Tom Pappert, lead reporter at The Tennessee Star, said Governor-elect Marsha Blackburn’s choice of a successor to her U.S. Senate seat could significantly affect the future of Tennessee Republicans, especially as potential candidates begin positioning themselves for the 2028 election.
During an appearance Tuesday on The Michael Patrick Leahy Show, Pappert discussed Blackburn’s reported shortlist of four potential successors: U.S. Representatives Tim Burchett (R-TN-02) and Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN-03), Deputy Governor and Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Stuart McWhorter, and former Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs.
Pappert noted that Blackburn, who will take office as governor in January, will appoint someone to serve the remaining two years of her Senate term before the seat goes before voters again in 2028.
“This has only happened six or seven times in the entire history of the United States of America,” Pappert said, describing the unusual circumstances surrounding Blackburn’s ability to appoint her own successor.
He said Burchett and Fleischmann have both expressed interest in the appointment and indicated they intend to run for a full Senate term in 2028.
Burchett, who previously discussed his interest in the position on the program in October 2025, reiterated his interest during a Fox News appearance over the weekend.
Pappert said Burchett highlighted his statewide grassroots network, name recognition, and fundraising ability, noting that he raised $1 million during the final month of the campaign.
After discussing those qualifications, Burchett said, “And if she doesn’t pick me, I fully intend to run in 2028.”
Fleischmann, meanwhile, has said he would not be a placeholder if selected and would seek reelection in 2028.
Pappert suggested the statements from both congressmen could signal the beginning of a competitive Republican primary for the Senate seat.
“I think the real story that we may be seeing, the first pages written of now, is the 2028 Senate race in Tennessee, where you’re going to have three or four candidates say that they are the MAGA candidates,” Pappert said.
Jacobs, who served as Knox County mayor before being term-limited, is another potential contender. Pappert noted that Jacobs, known nationally as WWE personality Kane, served as treasurer for Blackburn’s gubernatorial campaign and appeared alongside her at virtually every campaign event he followed.
“A lot of folks think he is a very likely candidate to receive the nomination or the selection, I should say, from Marsha Blackburn,” Pappert said.
McWhorter, whom Blackburn recently named as chair of her gubernatorial transition team, is considered the lesser-known candidate among the four, as Pappert noted, “[H]e is the dark horse candidate that nobody expected until this week.”
Pappert also discussed the political implications of Blackburn’s appointment, arguing the selection will matter beyond Tennessee.
“I think that this is going to be a really important selection for the future of the Republican Party and the Senate over these next two years as the few pro-Trump MAGA senators are forced to reckon not only with the Democrats that are going to be passing some of the most unhinged legislation we’ve ever seen, but these oddball Republicans like John Thune, who seem unwilling to do anything to stop it,” Pappert said.
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— Michael Patrick Leahy (@michaelpleahy) November 10, 2026
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
Photo “Marsha Blackburn” by Marsha Blackburn.
