Hegseth not considered for Marsha Blackburn's Senate seat in Tennessee

USA Today · , USA TODAY · 2026-11-06 05:02 UTC

Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn is not considering Pete Hegseth as her replacement when she is sworn in as governor, a source close to Blackburn said.

WASHINGTON — Republican U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, elected this week as her state's next governor, is not considering Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to fill her upcoming Senate vacancy, according to a source close to the senator.

Hegseth, who has a home outside Nashville, has been the subject of growing speculation for the appointment. But the source said Blackburn is not considering the appointment of Hegseth as her successor, nor has she spoken with President Donald Trump about picking the Pentagon chief, as she begins her transition to the governor's office.

Multiple Republican officeholders and donors pushed back at Blackburn potentially choosing Hegseth for her Senate seat after his name surfaced for the role, according to the source, who was granted anonymity to discuss private discussions. The source rejected the Hegseth talk as baseless speculation from Washington.

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