Blackburn's Move Triggers Senate Succession Race
Tennessee Republicans are already positioning themselves to fill the U.S. Senate seat Marsha Blackburn will vacate upon her inauguration as governor on Jan. 16.
By Michael Bennett ·
Republican Marsha Blackburn is set to resign her U.S. Senate seat moments before her inauguration as Tennessee governor on Jan. 16, 2026. This timing will leave the state with a vacancy until the next general election on Nov. 7, 2028. The seat will be filled by appointment under current state law, creating an immediate political contest among potential candidates.
Blackburn won a second Senate term in 2024 but will leave four years on the ballot by moving to the governorship. She secured the gubernatorial nomination with 45.5 percent of the vote. The governor holds the power to select a successor who will serve alongside U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty until voters choose a permanent replacement.
State Rep. Scott Cepicky, a Republican from Culleoka, offered an early assessment of the field at Blackburn’s victory party on Tuesday. Cepicky suggested that the search would likely focus on Congressman Tim Burchett or Knoxville Mayor Glenn Jacobs. He noted that if Burchett were to move to the Senate, his House seat would open for a full election rather than an appointment.
Glenn Jacobs, a former professional wrestler known as Kane, served as campaign treasurer for Blackburn’s gubernatorial run. He stood with Blackburn on election night and has maintained a close relationship with the incoming governor. His national media profile and decades of public visibility have positioned him as a candidate comfortable with the high exposure of Washington politics.
Tim Burchett represents a district that includes Knoxville and its suburbs. He recently won reelection with ease and has increased his activity on social media platforms. Moving to the Senate would add East Tennessee representation to the state’s delegation, though Democrats view his open House seat as a viable target for a special election given their current momentum.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is another name mentioned in succession discussions. He resides in Goodlettsville and transitioned from media commentary to the role of secretary of war. However, his political brand remains closely linked to President Trump and the recent military strikes in Iran. These factors have weakened his candidacy in the face of midterm backlash against the administration.
Damon Hininger, CEO of CoreCivic, has also been considered for the role. He bankrolls major Republican campaigns and previously expressed interest in the governorship. Critics argue that appointing a major donor from the private prison industry would be poor optics during a period of public scrutiny over patronage. Blackburn was asked directly if she would appoint Hininger at her first post-election press conference on Wednesday.
Blackburn declined to answer the question about Hininger. She stated that she would have conversations about the Senate at a later date and that it was not a topic for that day.
