Govenor

Marsha Blackburn

M. Blackburn

Republican

Winner

Tell us about your campaign.

President Trump is doing what he said he would: draining the swamp and, each day, he is sending more authority and power back to the states. Now, more than ever, we need a strong conservative leader who can lead a team and build a vision, and that leader is me. Tennessee is a well-led, well-governed state. Our economy is growing, and people want to move here because we stay true to our conservative values. Simply put, I am running for governor to make Tennessee America’s conservative leader and put Tennessee first. As a mom and a grandmother, I want our state to be a place where our kids and grandkids can have good jobs. I want them to be able to dream those big dreams and to know for certain that in Tennessee those dreams can come true. We need a leader who will make that possible. As governor, I will make sure that more money stays in your pocket. That is what I did when I led the fight against the state income tax and what I will continue to do. No one should ever have to fear getting taxed out of their house or off their farm. One of the first things that I will do as governor is kickstart Tennessee’s very own version of DOGE, and working with the state legislators, I am ready to take a big red marker to the budget to stop wasteful spending. Additionally, Tennessee should be #1 when it comes to safety. We must stand behind our law enforcement and send the gangs and cartels a message that we are tough on criminal activity. There is no such thing as a sanctuary city in Tennessee, and illegal aliens should know that if they are in the state, we will apprehend them, detain them, and then we will deport them. In Tennessee, we will always protect our children in both the virtual and physical space. If someone molests and rapes our babies, they should receive the death penalty. And, when violent criminals are given the death penalty and have exhausted all appeals, then it’s time to flip the switch and give victims’ families closure. Parents, not the government, know best. That is why, as governor, I am committed to expanding Education Freedom Scholarships so that no parent has to win the lottery to give their child the world-class education that fits their unique needs. We must keep Communist China out of Tennessee. China cannot buy our land. China cannot buy our businesses. We need to say no to Chinese “sister cities,” no to Chinese surveillance, and no to theft of our intellectual property. As governor, I will make certain that Tennessee always stays true to our values. We will not allow boys in girls’ sports. We will always stand up for the right to life. We will fight for freedom. We will protect our families. Tennessee is a conservative state, and together we can make it America’s conservative leader. -- President Donald J. Trump

In your own words, describe the responsibilities of the office you are seeking.

Tennessee’s governor is responsible for leading the state to live up to its potential. With President Trump returning power to the states, the role of a governor is more important than ever. The governor must create the vision of the state’s future and work hand in glove with the state legislators and local leaders to make it a reality. That is why Tennessee needs a leader, not a manager. In this period of growth for Tennessee, the governor owes it to Tennesseans to accelerate our progress, not simply steward it. As our leader, one of the most important things that the governor does each year is proposing the state budget. This is a responsibility that should not be taken lightly. It is up to the governor to look for ways to save so that Tennesseans can keep more of their hard-earned paychecks. We’re already well-led, but as President Donald Trump sends power and authority back to the states, we have an opportunity for a conservative reset - just like we did when I led that fight to defeat that state income tax. Tennessee’s next governor will determine whether or not our state stays on the great path that it is on. It is important that we choose wisely.

What are your priorities for this office?

As governor, I will fight everyday to build a Tennessee that is affordable and allows every possible opportunity for the next generation. The first thing that I will do is, working with our state legislators, take a big red marker to our budget and skinny up our spending. This will give us more room to invest in the things that matter. To keep our economy growing, I will cut regulations and keep taxes low. I’ll work to ensure our infrastructure keeps up with growth and increases access to healthcare in rural communities. We’ll make Tennessee America’s number one, job-creating, energy-producing powerhouse. As a mother and a grandmother, I want to make certain that we keep our kids safe and will always fight to give every child the education they deserve. We’ll deliver a world-class education for our children by empowering parents, not the deep state. Parents won’t have to win the lottery to choose what education best fits their child’s unique needs, by expanding programs like Education Freedom Scholarships. Another top priority of mine is to keep our communities safe. I will work with local law enforcement to best support their efforts and will continue to lead projects like the successful Memphis Safe Task Force and stand strong against illegal immigration, supporting deportations. I will always put Tennessee families first and will uphold our strong conservative values.

Describe your qualifications for this office.

Our state is at a pivotal moment, as President Trump sends power back to the states, we must harness that and lead our state through a conservative reset. I led the fight against the state income tax, even standing up against some in my own party. That positioned our state for a conservative reset, and now it’s time for another. Throughout my public service, I have remained committed to fiscal common sense, fought Planned Parenthood to stop the sale of baby body parts, and made sure that Fort Campbell, our military servicemembers, and veterans receive the support they deserve. As your governor, I will continue working alongside President Trump each day to put America first, hold big tech accountable, keep men out of girls’ sports, protect our land from Communist China, and crack down on illegal immigration. As a mother and a grandmother, I care deeply about improving our state for future generations. That made me a fighter who will never back down when it comes to protecting our children or creating a better future for them.