KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Republican nominee Marsha Blackburn is leading the race for Tennessee’s governor, raising questions about the future of her current U.S. Senate seat should she win the election on November 3. According to Dr. Andrew Busch, an expert at the University of Tennessee, Blackburn is likely to retain her Senate seat until she is officially sworn in as governor, after which she would have the authority to appoint a successor.
“State law indicates that the governor appoints a person to fill a Senate vacancy,” Busch explained. “Thus, Blackburn would presumably wait until she becomes governor to resign her Senate seat.” The appointed individual would serve until the next general election in November 2028, with the option to run for the seat in their own right.
If the appointee wins the subsequent election, they would serve the remainder of Blackburn’s term, which extends until 2030. “If the person who is appointed is elected, they would serve out the remainder of Marsha Blackburn’s term,” Busch noted.
Potential Successors to Blackburn
Several names are surfaced as potential candidates to fill Blackburn’s Senate seat. U.S. Representative Tim Burchett, former Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth are among those commonly mentioned. Busch acknowledged that while there are “a lot of folks out there who would love to be a U.S. Senator,” these three have attracted the most attention.
Burchett, who is also seeking reelection in November, could vacate his congressional seat if selected for the Senate position. Historically, Burchett’s district is regarded as a robust Republican stronghold, making it highly unlikely he could be unseated. “This seat has the longest streak of a single party holding a congressional seat in U.S. history,” Busch remarked.
If Burchett were to be appointed after winning reelection, this scenario would create a second vacancy in the House, necessitating a special election to fill the position. “There is no appointment of temporary members of the House,” Busch stated, emphasizing that a vacancy would lead to a rapid election process.
As for Hegseth, if appointed, his current role would be filled by President Donald Trump, pending Senate confirmation. Jacobs, not currently holding office, would not create any vacancies, allowing for a direct transition should he be selected.
With Election Day approaching, Blackburn is focusing on her campaign. Polls will close at 8 p.m. EDT on November 3, and the election’s aftermath may significantly reshape Tennessee’s political landscape.
