Marsha Blackburn wins Tennessee GOP Senate primary

Sen. Marsha Blackburn emerged victorious in Tennessee’s Republican Senate primary on Thursday, dominating the race and likely securing the senate seat in the heavily-Republican state. Blackburn claimed almost 93% of the vote over her challenger, Tres Wittum, prompting the Associated Press to call the race in her favor.

As the incumbent senator, Blackburn was already a favorite heading into the primary, having previously won her Senate seat in 2018 by defeating former Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen by 11 points.

Blackburn’s sole opponent in the primary was Wittum, a former Tennessee legislative staffer who had previously finished last in a primary bid for the state’s 5th Congressional District in 2022.

With her victory in the primary, Blackburn will advance to face off against Democratic state Sen. Gloria Johnson in the upcoming general election.

Johnson gained recognition last year when she, along with two other members of the Tennessee legislature, staged a protest on the state House floor following a shooting at an elementary school. The trio, known as the “Tennessee Three,” included Johnson and two fellow Democrats, Justin Pearson, and Justin Jones.

Despite violating House rules with their protest, Pearson and Jones were expelled from the legislature but later reappointed and successfully won special elections to regain their seats.

Looking ahead to the general election in November, Blackburn is expected to maintain her status as the favorite, considering Tennessee’s significant Republican lean in recent statewide elections.

Blackburn’s Tennessee colleague, Republican Sen. Bill Hagerty, secured reelection in 2020 with a margin of about 30 points, while Republican Gov. Bill Lee was reelected in 2022 by over 30 points as well.

In addition, former President Donald Trump easily carried the state in both the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections, winning Tennessee by 26 and 23 points, respectively.

With a track record of Republican dominance in statewide elections, Blackburn is in a strong position as she gears up for the general election showdown with Democratic challenger Gloria Johnson.