Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs will act as Marsha Blackburn’s campaign treasurer as she launches her bid for Governor. He confirmed his new role shortly after Blackburn made her official announcement.
Jacobs has long been a staunch supporter of Blackburn, who he initially endorsed back in January when she was “considering” running. Now he has fully and officially endorsed her after her gubernatorial campaign announcement. Jacobs himself had considered a campaign for Governor and was traveling the state regularly before Blackburn indicated she planned to run and he opted out.
“Since the moment I found out Marsha was considering running, I have backed her 100%,” the Knox County Mayor said in a statement. “Tennessee’s thriving economy and business environment are in large part due to Marsha’s leadership in fighting the proposed state in income tax in the early 2000s. She is exactly who Tennessee needs in the driver’s seat, and I’m honored to be her campaign Treasurer. I will do whatever it takes to ensure she is elected.”
Blackburn was reelected to her full six year Senate term in 2024. If she is elected governor then she will appoint her replacement to the Senate pending a 2028 special election for the seat. The six year term for that seat would open again in 2030. Jacob‘s decision to forgo a race against Blackburn when she indicated her own interest in the governor‘s office sparked immediate speculation that she had promised to appoint him to the Senate seat if she prevailed in the election. Both Blackburn and Jacobs have denied that any “deal” has been cut.
NBC recently ignited speculation regarding defense secretary Pete Hegseth possibly running for Tennessee Governor or receiving the appointment to the Tennessee Senate seat from Blackburn should she get elected in 2026. Hegseth denied any interest in the governor’s race and has only lived in Tennessee for a few years.
Knoxville Republican congressman Tim Burchett has also been mentioned as a potential appointee to the Senate seat if Blackburn is successful in her campaign. Burchett has dramatically increased his appearances across the state and on national news media in recent months. He and Trump enjoy a strong personal relationship.
