Tennessee U.S. Representatives Tim Burchett (R-TN-02) and Andy Ogles (R-TN-05) have both expressed interest in taking over U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn’s (R-TN) seat in the Senate if she were elected governor next year.
On Wednesday, Blackburn officially declared herself as a candidate in the 2026 Tennessee gubernatorial race.
If a U.S. Senate seat becomes vacant in Tennessee, the governor may appoint a temporary replacement until a successor is elected in the next regular November election.
In the case Blackburn ultimately wins the election, she would be required to vacate her Senate seat in 2027 and appoint a temporary successor until a special election is held.
If Blackburn vacates her Senate seat before assuming office as governor, incumbent Governor Bill Lee would be required to choose a candidate to fill Blackburn’s seat until a special election is held.
CNN Chief Congressional Correspondent Manu Raju reported Wednesday that Burchett told him he is “considering a run for the Tennessee Senate seat” occupied by Blackburn.
GOP Rep. Tim Burchett told me he is considering a run for the Tennessee Senate seat now occupied by Sen. Marsha Blackburn, who announced today she’s running for governor of their state
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) August 6, 2025
Ogles similarly told The Hill he is “definitely interested” in the seat.
Further, Ogles acknowledged Burchett’s interest in the seat, telling the outlet that he and Burchett will “probably do some sort of steer wrestling or something like that” to compete for Blackburn’s seat.
Burchett, who previously served 16 years in the Tennessee General Assembly and eight years as mayor of Knox County, began serving in Congress in January 2019. He served in the Tennessee State Senate during the same time Blackburn did.
He pointed to his working relationship with Blackburn in the state senate in a statement to The Hill, saying, “We sat beside each other in the state Senate. Literally, she was on my right hand, I was on her left. We’ve had a great friendship.”
Ogles, who previously served as mayor of Maury County, began serving in Congress in January 2023.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
Photo “Rep Andy Ogle” by Rep. Andy Ogles and “Rep Tim Burchett” is by Rep. Andy Ogles.
Firstly, I will not be voting for Marsha Blackburn for anything again.
On Jan 6, 2021, she voted to CERTIFY JOE BIDEN AS POTUS, against the wishes of her Constituents. She has NEVER explained her decision to do that. She was asked recently about it on a live radio ( 99. 7) interview. She flustered into a word salad, much like Kamala Harris would do. There are a couple Tennesseans that I’m aware of who were arrested & put in prison for “TRESPASSING” for years, with no criminal background. One , who was a Deputy Sheriff in her home county, she has never commented on, even though she knows his Civil Rights were violated. He lost his job.
Thankfully, President Trump pardoned these participants in a legal STOP THE STEAL PROTEST.
The public has been promised by Congress ALL THE VIDEO from J6, 2021 to be released.
So far, that has not happened.
Someone please hold her accountable.
You would think shecwould have some kind of response ready explaining her vote on that say when we needed her to stand up.
SHE BETRAYED HER CONSTITUENTS.