40 Facts About Marsha Blackburn

Early Life and Education

Marsha Blackburn's journey began in the heart of Mississippi, where her roots were firmly planted.

1. Birth and Early Life: Born on June 6, 1952, in Laurel, Mississippi, Marsha Wedgeworth grew up with a father in sales and management and a mother passionate about gardening and volunteerism.
2. Education: Blackburn attended Mississippi State University on a 4-H scholarship, earning a Bachelor of Science in home economics in 1974. She was active in the Chi Omega sorority and the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Little Sisters of Minerva.

Early Career and Political Involvement

Before diving into politics, Blackburn built a solid foundation in the business world.

3. Early Career: Before graduating, Blackburn worked as a sales manager for the Times Mirror Company in 1973. From 1975 to 1978, she worked in the Castner Knott Division of Mercantile Stores, Inc. In 1978, she became the owner of Marketing Strategies, a promotion-event management firm.
4. Political Involvement: Blackburn was a founding member of the Williamson County Young Republicans and served as chair of the Williamson County Republican Party from 1989 to 1991.

Rise in Tennessee Politics

Blackburn's political career took off in Tennessee, where she made significant strides.

5. First Congressional Run: In 1992, Blackburn ran for Congress in Tennessee's 6th congressional district but lost to incumbent Bart Gordon. She was a delegate to the 1992 Republican National Convention.
6. Executive Director of Tennessee Film, Entertainment, and Music Commission: In 1995, Blackburn was appointed executive director of the Tennessee Film, Entertainment, and Music Commission by Governor Don Sundquist, a position she held until 1997.
7. Tennessee State Senate: Blackburn was a member of the Tennessee Senate from 1998 to 2003, leading a successful statewide grassroots campaign to defeat a proposed state income tax bill.

U.S. House of Representatives

Blackburn's influence grew as she transitioned to the national stage.

8. U.S. House of Representatives: Redistricting after the 2000 census moved Blackburn's home into Tennessee's 7th congressional district. She won the Republican primary in 2002 and the general election, defeating Democratic nominee Tim Barron with 70% of the vote.
9. Reelections: Blackburn was reelected seven times to the U.S. House of Representatives, becoming the fourth woman elected to Congress from Tennessee and the first woman elected to Congress from Tennessee who did not succeed her husband.
10. Conservative Stance: During her time in the House, Blackburn was rated among the House's most conservative members by the National Journal. She supported tax cuts and a balanced budget amendment and was outspoken in her opposition to abortion rights.

Support for Donald Trump and Senate Campaign

Blackburn's alignment with Trump played a crucial role in her Senate campaign.

11. Support for Donald Trump: Blackburn endorsed Donald Trump during the 2016 presidential election and later served on his presidential transition team.
12. Senate Campaign: After Senator Bob Corker announced his retirement in 2018, Blackburn decided to run for his seat. She made her support for Trump’s policies the centerpiece of her campaign against Phil Bredesen, a moderate Democrat and former governor of Tennessee. Blackburn won the election by more than 10 percentage points.

Historic Senate Victory

Blackburn made history with her Senate win, breaking new ground for women in Tennessee politics.

13. First Woman Senator from Tennessee: On November 6, 2018, Blackburn became the first woman to be elected to the U.S. Senate from Tennessee, defeating Democratic former Governor Phil Bredesen.
14. Senior Senator: Upon the retirement of Senator Lamar Alexander in January 2021, Blackburn became the senior senator from Tennessee.
15. Dean of Tennessee’s Congressional Delegation: With the retirement of Congressman Jim Cooper in 2023, Blackburn became the dean of Tennessee’s congressional delegation.

Legislative Efforts and Committee Assignments

Blackburn's legislative work spans a wide range of issues, reflecting her diverse interests and commitments.

16. Reelection Bid: In 2024, Blackburn is seeking reelection to a second Senate term against Democratic nominee Gloria Johnson.
17. Committee Assignments: Blackburn serves on several committees in the Senate, including the Finance Committee, the Commerce, Science & Transportation Committee, the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, and the Judiciary Committee.
18. Subcommittee Roles: She serves as the Ranking Member on the Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Data Security and on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Law.
19. Bipartisan Legislation: Blackburn has championed numerous bipartisan initiatives, including the Kids Online Safety Act and the REPORT Act, which requires Big Tech companies to report sex trafficking crimes against children to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
20. Speak Out Act: She introduced the Speak Out Act, which was signed into law in 2022 and prohibits the enforcement of NDAs in instances of sexual harassment and assault.

Advocacy and Achievements

Blackburn's advocacy work has led to several notable achievements, particularly in the realm of women's rights and the entertainment industry.

21. Women’s Suffrage Commemorative Coin Act: In 2019, Blackburn’s bipartisan Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commemorative Coin Act was signed into law by President Trump, honoring the 100th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote.
22. AM/FM Act and HITS Act: Blackburn has supported initiatives like the AM/FM Act and the HITS Act, which aim to benefit the creative community.
23. Music Modernization Act: In the House of Representatives, she established the bipartisan Songwriters Caucus and successfully fought for passage of the Music Modernization Act, which revolutionized music licensing processes.
24. BOTS Act: Blackburn also championed the BOTS Act, which empowered the Federal Trade Commission to crack down on digital scalpers.

Border Security and Human Trafficking

Blackburn has been vocal about border security and combating human trafficking.

25. Border Security: On border policy, Blackburn emphasizes the need for secure borders, advocating for fully funding the United States Border Patrol, restarting construction of a physical barrier, and imposing harsher criminal penalties for drug smuggling.
26. Human Trafficking: She has been a leader in the fight against cross-border human trafficking, particularly focusing on protecting women and girls from exploitation.

Online Safety and Big Tech Accountability

Blackburn's efforts extend to online safety and holding Big Tech accountable.

27. Kids Online Safety Act: Following reports of social media platforms exposing minors to harmful content, Blackburn first introduced the Kids Online Safety Act in the 117th Congress.
28. REPORT Act: In 2024, her bipartisan REPORT Act was signed into law, requiring Big Tech companies to report sex trafficking crimes against children to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Author and Family Life

Beyond politics, Blackburn is also an author and dedicated family woman.

29. Author and Businesswoman: Blackburn wrote "Life Equity: Realize Your True Value and Pursue Your Passions at Any Stage in Life" (2008) and "The Mind of a Conservative Woman: Seeking the Best for Family and Country" (2020). With her daughter, Mary Morgan Ketchel, she co-authored the children’s book "Camilla Can Vote" (2020).
30. Family Life: Blackburn is married to Chuck Blackburn and has two children, Chad and Mary Morgan. She has three grandchildren.
31. Residences: She resides in Brentwood, Tennessee, and has additional offices in various locations across Tennessee.

Stances on Key Issues

Blackburn holds firm stances on several key issues, reflecting her conservative values.

32. Healthcare Stance: Blackburn opposed the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and supported efforts to repeal it. She falsely stated that two of its popular provisions were Republican provisions during her campaign.
33. LGBT Rights: She opposes same-sex marriage and voted against repealing the military's Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy. She also voted against the Employment Non-Discrimination Act to ban discrimination against LGBT employees.
34. Abortion Rights: Blackburn is a staunch opponent of abortion rights and has supported Republican efforts to defund Planned Parenthood Federation of America.
35. Taxation: She supports tax cuts and has advocated for a balanced budget amendment.

Support for the Entertainment Industry

Blackburn's support for the entertainment industry has been a consistent theme throughout her career.

36. Entertainment Industry Support: As a lifelong supporter of the entertainment industry, Blackburn served as executive director of the Tennessee Film, Entertainment, and Music Commission from 1995 to 1997.

Leadership and Public Service

Blackburn's leadership philosophy and dedication to public service have shaped her career.

37. Leadership Philosophy: Blackburn’s leadership philosophy is based on her experiences in the private sector as a small businesswoman and author, as well as her roles as a mother and grandmother.
38. Public Service Dedication: She dedicates her public service to promoting opportunities for all Tennesseans, including breaking barriers for women and making America a more prosperous place to live.

Committee Membership and Advocacy for Songwriters

Blackburn's committee work and advocacy for songwriters highlight her diverse interests.

39. Committee Membership: In addition to her subcommittee roles, Blackburn is a member of several Senate committees, including Armed Services, Veterans’ Affairs, Judiciary, and Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
40. Founding Member of Congressional Songwriters Caucus: Blackburn is the founder and chair of the Congressional Songwriters Caucus, which she established in 2003 to advocate for the rights of songwriters and musicians.

Marsha Blackburn: A Trailblazer in Politics

Marsha Blackburn's journey from Laurel, Mississippi to the U.S. Senate showcases her dedication to public service and conservative values. From her early days in the Tennessee State Senate to becoming the first woman elected to the Senate from Tennessee, Blackburn has consistently championed causes she believes in. Her work on bipartisan legislation like the Kids Online Safety Act and the Speak Out Act highlights her commitment to protecting vulnerable populations. Blackburn's advocacy for secure borders, opposition to abortion rights, and support for the entertainment industry further define her political career. As she seeks reelection in 2024, Blackburn's influence in American politics remains significant. Her story is one of perseverance, leadership, and breaking barriers, making her a notable figure in the political landscape.