Republican Marsha Blackburn declared victory in Tennessee's governor's race Tuesday night over Memphis Democrat Jerri Green, positioning herself to become the first woman elected to lead the state. Blackburn said she led by about 40,000 votes as results continued to come in at 11 p.m., with unofficial returns showing her ahead of Green, according to WREG.com.
The declaration came even as ballots were still being tallied statewide. According to WSMV, Blackburn declared herself the winner of the race even though no official winner had been declared and not all votes had been counted. The station later reported that the Tennessee Secretary of State's Office called the race for Blackburn after she received 45.52% of the vote Tuesday night, defeating Green, who received 42.95%.
Other outlets reported slightly different numbers as results rolled in. The Tennessean put Blackburn's share at about 45.5% to Green's 42.9%, with fewer than 55,000 votes separating the two candidates, while the Tennessee Lookout's unofficial count had Blackburn at 45.6%, Green at 43%, and independent candidate David Hatley at 9.3%. WREG's own figures, cited as Blackburn led by about 40,000 votes with 45.23% to Green's 43.38%, add yet another unofficial tally to the mix — a reminder that the final numbers remained in flux well into the night.
Blackburn's Historic Win and Green's Concession
Blackburn, a sitting U.S. senator, said she was honored, humble and grateful to be elected Tennessee's next governor, according to WREG. Her win makes her the first woman elected to serve as Tennessee's governor, the Tennessean reported, a milestone that follows her 2018 Senate victory over former Gov. Phil Bredesen, when she became the first woman elected to represent Tennessee in the U.S. Senate, per WKRN.
Green conceded in Chattanooga, telling supporters she did not see a path to victory, according to the Tennessean. She struck a note of resilience in her own remarks, saying people should grieve for what could have been, then get back to work the next day, per WREG's report.
A Split Decision in Shelby County
Despite Blackburn's statewide win, Green carried the governor's vote in Shelby County, the home turf that helped fuel her campaign. The Commercial Appeal reported that Green carried the vote for Tennessee governor in Shelby County, despite Blackburn's statewide victory — underscoring the geographic divide that shaped the race's final numbers.
Green's candidacy also appeared to have ripple effects down the ballot. The Tennessean reported that her campaign helped energize voters to flip three statehouse seats for Democrats and secure at least one congressional seat, even as the top of the ticket went to the GOP.
A Governor's Office That Has Stayed Red
Tennessee has not elected a Democratic governor since Phil Bredesen won in 2002, according to the Commercial Appeal, and Republicans have held the governor's office since 2011, per WKRN. The Tennessean also noted that, based on records stretching back at least a century, no Tennessee governor had previously won with less than 50% of the vote — pointing to Bredesen's 50.65% in 2002 and Frank Clement's 50.9% in 1962 as the modern benchmarks a sub-50% Blackburn finish would break.
Outgoing Gov. Bill Lee congratulated Blackburn on her victory, saying Tennesseans trusted a conservative leader who understands fiscal responsibility, community safety and creating opportunities for families, according to WREG. Lee said he plans to work with Governor-elect Blackburn in the coming months on a smooth transition and continued prosperity for Tennessee, the outlet reported, as the state prepares for its first change in governor's-office leadership in years.
