‘It’s pretty rare’ | Unique TN governor’s race could carry major implications for Capitol Hill
Political science professors outline scenarios for Tennessee’s U.S. Senate seat depending on the governor’s race result
What This Story Is About
- U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn is running for Tennessee governor with two years left on her term, a move that could trigger a vacancy in the U.S. Senate if she wins.
Why It Matters
- A Blackburn victory would let Tennessee’s governor appoint her Senate replacement, which could set off another special election if Rep. Tim Burchett were chosen.
What Happens Next
- Voters head to the polls on Nov. 3. If Blackburn wins, she would either resign early or upon taking office, allowing current Gov. Bill Lee or Blackburn herself to make the appointment.
For Context
- Four candidates are on the ballot: Republican Blackburn, Democrat Jerri Green, and Independents David Hatley and Lauren Pinkston.
Catch Up
- Burchett has expressed interest in the Senate seat, drawing criticism from his House opponent Michaela Barnett, who accused him of prioritizing political advancement over East Tennesseans.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - A sitting U.S. senator with about two years left on her term is running for governor in Tennessee, and the result of the race could determine whether her Senate seat becomes vacant.
Sen. Marsha Blackburn is running to be the next governor. Rep. Tim Burchett, who is running for re-election to Congress, has an interest in a Senate run.
Four candidates are running for governor:
- Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn
- Democrat and Memphis City Councilwoman Jerri Green
- Independent David Hatley of Carter County in Upper East Tennessee
- Independent Lauren Pinkston, a Tennessean from east of Memphis
If Blackburn wins the governor’s seat, she would have to wait to vacate her Senate seat until she is sworn in as governor. If she loses, she returns to Capitol Hill.
Mark O’Gorman, a political science professor at Maryville College, laid out several scenarios for the race. He said a sitting senator running for governor is uncommon.
“It is pretty unique, not like impossibly uncommon. We’re not dealing with like Powerball with very low odds, but it’s pretty rare,” O’Gorman said.
If Blackburn wins, the governor picks who fills the Senate seat. It is not clear whether that governor would be current Gov. Bill Lee or Blackburn herself.
O’Gorman described a hypothetical in which Blackburn wins and resigns from the Senate on Nov. 10. He said that under Tennessee law, “whoever is the governor at the moment of the vacancy can now fill the appointment.”
If Blackburn were to appoint Burchett and he wins re-election to his House seat, that would open up another election, according to Dr. Andy Busch, a University of Tennessee political science professor.
“It would be a reason not to pick Burchett because of the fact that it would trigger a vacancy election,” Busch said.
Busch added the election could take months, potentially leaving that seat vacant on Capitol Hill.
If Blackburn loses and Green or an independent candidate wins, Blackburn returns to Capitol Hill.
O’Gorman said that under those circumstances, “she would still remain U.S. Senator through to the 2028 election.”
Democrat Michaela Barnett, Burchett’s opponent in the House race, sent a statement responding to his interest in running for Senate. She said Burchett is focused on furthering his political career, while she is focused on serving East Tennesseans now.
Election Day is Nov. 3.
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