Senator Marsha Blackburn has secured the Republican nomination for governor of Tennessee, defeating Representative John Rose in a race where Donald Trump declined to issue an endorsement.

Senator Marsha Blackburn has won the Republican nomination for governor of Tennessee, according to NBC News projections. She defeated Representative John Rose in a contest where former President Donald Trump remained neutral. Blackburn, who currently represents Tennessee in the Senate, is now set to face Democratic nominee Jerri Green, a member of the Memphis City Council, in the general election.

Primary Campaign Dynamics

Although Donald Trump did not formally endorse in the race, both Blackburn and Rose sought to align themselves with him. The Tennessee Freedom Fund, an outside group supporting Blackburn, aired advertisements featuring positive comments Trump had previously made about her. Conversely, reports indicated that Trump told members of Tennessee’s congressional delegation he would not endorse Blackburn due to his relationship with Rose, who served as a state agriculture commissioner before his time in the House.

Candidate Backgrounds and General Election

Blackburn, 74, has served in the Senate since 2018 and previously served in the House of Representatives starting in 2003. If elected governor, she would be the first woman to hold the office in Tennessee. She is running to succeed term-limited Republican Governor Bill Lee in a state considered a Republican stronghold. Her opponent, Representative John Rose, self-funded his campaign with nearly $13 million.