Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., has been telling people she is likely to run for governor of the Volunteer State in 2026, sources in D.C. and Tennessee told Axios.
If elected, Blackburn would be the first female governor in the state's history.
Axios said state and federal elected officials have been making calls in support of her possible candidacy in recent days. Incumbent Republican Gov. Bill Lee is term limited. Blackburn was elected to the Senate in 2018.
Damon Hininger and Joe Baker, both wealthy businessmen, are expected to run for governor, Axios said. Hininger is the CEO of a private prison company, while Baker is an attorney who runs his own brewery.
Other possible Republican candidates include Rep. John Rose, Rep. Mark Green, Knox County Mayor and WWE Hall of Famer Glenn Jacobs, state House Speaker Cameron Sexton, and Secretary of State Tre Hargett, Axios said.
In deep-red Tennessee, Democrats face an uphill battle to win back the governor's mansion but Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., could be a contender if he retires from Congress, Axios said.
Other Democrat candidates include state Sen. Raumesh Akbari, Sen. London Lamar, and state Rep. Justin Pearson.
Tennessee has not elected a Democrat governor since 2006.
Blackburn's campaign did not respond to a request for comment from Axios.
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