Senator Blackburn Rewarded for Putting Students First

NASHVILLE – Tennesseans for Student Success (TSS) released the following statement tonight to congratulate U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn on winning the GOP gubernatorial primary and ensuring that students won't take a back seat in the next administration.

"Tennessee voters made a fundamental choice tonight to continue investing in high-quality public education by electing leaders like Marsha Blackburn, who won't rest on the laurels of Tennessee's progress," said Lana Skelo, TSS President and CEO. "While some candidates questioned the need for high standards and ignored the critical role that public schools play in our state, Blackburn boldly put students first by committing to ending one-size-fits-all solutions to education and breaking down barriers so that every student has an opportunity for success."

Heading into the primary, TSS polled likely Republican voters on multiple education policies that are proven to give students the opportunity to succeed.

• More than 71% support making it easier for families to enroll in schools outside of their district.
• More than 68% believe school choice policies expand opportunity for students.
• Nearly 68% support expanding education options in rural Tennessee.
• More than 61% support public charter schools.

Senator Blackburn publicly supported each of these policies and made them focal points of her campaign.