Blackburn Wins Tennessee Governor’s Race

Republican U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn won Tennessee’s gubernatorial race, defeating Democrat Jerri Green and independent David Hatley to succeed term-limited Gov. Bill Lee. Blackburn received about 45.5% of the vote, compared with Green’s roughly 42.9% and Hatley’s 9.3%; Green conceded on election night. Blackburn will become Tennessee’s first woman governor and is expected to leave the Senate, where she has said she would choose her successor. Her campaign emphasized conservative themes, including opposition to China and communism, social issues, and a pledge to restore the electric chair after a botched execution attempt. Democrat Victoria Broderick also narrowly defeated Republican incumbent Scott DesJarlais, flipping Tennessee’s 4th Congressional District.