Dem
47
GOP
53
As a general rule, being governor of a big state is a better job than being a senator from that state. However, for a small state, being a senator is a better deal. For states in the middle, it is a question of personal preference. Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO) has already announced that he is going to give up a job he could hold for life for a chance at being governor of Colorado for 8 years. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) is running for governor of Alabama. Now Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) has made the decision to run for governor of her state.
We understand why a senator in the minority would do that, but a senator in the majority has some power to affect legislation, get pork, etc., so Blackburn's decision is a bit surprising. She doesn't have to resign to run since she is not up until 2030, but apparently she thinks being governor is more fun. Tuberville's decision might be partly due to the fact that none of his colleagues think of him as particularly bright and probably mock him behind his back. Tuberville is up in 2026, so if he loses the gubernatorial election, he is out of politics.
Blackburn is not known as one of the all-time great senators and is barely interested in the job. Still, governors have to, well, govern, and she has no experience actually running anything. Her whole life has been in various legislative bodies, with the Senate simply being the culmination.
Blackburn is 73 and Tennessee has never had a female governor, so maybe her swan song is to break through that particular glass ceiling. In the Republican primary she will face off against Rep. John Rose (R-TN), unless he changes his mind. As a senator and former representative, she is much better known than he is and is clearly the favorite. (V)