Tennesseans for Student Success Welcomes Senator Marsha Blackburn to the Gubernatorial Race

NASHVILLE — Tennesseans for Student Success (TSS) released the following statement to welcome U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn to the 2026 Tennessee Governor’s race.

“Senator Blackburn is the latest of what we anticipate will be a dynamic and passionate group of candidates vying to lead our state as the next governor. We are excited to hear her vision and proposals for building upon the strong policies that have already made a positive impact on Tennessee students,” said TSS President and CEO Lana Skelo. “With decades of service in Washington and Nashville, Blackburn is uniquely positioned to drive conversations around how to leverage the resources and responsibilities of federal, state, and local governments to best serve student needs and, as the Trump Administration has supported, maintain high-quality statewide assessments. Recent polling published by TSS of Republican primary voters found 86 percent support the transparency and clarity provided by Tennessee’s assessment system, which provides valuable measurements and accountability as we work to build every student’s future success. We also urge Blackburn to champion policies that enhance workforce readiness, ensuring our students are prepared for success in the future of work and to prioritize innovation within our schools, particularly in public charter schools, which play a crucial role in providing diverse educational options and fostering student-centered learning environments.”

Blackburn is currently serving her second term as a U.S. Senator. She previously represented Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District and served as a Tennessee State Senator.

Tennesseans for Student Success is a statewide network of parents, guardians, teachers, and community leaders that champions economic freedom and mobility for all Tennesseans by supporting high-quality educational opportunities and working to ensure every Tennessee student has access to a great public education.