Republican state lawmakers and members of the Tennessee congressional delegation are rallying behind U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) after State Representative Gloria Johnson (D-Knoxville) officially announced her bid for Senate on Tuesday.
There is a movement afoot in Tennessee. Now I'm running for US Senate because our work doesn't stop here. Join us. pic.twitter.com/6XKFLuRfkc
— Rep. Gloria Johnson (@VoteGloriaJ) September 5, 2023
Johnson is one of the “Tennessee Three” lawmakers who commandeered the House floor to demand gun control in the wake of the Covenant School earlier this year.
In a statement Tuesday morning, Blackburn’s campaign spokesman Abigail Sigler said Johnson is “as woke as they come,” adding, “she would be a puppet for Joe Biden, the Squad, and Chuck Schumer in the Senate.”
“While Senator Blackburn is working hard to fight back against Biden’s woke agenda, State Rep. Johnson is pushing that divisive, destructive agenda here in Tennessee,” Sigler added.
Blackburn also released a video message following Johnson’s announcement on Tuesday, asking constituents to donate to her re-election campaign.
My socialist opponent is a direct threat to our way of life, and Liberals are already lining up to fund her campaign.
So please, contribute to my campaign today! Together we’ll protect Tennessee and our conservative values: https://t.co/fNWvXyWD3n pic.twitter.com/4mOL1h4L0D
— Marsha Blackburn (@VoteMarsha) September 5, 2023
U.S. Representative John Rose (R-TN-06) was one of the first Tennessee lawmakers to announce his support for Blackburn in wake of Johnson’s bid, writing on X, previously known as Twitter, “Tennesseans deserve @VoteMarsha in the Senate, not a radical Left-wing socialist. I’m #TeamMarsha.”
Tennesseans deserve @VoteMarsha in the Senate, not a radical Left-wing socialist. I’m #TeamMarshahttps://t.co/m3ntpXWAmt
— John Rose (@JohnRoseforTN) September 5, 2023
Tennessee House Minority Leader William Lamberth (R-Portland) also announced his support for Blackburn, tweeting, “Tennesseans deserve Senator Blackburn’s unwavering conservative leadership in Washington, NOT a left-wing socialist.”
I support @VoteMarsha all the way.
Tennesseans deserve Senator Blackburn’s unwavering conservative leadership in Washington, NOT a left-wing socialist. https://t.co/eVbDT1I3gk
— William Lamberth (@WilliamLamberth) September 5, 2023
U.S. Representative Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN-03) added that Blackburn’s track record of delivering for Tennesseans in the U.S. Senate is “clear,” adding, “We must make sure she is elected again in 2024.”
.@VoteMarsha’s track record of delivering for Tennesseans in the United States Senate is clear. We must make sure she is elected again in 2024.
I am #TeamMarsha!https://t.co/R1bGbpcwNH
— Chuck Fleischmann (@chuck4congress) September 5, 2023
Blackburn’s Senate colleague Bill Hagerty (R-TN) also tweeted his support, writing, “It is vital that we stand with @VoteMarsha now to keep Tennessee red and take back the Senate from Chuck Schumer and his radical Democrats in 2024.”
It is vital that we stand with @VoteMarsha now to keep Tennessee red and take back the Senate from Chuck Schumer and his radical Democrats in 2024. Join #TeamMarsha here: https://t.co/qSpqKS4eFv
— Bill Hagerty (@BillHagertyTN) September 5, 2023
Tennessee House Republican Caucus Chairman Jeremy Faison (R-Cosby) called Johnson a “radical socialist who would work to destroy our Tennessee values in the United States Senate,” adding, “She supports late-term abortion, child mutilation, and gun confiscation. We must ensure she does not win #TNSen.”
“I am #TeamMarsha!” Faison added.
Gloria Johnson is a radical socialist who would work to destroy our Tennessee values in the United States Senate.
She supports late-term abortion, child mutilation, and gun confiscation. We must ensure she does not win #TNSen.
I am #TeamMarsha! @VoteMarsha…
— Jeremy Faison (@JeremyFaison4TN) September 5, 2023
State Representative Mark Cochran (R-Englewood) called Johnson a “liberal nut who is out of touch with the vast majority of our state.”
“We need a United States Senator who puts Tennesseans first, not her own radical woke agenda. I am standing behind Sen. Blackburn in 2024 and urge you to join me to keep Tennessee Conservative,” Cochran added.
We need a United States Senator who puts Tennesseans first, not her own radical woke agenda. I am standing behind @VoteMarsha in 2024 and urge you to join me to keep Tennessee Conservative.https://t.co/d5X2Nf8m29
— Mark Cochran (@repmarkcochran) September 5, 2023
U.S. Representative Diana Harshbarger (R-TN-01) said she is “proud” to stand with Blackburn, calling her a “steadfast conservative champion for our Tennessee values in the United States Senate.”
.@VoteMarsha is a steadfast conservative champion for our Tennessee values in the United States Senate. I am proud to stand with her.
Join the fight to keep Tennessee conservative and take back the Senate in 2024 here: https://t.co/CRzYrEedWG
— Diana Harshbarger (@DHarshbargerTN1) September 5, 2023
Tennessee House of Representatives Majority Whip Johnny Garrett (R-Goodlettsville) also backed Blackburn, saying, “A radical Democrat is running to replace @VoteMarsha in the Senate. We can’t let her win and turn Tennessee blue!”
I am #TeamMarsha all the way.
A radical Democrat is running to replace @VoteMarsha in the Senate. We can’t let her win and turn Tennessee blue! Join the fight now: https://t.co/ubekdK0xfT
— Johnny Garrett (@JohnnyGarrett4) September 5, 2023
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
Photo “Marsha Blackburn” by Marsha Blackburn.
Elected officials should serve one term and retire. There is no provision for Marsha to serve until she is riding in a wheelchair.
It’s Marsha vs the Marxist. Not thrilled with Marsha but at least she’s not a Marxist.
I am certainly not a Blackburn fan but Johnson is an embarrassment to the entire state. She should crawl back under her rock.