Tennessee Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge) endorsed U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn’s (R-TN) gubernatorial campaign on Monday.
“I’ve known Marsha Blackburn for over thirty years, and she has always been a proud, rock-solid conservative,” McNally said in a statement released by Blackburn’s campaign.
As we work every day to make our state America’s conservative leader, I’m honored to have @ltgovmcnally on Team Marsha! pic.twitter.com/maFvn73GHG
— Marsha Blackburn (@VoteMarsha) February 2, 2026
McNally, who served alongside Blackburn in the Tennessee State Senate in the early 2000s, noted that the Volunteer State “has remained income tax-free as a direct result of her leadership,” pointing to her work at the time leading the charge against a proposed state income tax by then-Governor Don Sundquist.
“With experience at both the state and federal levels, she’s exactly the leader Tennessee needs at this moment. I’m proud to support her and look forward to her continued service to our state as governor,” McNally added.
Blackburn thanked McNally (pictured above, left) for his support.
“As we work every day to make our state America’s conservative leader, I’m honored to have Lieutenant Governor McNally on Team Marsha! I’m grateful to have his support as we work together to keep Tennessee strong, free, and prosperous,” Blackburn said.
McNally joins a growing list of Republican leaders at the state level to back Blackburn’s campaign, including Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin), House Republican Caucus Chairman Jeremy Faison (R-Cosby), House Deputy Speaker Jason Zachary (R-Knoxville), House Majority Whip. Johnny Garrett (R-Goodlettsville), and others.
Blackburn’s bid for governor has also been endorsed by the likes of Turning Point Action, the conservative Club for Growth PAC, and other Republican leaders across the Volunteer State, including U.S. Representatives Tim Burchett (R-TN-02) and Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN-03), Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs, who serves as Blackburn’s campaign treasurer, and others.
Last week, President Donald Trump lauded Blackburn during an event as an “incredible” ally and “very special” leader, saying Tennessee is “lucky” to have her as she runs for governor.
A poll released by the Beacon Center of Tennessee on Monday showed Blackburn with a commanding lead in the 2026 gubernatorial Republican primary, polling at 56 percent among GOP primary voters – 47 percentage points ahead of her closest competitor, U.S. Representative John Rose (R-TN-06).
Further, fundraising reports on Tuesday showed Blackburn’s campaign raised more than $5.5 million in just five months since its launch in August 2025, a fundraising pace it said set a record for contributions received by a gubernatorial campaign in any reporting period.
Rose’s campaign reported a total fundraising haul of $6.4 million from the time the congressman launched his gubernatorial bid in March 2025.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
Photo “Marsha Blackburn” by Marsha Blackburn.
