Republican gubernatorial nominee U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) said she is the only conservative choice in Tennessee’s November 3 gubernatorial election, warning that voters who support her opponents would back higher taxes, fewer freedoms, and the end of key Republican-backed policies.
In an exclusive interview Wednesday with The Tennessee Star’s CEO and Editor-in-Chief Michael Patrick Leahy, Blackburn said voters are beginning to focus on the election as Election Day approaches.
“People in Tennessee are looking at the four candidates that are on this. There’s one Republican, one Democrat, and two Democrats that are running as independents, and I’m the only conservative Republican on that ticket,” Blackburn said during Wednesday’s edition of The Michael Patrick Leahy Show.
Blackburn argued voters supporting any of her three opponents would be back policies that conflict with conservative priorities.
“I am out here trying to get people to go vote, and to realize that if they’re voting for anybody other than me, they are voting for somebody that’s going to raise their taxes, restrict their freedoms, end the 287(g) programs, end the Memphis Safe Task Force, and end school choice and parental choice in education,” she said.
Blackburn described her Democratic opponent, Memphis City Councilwoman Jerri Green, as someone who fully supports the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) agenda, adding, “that is not what Tennesseans want.”
“There is one conservative, and that is me,” Blackburn said.
The senator specifically criticized her opponents’ positions on education and public safety, saying their policy proposals are out of step with Tennessee voters.
“It’s so important that people realize regardless of what [my opponents] say they are, the positions that they have and the decisions they would make are decidedly left, and they are not in line with what Tennesseans want,” Blackburn said.
“Tennesseans want somebody who’s going to fight to protect their kids and their religious liberty and protect their freedoms. They want somebody who’s going to fight to keep their taxes low, and I have a great record of doing those things, and Tennesseans know they can depend on me to deliver,” she added.
Blackburn said Republican enthusiasm has increased in recent days as voters consider the candidates’ records.
“It has really picked up over the last few days, and people are beginning to realize what my opponents are for, and they’re listening to some of the things they’ve done and everybody’s got a record,” she said.
“Hatley’s got a record. Jerri Green’s got a far left record there in Memphis. I’ve got a record. I’m proud to stand on my record of delivering for Tennesseans,” she added.
Early voting runs through Thursday, with Election Day on November 3.
Tune in now to The Michael Patrick Leahy Show – your AMERICA FIRST news talk!
– Watch LIVE here on X
– Listen on Spotify
– Listen on WENO AM760 in Nashville
– Read more at @TheTNStarhttps://t.co/sRVsGFIrnY— Michael Patrick Leahy (@michaelpleahy) October 28, 2026
– – –
Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
Photo “Marsha Blackburn” by Marsha Blackburn.
