Joining Senator Elizabeth Warren in reelection victory is Republican U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn.
The Senator secured her reelection on Tuesday, winning in the GOP-stronghold of Tennessee.
The 72 year old defeated state Representative Gloria Johnson, who became popular last year when she was nearly expelled from the Statehouse for her involvement in a gun control protest from the House floor.
Blackburn has made controversial statements in the past, including labeling the landmark 1965 case that granted married couples the right to birth control as “constitutionally unsound” shortly after the court overturned the constitutional right to abortion in 2022.
Additionally, during Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation hearing for the Supreme Court in 2022, Blackburn asked if she could define “the word ‘woman’” and criticized transgender women participating in female sports.
Johnson, 62, has been vocal against Blackburn’s policy positions, claiming that most Tennesseans desire “common sense gun legislation” and improved access to reproductive care.
However, Blackburn easily won, despite running a more low-key campaign compared to the tough race she faced six years ago.
“Keeping that American dream alive is very important,” Blackburn stated in her victory speech on Tuesday.
“This seat does not belong to an individual but it belongs to the people of Tennessee.”
Blackburn also shared that Johnson had called to concede just moments before, pointing out that her Democratic opponent from six years ago, former Democratic Governor Phil Bredesen, never did.
“I appreciate that she did that,” Blackburn said.
Blackburn was first elected to the U.S. House in 2002.
She became associated with the tea party movement and frequently appeared on Fox News.
Prior to that, she established her reputation as a state lawmaker who played a key role in opposing a proposed income tax in Tennessee during the early 2000s.
Blackburn’s victory in 2018 was significant as it marked the first time a woman was elected as a U.S. senator from Tennessee.
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