U.S. Representative Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN-03) endorsed U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn’s (R-TN) bid for Tennessee Governor on Wednesday.
Fleischmann, who encouraged Blackburn to run for governor earlier this year, said his support for her in the gubernatorial race stems from Blackburn’s work at the state and federal levels serving Tennesseans.
He specifically pointed to Blackburn’s work as a state senator in the early 2000s when she led the effort to kill then-Governor Don Sundquist’s effort to impose a state income tax.
“Marsha Blackburn has been a hero for the people of Tennessee for a long time. When I was just a practicing attorney, I remember when Marsha Blackburn stood up in the State Senate and defeated and killed the state income tax,” Fleischmann said in a video distributed by Blackburn’s campaign.
Not only is @chuck4congress wholly dedicated to the people of Tennessee, he’s also a great friend.
Together, we will make Tennessee America's conservative leader! https://t.co/KFJUWKmkXg
— Marsha Blackburn (@VoteMarsha) September 3, 2025
Fleischmann called Blackburn a “great leader” during her time in the U.S. House and now a “champion” in the Senate before saying her “best ever” accomplishment would be serving as the first female governor of Tennessee.
“In the United States House, she was a great leader on the Energy and Commerce Committee. Now, she’s been our champion in the Senate, but best ever, she is going to be the first female governor of the great State of Tennessee,” Fleischmann said.
Appearing next to Fleischmann in the video, Blackburn said she was “honored” to have his support in her gubernatorial bid, calling the congressman a “principled conservative and a proven leader.”
“Congressman Fleischmann has never wavered in his commitment to standing up for Tennesseans and advancing the values we hold dear. I’m grateful to have him standing alongside me in this fight to be the 51st governor of Tennessee,” Blackburn added.
Fleischmann’s endorsement comes on the heels of Blackburn earning the support of U.S. Representative Tim Burchett (R-TN-02), Outkick founder Clay Travis, Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs, and many other state and local officials across Tennessee in her bid for governor.
Watch Fleischmann endorse Blackburn for governor:
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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 and Chuck Fleischmann” by Marsha Blackburn.
Marsha, I would be cautious being in the same room as this non-representative. This photo must have been done in DC because he is invisible and silent around here. Tim Burchett and MTG make more appearances around here than lil’ Chucky does. Chuck Fleischmann should be the poster child for term limits.