Governor-elect Marsha Blackburn announced Tuesday that she has appointed Michael Hendrix, who currently serves as policy director for Governor Bill Lee, as her chief of staff, marking the first cabinet appointment for her incoming administration.
In a release announcing the appointment, Blackburn said Hendrix’s experience in public policy and government would help shape her administration as it prepares to take office in January.
Building an administration that reflects the priorities of Tennesseans starts with having the right people in key leadership positions.@michael_hendrix understands the policy challenges and opportunities facing our state. He brings a depth of experience that will be important… pic.twitter.com/2dH3dGZ29O
— Marsha Blackburn (@VoteMarsha) November 10, 2026
“Building an administration that reflects the priorities of Tennesseans starts with having the right people in key leadership positions,” Blackburn said. “Michael understands the policy challenges and opportunities facing our state. He brings a depth of experience that will be important to our team as we move forward. I am pleased to appoint him as Chief of Staff and look forward to the leadership he brings to this role.”
Before joining the governor’s administration, he served as a senior fellow and director of state and local policy at the Manhattan Institute. He lives in Brentwood with his wife.
“I am grateful to Governor-elect Blackburn for her confidence in me and the opportunity to help lead her administration as Chief of Staff,” Hendrix said in a statement released by Blackburn’s team. “I look forward to bringing my experience in public policy and government to this role and helping advance the priorities of the incoming administration. I appreciate her trust and look forward to what we can accomplish together.”
Hendrix’s appointment follows Blackburn’s recent announcements of the teams responsible for overseeing her transition into the governor’s office.
In the days following her victory in last week’s gubernatorial race, Blackburn announced several appointments and selections as she began assembling her incoming administration and preparing for the transition in January.
Last week, Blackburn announced her gubernatorial transition team, naming several campaign veterans and political advisers to help prepare her administration to take office.
Deputy Governor and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart McWhorter was named chairman of the transition effort.
The transition team includes former campaign manager Abigail Sigler as senior adviser, Dylan Miller as staff director, Rex Purgason and Jack Carnes as deputy staff directors, Annie Rogers as director of operations, Todd Rapp as press secretary, Jensen Blackiston as Blackburn’s executive assistant, and Katie Tully as McWhorter’s executive assistant.
Blackburn also appointed a transition advisory committee made up of former state lawmakers, administration officials, and business leaders to help oversee the transition from Lee’s administration to her incoming administration.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
