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Tim Burchett interested in appointment to Marsha Blackburn’s Senate seat

By Ross O'Keefe and David Sivak August 6, 2025 | updated 5 days ago

Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) is interested in being chosen for Sen. Marsha Blackburn’s (R-TN) Senate seat if she vacates it.

Blackburn announced she is running for Tennessee governor in 2026 on Wednesday, and will need to vacate her seat if she wins. She won re-election last November.

Burchett, a former Knox County mayor who was recently elected to his fourth term in Congress last year, is known for his friendly and comedic demeanor in the House. In videos posted to social media that updated his constituents on legislation, he greeted political figures like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and his Republican colleagues alike as he walked down the Capitol steps.

He considered running for governor as well, but Blackburn would likely overshadow him if he chose to do so. If Blackburn is elected as governor to succeed Gov. Bill Lee (R-TN), she would have to appoint a successor to her seat before a special election is held. She could choose Burchett.

In an interview with the Washington Examiner, Burchett said he would be interested in the Senate seat.

“My focus is on the second congressional district as a congressman, and nothing takes me away from that,” he said. “I spend a lot of time going to meetings in my district. So yeah, I mean, that’s my focus, of course. But if I were given that opportunity, I would take it.”

He added that it’s “very premature” to say he’s asking to be appointed to the seat, given Blackburn will still have to win the primary and general election. He wouldn’t say whether he’d run in 2030 for Senate.

“It’s very premature, but if I was asked, I would sure like that opportunity,” Burchett concluded.

Burchett thanked supporters on social media for noting he would be a good choice to take over Blackburn’s seat.

Blackburn announced her run for governor earlier Wednesday. “It’s official! I’m running for Governor to ensure Tennessee is America’s conservative leader for this generation and the next,” she wrote on social media.

MARSHA BLACKBURN ANNOUNCES RUN FOR TENNESSEE GOVERNOR

Burchett made recent headlines with his hospitalization due to a horse kicking him in the chest, and his plea to House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) to invite George Soros to testify on Russiagate.

Tennessee’s other senator, Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-TN), is also running for re-election in 2026.

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Ross O'Keefe and David Sivak

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