Tennessee U.S. Representative Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN-03) published an opinion piece in the Chattanooga Times Free Press endorsing U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) in the 2026 Tennessee gubernatorial race.
In the piece published Wednesday evening, Fleischmann said he “strongly encourages” Blackburn to launch a bid for Tennessee governor as he believes the incumbent senator embodies the “vision” and “leadership” needed to guide Tennessee “into the future.”
“President Trump’s second term is our opportunity to unleash American greatness and protect these values. We need a governor who will work to further his policies at the state level. Marsha’s proven record solidifies her as the best choice for governor in 2026,” Fleischmann wrote.
Fleischmann championed Blackburn’s decades-long record as a public servant in the Volunteer State, pointing back to when she advocated against the institution of a state income tax in Tennessee over 20 years ago to current issues at the federal level she is focused on, including keeping men out of women’s sports and spaces.
“Tennessee values matter and are worth fighting for. Marsha has long stood by her commitment to defend these principles of faith, family, freedom, hope and opportunity,” Fleischmann said.
Last month, Blackburn publicly confirmed to Fox News she was “strongly considering” launching a bid for Tennessee governor in 2026.
Days later, during an appearance on “The John Fredericks Show,” Blackburn explained that her interest in launching a gubernatorial campaign stems from the promises made by President Donald Trump to return power from the federal government back to individual states.
“[Trump] is sending power back to the states; we know education, healthcare, public safety, many of these issues are going to be coming back to the states,” Blackburn said at the time.
“It is going to be up to the states, with strong governors and strong legislatures, to grab this power and to put this power in place for the people, and to help conservatives, and to help everyone realize a smaller government, a decentralized government, power in your hands, not the hands of the elite, is the best way to deliver services for the American people,” Blackburn added.
If Blackburn were to launch a gubernatorial bid, polling released last month showed that she would be the overwhelming early favorite as the Republican Party’s nomination for governor next year.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
Photo “Rep. Chuck Fleishmann” by Rep. Chuck Fleishmann and “Sen Marsha Blackburn” is by Gage Skidmore CC2.0.
