Sen. Marsha Blackburn Faces Tightening Tennessee Governor Primary Race

A new poll of likely Republican primary voters in Tennessee shows Sen. Marsha Blackburn’s lead in the governor’s race shrinking to under four percentage points, with U.S. Rep. John Rose at 31 percent and State Rep. Monty Fritts trailing at about 26 percent. The survey indicates Blackburn remains the best‑known candidate but is viewed as divisive, with a 47 percent favorability rating and a 50 percent unfavorability rating among respondents. Blackburn’s campaign has dismissed the poll, noting earlier internal polling showed a larger margin.

Separately, Blackburn has issued a legal threat to the American Exceptionalism Institute PAC after it aired an artificial‑intelligence‑generated attack ad labeling her the “queen pharma mama.” The ad, which cites her 2016 opioid‑legislation sponsor role, was ordered removed under a new Tennessee law requiring AI political ads to disclose synthetic content. Two television stations have already pulled the spot, and Blackburn’s office called the claims “completely false.”