Governor-elect Marsha Blackburn announced her gubernatorial transition team Friday, naming several campaign veterans and political advisers who will help prepare her incoming administration to take office in January.
Chairman Stuart McWhorter will lead the transition team, which Blackburn named to oversee the committee on Wednesday. The team also includes Abigail Sigler as senior advisor, 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.
I'm delighted to have this experienced and talented team in place to help prepare our administration to hit the ground running when we take office.
Tennesseans expect results, and our focus will be on building on our state's success, making government work more efficiently, and… pic.twitter.com/NBasfmMOCt
— Marsha Blackburn (@VoteMarsha) November 6, 2026
“I’m delighted to have this experienced and talented team in place to help prepare our administration to hit the ground running when we take office,” Blackburn said in a statement. “Tennesseans expect results, and our focus will be on building on our state’s success, making government work more efficiently, and delivering on the priorities that matter most to Tennessee families starting the very first day of our administration.”
“It’s an honor to help lead this effort and work alongside Governor-elect Blackburn and her team,” said McWhorter, who currently serves as Deputy Governor and Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. “We have a strong group of individuals with the experience and dedication needed to ensure a smooth transition and prepare the next administration to get to work on behalf of Tennesseans.”
Sigler most recently served as campaign manager for Blackburn’s gubernatorial campaign and previously managed her senatorial campaign. She first worked with Blackburn as communications director during her 2018 Senate campaign.
Miller also worked on Blackburn’s gubernatorial campaign and began his career in Tennessee as a political staffer on her 2018 Senate campaign.
Purgason has worked on campaigns at the state, local, and federal levels, including managing former Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs’ 2022 reelection campaign.
Carnes worked on Blackburn’s 2024 Senate campaign and gubernatorial campaign.
Rogers previously oversaw operations for Blackburn’s campaign and worked at the National Republican Congressional Committee.
Rapp previously worked at the Tennessee Republican Senate Caucus, while Blackiston served as an executive assistant during Blackburn’s campaign. Tully worked on the campaign as a communications assistant.
Friday’s announcement follows Blackburn’s appointment of a group of former state lawmakers, administration officials, and business leaders to her transition advisory committee on Thursday. That committee will also work under McWhorter to oversee the transition from Lee’s administration to Blackburn’s incoming administration.
Blackburn defeated Democratic nominee Jerri Green and independent candidate David Hatley in Tuesday’s gubernatorial election, becoming the first woman elected governor in Tennessee history.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
Photo “Marsha Blackburn” by Marsha Blackburn.
