Rep. Tim Burchett Announces Bid for Marsha Blackburn’s Tennessee Senate Seat | JP
Republican Rep. Tim Burchett is officially throwing his hat into the ring to fill the open U.S. Senate seat left by Marsha Blackburn.
Last week, Blackburn was elected as the next Governor of Tennessee, which means her Senate seat will be vacant come January.
Soon, a special election will be held to select her replacement, and Rep. Burchett has been floated as the top contender.
During an appearance on Fox News, Burchett confirmed he will be running in the election and laid out the case for his candidacy.
Watch what he had to say here:
Tim Burchett just announced he WILL RUN for U.S. Senate in Tennessee, offers to serve in Marsha Blackburn’s seat if she appoints him.
“It’s totally up to her. I’ve prayed about it. I’d absolutely take on that role. And if not, I would absolutely run for it in two years.”
There’s no one more down to earth and honest with the American people in Congress than @TimBurchett.
This would be a solid move.
Rep. Tim Burchett is among the contenders named on the shortlist of possible replacements for Blackburn.
The Nashville Banner has more on the potential candidates to replace Blackburn:
Here are Blackburn’s potential replacements, in no particular order.
Glenn Jacobs
Jacobs, the former professional wrestler and mayor of Knox County, initially said he was planning to run for governor but quickly endorsed Blackburn when rumors began to circulate that she would run, even before she announced her campaign.
When Blackburn did enter the race, Jacobs became her treasurer and traveled frequently with her campaign, fueling speculation that she may appoint him. Notably, his time as county mayor ended just weeks after she won the Republican primary, and he hasn’t shared his future plans.
In October, Jacobs said on a Fox News podcast that it would be a “huge honor” and that he would “seriously consider” accepting the appointment if Blackburn chose him.
During the week before the election, Jacobs’ name was also listed on the “American Dream” bus, a campaign bus used to promote Blackburn and other Republican candidates in Tennessee, which the Blackburn campaign said was funded by Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton.
Jacobs was the only person listed on the bus who was not actively holding and/or seeking elected office, yet “Jacobs for Tennessee” appeared among congressional candidate logos with Glenn “Kane” Jacobs signed below.
A spokesperson for Sexton did not respond when asked why Jacobs was included.
On Election Day, Jacobs was the only rumored Senate pick who joined Blackburn on the stage for her acceptance speech.
Tim Burchett
Congressman Tim Burchett, an East Tennessee Republican known for his “dagum” folksy speeches, is also an ally of Blackburn’s and a frequently rumored potential successor in the Senate.
Like others on this list, Burchett campaigned frequently for Blackburn this year and shared the stage with her during her primary election party in Knoxville.
Unlike the others, Burchett has also admitted to openly vying for Blackburn’s seat.
At the end of October, Burchett told Punchbowl News that he was vying for the seat and would run at the end of the term if he didn’t get it.
ADVERTISEMENT
Burchett was at Blackburn’s election watch party and was photographed with her inner circle in a suite after the more public-facing event.
The pair also served in the state legislature together in the 1990s and early 2000s.
Chuck Fleischmann
Soon to be the senior member of Tennessee’s congressional delegation, Chuck Fleischmann is also apparently under consideration, though he has been less outspoken and had fewer public appearances with Blackburn throughout the campaign.
In October, Fleischmann confirmed he would be interested in the appointment, but said he had not spoken to Blackburn about it nor was he planning to campaign in 2028. After Blackburn’s win, Fleischmann told reporters that he would run in 2028 if appointed.
Fleischmann is an attorney by trade who has represented District 3, including Hamilton County, since 2011.
Stuart McWhorter
Tennessee Deputy Gov. Stuart McWhorter, whom Blackburn named chair of her transition committee, is also reportedly on the short list.
McWhorter, who also serves as Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, has been involved in Gov. Bill Lee’s administration for both terms.
While McWhorter is a less public figure than the elected officials on the list, he is deeply embedded in Tennessee Republican politics and is reportedly under consideration by Blackburn.
Many Tennesseans have expressed support for Rep. Burchett, noting that he stays in touch with the biggest issues Americans face — like affordability.
This clip perfectly sums up what he’s all about:
🚨 BREAKING: Endorsements are FLOODING IN for Tim Burchett being named the next US Senator from the great state of Tennessee, after he threw his hat into the ring
It’s ALL up to Governor-elect Marsha Blackburn 🙏🏻
If not, Burchett’s running for the seat in 2028 🔥
Here’s our… pic.twitter.com/kE0E1bFcVS
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) November 8, 2026
BREAKING: Endorsements are FLOODING IN for Tim Burchett being named the next US Senator from the great state of Tennessee, after he threw his hat into the ring
It’s ALL up to Governor-elect Marsha Blackburn 🙏🏻
If not, Burchett’s running for the seat in 2028 🔥
Here’s our guy pushing to SLASH fuel prices on the House floor recently, because he wants to go all-in on affordability for Americans!
Easily becomes a top 5 senator instantly.
@MarshaBlackburn, THIS WOULD BE AN INCREDIBLE MOVE.
The Daily Caller reported further on Rep. Burchett’s background:
Burchett first assumed office in the U.S. House of Representatives in January 2019. He won reelection to a fourth term serving Tennessee’s 2nd Congressional Districtduring in Tuesday’s election by a 16-point margin. President Donald Trump won the district by roughly 33.9 percentage points in the 2024 presidential election.
Burchett chairs the Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency (DOGE), which is part of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
The Tennessee Republican has notably taken a stand against automated license plate readers. He introduced the “Protection Against Mass Surveillance Act” in July, which would ban federal agencies from using automated surveillance. If passed, no agency would be permitted to “purchase, deploy, operate, access, or contract any automated surveillance system.”
Burchett was among 19 Republicans to vote against temporarily extending Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), which allows the government to collect and search American citizens’ data without a warrant if they were in contact with targeted noncitizens.
What do you think?
Would you support Tim Burchett as Tennessee’s next senator?