Marsha Blackburn (Statewide)

Biography

Marsha Blackburn, born Mary Marsha Wedgeworth on June 6, 1952, in Laurel, Mississippi, is an American politician and businesswoman serving as the senior United States Senator from Tennessee. A member of the Republican Party, she has been a prominent figure in Tennessee politics for over two decades. Blackburn began her political career in the Tennessee State Senate from 1999 to 2003, followed by her election to the U.S. House of Representatives, where she represented Tennessee's 7th congressional district from 2003 to 2019. In 2018, she made history by becoming the first woman elected to the U.S. Senate from Tennessee. She was re-elected in 2024, defeating Democratic state Representative Gloria Johnson.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: Bachelor of Science in Home Economics from Mississippi State University.

• Political Experience:

  • Executive Director of the Tennessee Film, Entertainment, and Music Commission .
  • Tennessee State Senator for the 23rd district .
  • U.S. Representative for Tennessee's 7th congressional district .
  • U.S. Senator from Tennessee .

Notable Achievements and Positions

• Legislation and Advocacy:

  • Introduced the bipartisan Kids Online Safety Act in the 117th Congress, aiming to protect minors from harmful online content.
  • Authored the REPORT Act, requiring tech companies to report child sex trafficking crimes, which was signed into law in 2024.
  • Sponsored the Speak Out Act, prohibiting the enforcement of non-disclosure agreements in cases of sexual harassment and assault, signed into law in 2022.
  • Led the Women's Suffrage Centennial Commemorative Coin Act in 2019, honoring the 100th anniversary of women's right to vote.

• Political Positions:

  • Strong advocate for border security, supporting full funding for the U.S. Border Patrol and the construction of a physical barrier along the U.S.-Mexico border.
  • Opposes abortion and has sought to overturn Roe v. Wade.
  • Opposes same-sex marriage and has voted against legislation expanding rights for LGBTQ+ individuals.
  • Supports increased regulation of technology companies, focusing on protecting minors from harmful online content.

• Campaign Initiatives:

  • Established a "campaign college" to train aspiring conservative leaders in Tennessee, with over 700 volunteers participating since early 2023.

Throughout her career, Senator Blackburn has been recognized for her staunch conservative positions and her dedication to issues such as border security, online safety for children, and women's rights.