Senator Marsha Blackburn, a steadfast ally of President Donald J. Trump and one of the fiercest conservative voices in Washington, announced Wednesday that she is running to become the next governor of Tennessee. After more than six years in the U.S. Senate, Blackburn says the time has come to bring President Trump’s national agenda directly to the states.

“In his first six months, President Trump has made historic strides in Making America Great Again, but as he sends power back to the states, he’s going to need strong conservative governors who can bring that revolution home,” Blackburn said in a statement. “I’m running to serve as Tennessee’s next governor to ensure Tennessee is America’s conservative leader.”

Her announcement comes as Governor Bill Lee, a fellow Republican, prepares to leave office due to term limits. The GOP primary is scheduled for August 6, 2026.

Blackburn’s campaign immediately places her at the center of what could become one of the most watched gubernatorial contests in the country. Known for her unapologetic defense of constitutional principles, strong border policies, and conservative cultural values, Blackburn is aiming to carry Tennessee even further into the America First orbit.

Blackburn’s gubernatorial announcement comes fresh off a high-profile moment on Fox News, where she praised Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard for declassifying documents that exposed the deep state’s now-debunked “Russia collusion” narrative against President Trump.

Appearing on The Faulkner Focus, Blackburn laid out the troubling findings in detail.

“Thank goodness that DNI Gabbard released 100 documents so that people can see. Here’s the proof. This is what they were doing. They knew Hillary was creating this dossier,” Blackburn said. “So then they go in and Obama’s team is all informed. And then they start to create a diversion and they try to make it about Trump.”

The Senator was referencing the CIA’s briefing to President Obama regarding the Clinton campaign’s effort to tie Trump to Russia as a distraction from the now-infamous private email server scandal.

“The bureaucracy and the swamp has got to be drained,” Blackburn declared. “These people that are careers over at the FBI and the DOJ that have participated in this need to be shown the door. There are prosecutions that should take place.”

Blackburn made it clear this wasn't just about political gamesmanship—it was about restoring faith in the rule of law.

“This is weaponizing the federal government against a citizen, against a political opponent, because the American people are not doing what you want them to do,” she stated.

“We had some pretty good ideas it was going on, some pretty good anecdotal evidence it was happening. And now they have shown the receipts. Let the prosecutions begin.”

She called for a full investigation into the bureaucratic abuse of power and expressed hope that whistleblowers within the FBI would finally come forward.

“What we have learned is that James Comey literally wrote a book on corruption during his time leading the FBI,” she concluded.

With her name recognition, national profile, and unwavering support for President Trump, Marsha Blackburn enters the Tennessee gubernatorial race as a formidable candidate—and potentially a leading voice for the next generation of conservative state leadership.

Her campaign is expected to emphasize election integrity, border enforcement, pro-life policies, and the need to root out leftist indoctrination from schools—all while doubling down on the America First blueprint laid out by President Trump in his historic second term.