Trump weighs in on primary race for Tennessee governor between Sen. Marsha Blackburn and Rep. John Rose
Joyce Orlando
August 21, 2025
Will it be U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn or U.S. Rep. John Rose who comes out on top for the Republican ticket in the race to replace Governor Bill Lee? Even President Donald Trump appears to be having a hard time deciding whom to back.
Reports from the White House show Trump’s having a hard time doling out one of his endorsements for either candidate running for the Tennessee governor’s seat.
“I’ll probably be forced to do it. I wish I didn’t have to do it. But you know, I’ll probably be forced to do it,” Trump is quoted as saying in an X post by USA TODAY White House Correspondent Joey Garrison. The president also called both candidates “fantastic”.
Rose first announced his bid for the Republican primary ticket in March, while Blackburn didn’t announce her candidacy until August. The two candidates are the only Republicans who have thrown their hats into the ring so far ahead of the 2026 election, but there are a number of Democrats vying for the position as well.
