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Tim Burchett Says He Would ‘Absolutely’ Replace Marsha Blackburn In US Senate
Republican Representative Tim Burchett says he would accept appointment to the US Senate seat held by Marsha Blackburn when she becomes Tennessee’s governor in January 2027. He would also run for the seat if Blackburn chooses someone else, making clear he intends to pursue the role either way.
Burchett is one of several Republicans reportedly on Blackburn’s shortlist, alongside Deputy Governor Stuart McWhorter, Representative Chuck Fleischmann and former Knox County mayor Glenn Jacobs. Blackburn won the governor’s race by about three points, and a special election for her Senate seat is scheduled for 2028. Burchett has represented Tennessee’s 2nd Congressional District since 2019 and won re-election by 16 points.
In short
- Burchett says he would accept appointment to Blackburn’s Senate seat.
- He plans to run if he is not appointed.
- A special election for the seat is scheduled for 2028.
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The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters could argue that Burchett’s stated willingness to serve, whether appointed or elected, gives Tennessee a candidate with congressional experience and a strong record of support in his district. An appointment could also provide continuity in the Senate while leaving voters to decide the seat in the 2028 special election.
The case against
Critics could argue that a Senate seat should be filled by a choice made directly by Tennessee voters, so an appointment risks giving one politician undue influence over who serves before the 2028 election. They might also favour a different candidate from Blackburn’s shortlist, or contend that Burchett should remain in the House, where constituents elected him to represent their district.
Explained simply
Tennessee has two seats in the US Senate, where elected senators represent their state in the federal government. Marsha Blackburn, a Republican, currently holds one of them and is due to become Tennessee’s governor in January 2027.
When a senator leaves before their term ends, the state’s governor can appoint someone to fill the seat until a special election. Tennessee’s special election for this seat is scheduled for 2028, and several Republicans are reported to be under consideration for the appointment. Tim Burchett is a Republican member of the US House of Representatives, where he has represented Tennessee’s 2nd Congressional District since 2019.
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