Blackburn, Marsha

Marsha Blackburn is the senior U.S. Senator from Tennessee, having first been elected to the chamber in 2018. Before her Senate tenure, she served in the Tennessee State Senate and represented the state's 7th congressional district in the House of Representatives for sixteen years. A former small business owner and marketing professional, she rose to prominence for her efforts to block a state income tax in Tennessee and has since become a leading conservative voice in federal politics. She made history as the first woman elected to the U.S. Senate from her state.

In the Senate, Blackburn holds several influential committee assignments, including positions on the Finance, Judiciary, and Veterans' Affairs committees. She chairs subcommittees focused on Consumer Protection, Technology, and Data Privacy, as well as Privacy, Technology, and the Law. Her legislative work frequently centers on telecommunications, intellectual property, and manufacturing competitiveness. She is also a member of the Joint Economic Committee, where she addresses national fiscal and economic issues.

Blackburn is known for her staunchly conservative voting record and her alignment with the Tea Party movement. Her legislative priorities include opposing the Affordable Care Act, advocating for stricter criminal penalties for assaults on federal officers, and sponsoring measures related to family planning funding and federal mission benefits. Following the retirement of her colleagues, she became the dean of Tennessee's congressional delegation and has announced her intention to seek the governorship of Tennessee in 2026.