Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., attends Ag Day on the Hill, Tuesday, March 18, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) has announced her bid for Tennessee’s gubernatorial race in 2026.

Blackburn, who was elected to her second term in the U.S. Senate last November, would be the state’s first female governor if she wins the primary election next August. Her only declared opponent is U.S. Rep. John Rose (R-TN); Gov. Bill Lee (R) is term limited. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is also rumored to be a potential candidate in the race.

The senator is one of the most conservative lawmakers in the Senate; she opposes same-sex marriage, abortion access and efforts to combat climate change. The 73-year-old lawmaker has also called the Griswold v. Connecticut Supreme Court decision, which upholds the right for married couples to buy contraception, “constitutionally unsound.” Blackburn is also a staunch loyalist of President Donald Trump, and she made him a focus of her announcement video that was released on Wednesday.

Blackburn also supports the removal of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in Tennessee universities. During an interview with Breitbart News Daily, Blackburn said that three universities in the state will subject to outside audits to ensure the removal of DEI programs because some employees still support them.