New Delhi, Aug. 6 -- Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn officially launched her campaign for Tennessee governor Wednesday, setting up a fierce 2026 primary battle against fellow Trump ally Congressman John Rose.

In a video announcement filled with images of Donald Trump, Blackburn declared: "Trump is back, America is blessed, and Tennessee, better than ever" . Both candidates want to replace term-limited Governor Bill Lee, who can't run again after eight years.

Blackburn, a former Fox News regular and Tea Party leader, promised to make Tennessee "America's job-creating, energy-producing powerhouse" while deporting undocumented immigrants "whether it takes planes, trains, or starships". If elected, she'd become Tennessee's first female ...