Marsha Blackburn believes Tennessee is prime for a “reset” that will make the state “America’s conservative leader.” She says she is the person to lead that effort as the state’s next governor.
Tennessee’s senior U.S. Senator brought her message to the Polk County Republican Party’s Trump Day Dinner Tuesday, August 12.
Blackburn foresees “a great time to reset” as President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill returns power to the states, “where it should be.”
She believes Trump’s bill opens the door to put the framework in place for the next generation.
“Trump will need a very strong group of governors to introduce his policies,” Blackburn says. She believes she is the leader to be part of that group.
“I’m doing this for our kids and grandkids,” she said, explaining her decision to move her political career from Washington, D.C., back to her home state.
Blackburn talked of standing with Trump on immigration, taxes, reducing the federal government bureaucracy, keeping boys out of girls sports, and returning power to the states. She predicted Tennessee families can expect to see about $2,600 less in taxes thanks to new federal tax laws.
“No one had to wonder where President Donald Trump stood,” she said.
Speaking of her own history in Tennessee, she reminded the crowd how she led the fight against the state income tax championed by then-governor Don Sunquist.
Instead of increasing taxes, Blackburn said, “we had to skinny up the government,” which legislators accomplished.
She continues to be credited for Tennessee not having a state income tax, which is now prohibited by the state Constitution.
Addressing reports about federal monies no longer reaching Medicaid and schools, she said Medicaid funding will increase, but new rules will stop those who do not deserve the help it provides. She said school monies will continue to reach local needs through block grants.
“We have a great foundation to build on,” she said of Tennessee’s future.
The candidate for governor paraphrased Ronald Reagan’s quote, “The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one that gets the people to do the greatest things.” She said she is the person to pull a team together, to lead that team, and to reset Tennessee for the future. “We are going to turn Tennessee into America’s conservative leader,” she said.
State Senator Tom Hatcher, who introduced Blackburn, called her “a beacon of freedom who gets things done...She accomplishes anything she sets her mind to.”
State Representative Dan Howell confirmed Blackburn’s view that Tennessee is in a great place to tackle the future. “We’ve been holding people accountable for a long time,” he said, comparing the state to the DOGE effort.
Monica Farrow, one of the many Polk County residents at the Ocoee Ridge Camp meeting, said, ““I appreciate a candidate who comes to Polk County. Senator Blackburn will be Tennessee’s next Governor.”