didn’t outright deny interest in the appointment but told reporters in October that he had “no intention of running for Senate.”
Former CoreCivic CEO Damon Hininger, also once rumored to be considering a run for governor, has tried to position himself to get the appointment, including by attending Blackburn’s first press conference after the election on Wednesday, which fueled some media speculation.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who faces potential impeachment from his cabinet position and has a home in Sumner County, was also rumored to be an option and was reportedly being pushed by President Donald Trump, a close ally of Blackburn, before the election. While Hegseth recently attended a UT football game, fueling the rumors, a source close to Blackburn repeatedly denied that there was any meeting or discussion of the appointment, and told the Banner and other reporters this week that “D.C. won’t pick the next senator.”
According to the sources, none of these three are being considered.
