View source for Biography:Marsha Blackburn

{{Infobox officeholder
|name          = Marsha Blackburn
|image         = Marsha Blackburn, official photo, 116th Congress.jpg
|jr/sr         = United States Senator
|state         = {{wipe|Tennessee}}
|alongside     = Lamar Alexander
|term_start    = January 3, 2019
|term_end      = 
|predecessor   = Bob Corker
|successor     = 
|state1        = {{wipe|Tennessee}}
|district1     = {{ushr|TN|7|7th}}
|term_start1   = January 3, 2003
|term_end1     = January 3, 2019
|predecessor1  = Ed Bryant
|successor1    = Mark E. Green
|state_senate2 = Tennessee
|district2     = 23rd
|term_start2   = January 12, 1999
|term_end2     = January 3, 2003
|predecessor2  = Keith Jordan
|successor2    = Jim Bryson
|office3       = Executive Director of the Tennessee Film, Entertainment, and Music Commission
|governor3     = Don Sundquist
|term_start3   = February 1995
|term_end3     = June 1997
|predecessor3  = Dancy Jones
|successor3    = Anne Pope
|office4       = Chair of the Williamson County Republican Party
|term_start4   = 1989 
|term_end4     = 1991
|predecessor4  = George Miller
|successor4    = Al Nations
|birth_name    = Marsha Wedgeworth
|birth_date    = {{birth date and age|1952|6|6}}
|birth_place   = Laurel, Mississippi, U.S.
|death_date    = 
|death_place   = 
|party         = Republican
|spouse        = {{marriage|Chuck Blackburn|1975}}
|residence     = Brentwood, Tennessee
|children      = 2
|education     = [[Organization:Mississippi State University|Mississippi State University]] (BS)
}}
'''Marsha Blackburn''' (née '''Wedgeworth'''; born June 6, 1952) is an American politician and businesswoman serving as the junior United States Senator from {{wipe|Tennessee}}. A member of the Republican Party, Blackburn previously served the U.S. House for {{ushr|TN|7}} from 2003 to 2019. She was also a State Senator from 1999 to 2003. On November 6, 2018, she became the first woman to be elected to the U.S. Senate from Tennessee, defeating Democratic former Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen.

==Early life and education==
Marsha Wedgeworth Blackburn was born in Laurel, Mississippi, to Mary Jo (Morgan) and Hilman Wedgeworth, who worked in sales and management.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://brentwoodhomepage.com/hilman-wedgeworth-wwii-veteran-father-of-rep-blackburn|title=Hilman Wedgeworth: WWII veteran; father of Rep. Blackburn - Brentwood Home Page|website=brentwoodhomepage.com}}</ref> She attended [[Organization:Mississippi State University|Mississippi State University]], earning a B.S. in [[Finance:Home economics|home economics]] in 1974.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/reveille691974miss|title=Reveille|last=Mississippi State University|date=October 9, 1974|publisher=Mississippi State University|via=Internet Archive}}</ref><ref name=MSU/><ref name="library.msstate.edu">{{cite web|url=http://library.msstate.edu/cprc/blackburn.asp|title=Mississippi State University Libraries: Congressional and Political Research Center: Collections: The Marsha Blackburn Collection|website=Library.msstate.edu|accessdate=2017-02-26}}</ref>

In college, she joined Chi Omega<ref name=CM/><ref name=Baker>Baker, Jackson, [http://www.memphismagazine.com/July-2011/Marsha-Blackburn ''Marsha Blackburn – Beacon of the Right''], ''Memphis Magazine'', July 2011; retrieved December 6, 2013.</ref> and worked as a student manager for Southwestern Advantage, a [[Finance:Multi-level marketing|multi-level marketing]] company, selling educational products door-to-door.<ref name=MSU>[http://library.msstate.edu/cprc/blackburn.asp The Marsha Blackburn Collection web page], Mississippi State University Congressional and Political Research Center; retrieved December 5, 2013.</ref> She is a former beauty-pageant winner.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thehill.com/capital-living/24096-understanding-the-beauty-queen-politician|title=Understanding the beauty-queen politician|first=Ashley|last=Perks|date=September 15, 2008}}</ref>

==Early political career==
Blackburn's professional career began in 1973 when she was hired as a sales manager for the Times Mirror Company. In 1975 she was named Director of Retail Fashion and Special Events of the Castner Knott Division of Mercantile Stores, Inc. She held this position until 1978, when she became the owner of Marketing Strategies, a promotion-event management and image consulting firm. She continues to run this business.<ref name="library.msstate.edu"/>

Blackburn was a founding member of the Williamson County Young Republicans.<ref name=Baker/> She became chair of the Williamson County Republican Party in 1989 and served until 1991.<ref name=Baker/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://media.cq.com/members/6434|title=RollCall.com - Member Profile - Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn.|website=media.cq.com}}</ref> In 1992, she was a candidate for Congress and a delegate to the 1992 Republican National Convention. She lost the congressional race,<ref name=Baker/> but remained active in social and political venues.<ref name=MSU/>

In 1995, Blackburn was appointed executive director of the Tennessee Film, Entertainment, and Music Commission by Tennessee governor Don Sundquist,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/112821722/|title=The Tennessean from Nashville, Tennessee on April 24, 1995 · Page 27}}</ref><ref name=Baker/> and held that post through 1997.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nashvillescene.com/arts-culture/article/13001516/tennessee-gets-a-new-film-commissioner|title=Tennessee gets a new film commissioner}}</ref>  

In 1998, she was elected to the Tennessee Senate, where she served until 2003<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legistorm.com/person/bio/51279/Marsha_Wedgeworth_Blackburn.html|title=Representative Marsha Wedgeworth Blackburn (R-Tennessee, 7th) - Biography|accessdate=2017-02-26}}</ref> and rose to be minority [[Social:Whip (politics)|whip]].<ref name=MSU/> In 2000, she took part in the effort to prevent the passage of a state income tax bill.<ref name=Baker/>

==U.S. House of Representatives==

===Tenure===
[[File:Marsha blackburn.jpg|thumb|Rep. Marsha Blackburn official photo in 2005.]]
In 2002, Republican Ed Bryant gave up his seat as U.S. Representative from Tennessee's 7th District so that he could run for the Senate. Blackburn ran against Democrat Tim Barron for the seat and was elected with 70% of the vote. In 2004, she ran unopposed and was re-elected.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn.|url=http://media.cq.com/members/6434|publisher=Roll Call|accessdate=2 May 2018}}</ref>

In 2006, she successfully ran for a third term in the House of Representatives.<ref name=CM/> In November 2007, she unsuccessfully ran for the position of Republican conference chair.<ref name=goby>{{cite web|url=http://blog.lib.umn.edu/cspg/smartpolitics/2013/06/meet_the_three_house_women_who.php|title=Meet the Three House Women Who Go by "Congressman"|work=Smart Politics|first=Eric|last=Ostermeier|date=June 13, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0408/9622.html|title=The lady prefers 'congressman'|work=Politico|first=Helena|last=Andrews|date=April 15, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://politics.nashvillepost.com/2009/01/07/marsha-blackburn-has-not-yet-decided-on-a-run-for-guv|title=Marsha Blackburn Has Not Yet Decided On A Run For Guv|work=NashvillePost.com|date=January 7, 2009}}</ref>

Blackburn joined Mitt Romney's 2008 presidential campaign as a senior advisor. In May 2007, she resigned her position in the Romney campaign and endorsed former U.S. Senator Fred Thompson for president.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.tennessean.com/politics/2012/blackburn-says-romney-victory-in-tn-wouldnt-surprise-her|title=Blackburn says Romney victory in TN wouldn't surprise her|date=March 6, 2012|author=Elizabeth Bewley|work=The Tennessean}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=TN senators back freeze on special spending|work=The Tennessean|url=http://www.tennessean.com/article/20101116/NEWS02/11160323/2067|author=David Lightman and Chris Echegaray|date=November 16, 2010|page=2}}</ref> She was re-elected in 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, and 2016.

In April 2018, she signed onto a letter formally nominating President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize "in recognition of his work to end the Korean War, denuclearize the Korean peninsula and bring peace to the region."<ref>{{cite news|last1=Collins|first1=Michael|title=Three Tennessee Republicans sign letter formally nominating Donald Trump for Nobel Prize|url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2018/04/30/rep-marsha-blackburn-donald-trump-deserves-nobel-peace-prize-efforts-korea/565018002/|accessdate=3 May 2018|agency=USA Today Network|publisher=The Tennessean|date=April 30, 2018}}</ref>
[[File:Marsha Blackburn Press Conference.jpg|thumb|Marsha Blackburn with Eric Cantor, Mike Pence and Cynthia Lummis at Press Conference]]
'''Committee assignments'''

* Committee on the Budget<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CDIR-2014-02-18/html/CDIR-2014-02-18-HOUSECOMMITTEES.htm|title=Congressional Directory for the 113th Congress (2013-2014), February 2014. -|website=www.gpo.gov|access-date=2018-11-15}}</ref>
* Committee on Education and the Workforce<ref name="H2004">{{Cite web|url=https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CDIR-2004-08-01/html/CDIR-2004-08-01-HOUSECOMMITTEES.htm|title=Congressional Directory for the 108th Congress (2003-2004), August 2004. -|website=www.gpo.gov|access-date=2018-11-15}}</ref>
* Committee on Energy and Commerce<ref name=CM/>
** Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade, vice chair
** Subcommittee on Communications and the Internet, chair<ref name=bio/>
** Subcommittee on Health Care<ref name=CM/>
** Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations,<ref name=CM/> vice chair – Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade
* Committee on Judiciary<ref name="H2004"/>
* Committee on Oversight and Government Reform<ref name="H2004"/>
*Select Investigative Panel on Planned Parenthood, chair<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2015/10/23/boehners-next-select-committee-focusing-on-planned-parenthood-to-be-led-by-marsha-blackburn|title=Boehner's next select committee, focusing on Planned Parenthood, to be led by Marsha Blackburn|author=Paul Kane|date=October 23, 2015|work=Washington Post|accessdate=October 23, 2015}}</ref>

Blackburn served as an assistant whip in Congress from 2003 to 2005, and has served as a deputy whip since 2005.<ref>{{cite web|title=Blackburn to speak at GOP dinner|url=http://www.t-g.com/story/1322013.html|work=Shelbyville Times-Gazette |date=April 1, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://blackburn.house.gov/Biography|title=Biography|work=official U.S. House website|date=2010-03-30}}</ref><ref name=bio/><ref>{{cite web|title=Marsha Blackburn|url=http://cpac.conservative.org/speakers/marsha-blackburn|work=cpac.conservative.org|accessdate=2016-11-16}}</ref>

In 2008, she won her primary race by gaining 62 percent of the vote against Shelby County registrar of deeds, and fellow former state senator Tom Leatherwood.<ref>{{cite news|first=Nicholas|last=Beadle|url=http://www.jacksonsun.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080808/NEWS03/80808001|title=Blackburn beats Leatherwood|work=The Jackson Sun|date=August 8, 2008}}
</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=James|last=L.|url=http://www.swingstateproject.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=2725|title=8/7 Primary Results Round-up|work=Swing Stage Project|date=August 8, 2008}}</ref>

===Political campaigns===
[[File:U.S. Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn speaking at the 2011 Republican Leadership Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana.jpg|thumb|Rep. Marsha Blackburn speaking at the 2011 Republican Leadership Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana]]
Redistricting after the 2000 Census moved Blackburn's home from the 6th district into the 7th district. The 6th District's Democratic [[Social:Incumbent|incumbent]] congressman, Bart Gordon, had faced three tough races in the 1990s, including a near-defeat in 1994, in part due to the growing Republican trend in Nashville's suburbs. This was especially pronounced in Williamson County, the richest county in the state and the most Republican county in Middle Tennessee. It appeared that the Democratic-controlled Tennessee General Assembly wanted to protect Gordon by moving Williamson County into the already heavily Republican 7th District.<ref>{{cite news|title=2011 Redistricting TN|date=2010-01-12|work=TN Precinct Project|url=http://www.tnprecinctproject.com/2010/01/12/2011-redistricting-tn|first=Kent|last=Davis|accessdate=June 3, 2017}}</ref> To maintain approximately equal district sizes (as required by Wesberry v. Sanders) and to compensate for the substantial increase in the 7th's population by the addition of Williamson County, the legislature shifted some of the more Democratic parts of Clarksville to the nearby 8th district. This created a district that, in the words of ''Memphis Magazine'', stretched "in reptilian fashion" for 200 miles from eastern Memphis to southwest Nashville.<ref name="Baker" />

In 2002, 7th District incumbent Republican congressman Ed Bryant decided to run for the Senate seat being vacated by Fred Thompson. Blackburn entered the primary to replace Bryant—the real contest in this Republican stronghold. Of the four main candidates, she was the only one from the Nashville suburbs. The other three, future state senate majority leader Mark Norris, conservative activist and future U.S. Attorney and Representative David Kustoff, and city councilman Brent Taylor, were all from Memphis and its suburbs. She garnered the endorsement of the conservative Club for Growth.<ref>Bianca Phillips, [http://www.memphisflyer.com/JacksonBaker/archives/2002/08/01/final-report-on-tennessee-elections Final Report on Tennessee Elections], ''Memphis Flyer'', August 1, 2002; retrieved March 7, 2016.</ref> The three Memphians split the vote in that area, allowing her to win the primary by nearly 20 percentage points.<ref>[http://www.dcpoliticalreport.com/members/2002/TNResults.htm 2002 Tennessee Congressional and Statewide Primary Results], ''D.C.'s Political Report''; retrieved March 7, 2016.</ref>

In the general election, she defeated Democratic nominee Tim Barron, with 70% of the vote. She was the fourth woman elected to Congress from Tennessee, but the first not to serve as a stand-in for her husband.<ref>[http://www.williamsonherald.com/news/local_news/article_f83e9e08-e226-11e5-a53c-e391dd021950.html "Marsha Blackburn Named 2016 'Woman of the Year'"], ''Williamson Herald'', March 4, 2016.</ref>

She ran unopposed for reelection in 2004, which is somewhat unusual for a freshman member of Congress, even from a district as heavily Republican as the 7th. A 2004 survey of congressional aides by the ''Washingtonian'' identified her as one of the three "best newcomers" in the House of Representatives.<ref>"[http://www.washingtonian.com/2004/09/01/best-worst-of-congress/ Best and Worst of Congress]", Washingtonian.com, September 1, 2004; retrieved March 7, 2016.</ref>

Redistricting after the 2010 census made the 7th district more compact; it lost its shares of Nashville and Memphis while regaining all of Clarksville. However, it is no less Republican than its predecessor; with a Cook Partisan Voting Index of R+18, it is one of the most Republican districts in the South.<ref>"[http://cookpolitical.com/file/2013-04-49.pdf Partisan Voting Index: Districts of the 113th Congress], ''The Cook Political Report''; accessed June 3, 2017.</ref>
[[File:Marsha Blackburn Official.jpg|thumb|Rep. Marsha Blackburn official photo in 2011.]]

==U.S. Senate==
===2018 election===
In October 2017, Tennessee governor Bill Haslam declined to run for the Senate seat being vacated by Bob Corker. Shortly after, Blackburn announced her campaign for the seat. In her announcement, she said that House Republicans were frustrated with Senate Republicans<ref name="FOX">{{cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/10/05/gop-rep-blackburn-announces-senate-run-says-failure-to-repeal-obamacare-disgrace.html|title=GOP Rep. Blackburn announces Senate run, says failure to repeal ObamaCare a 'disgrace'|author=Sarah Smith|date=2017-10-05|work=FOX news}}</ref> who they believe act like Democrats on important issues, including Obamacare.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2017/10/08/analysis-shifting-political-winds-forecast-trouble-tennessee-establishment-republicans/736931001|date=2017-10-08|title=Analysis: shifting political winds forecast trouble Tennessee's establishment Republicans|author=Dave Boucher and Joel Ebert and Jordan Buie|work=The Tennessean}}</ref> In the announcement of her candidacy, Blackburn described herself as a "hard-core, card-carrying Tennessee conservative", said she was "politically incorrect", and noted with pride that liberals have characterized her as a "wing nut".<ref name=":1" /> Blackburn dismissed compromise and bipartisanship, saying "No compromise, no apologies."<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/18/us/politics/tennessee-senate-race-bredesen-blackburn.html|title=In Pro-Trump Tennessee, Democrats Count on a Familiar Face to Flip a Senate Seat|last=Kaplan|first=Thomas|date=2018-04-18|work=The New York Times|access-date=2018-04-18|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> She also said that she carried a gun in her purse.<ref name=":1" /> On August 2, Blackburn received 610,302 votes (84.48%) in the Republican primary, winning her party's nomination.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://elections.tn.gov/results.php?ByOffice=United%20States%20Senate|title=August 2, 2018 Unofficial Election Results|work=Tennessee Secretary of State|accessdate=August 3, 2018}}</ref>

Early on in the campaign, retiring Republican incumbent Bob Corker  said that Blackburn's opponent, Democrat Phil Bredesen, was "a very good mayor, a very good governor, a very good business person," that he had "real appeal" and "crossover appeal," and that the two of them had cooperated well over the years. However, Corker said he would vote for Blackburn and donate to her campaign, and questioned whether Bredesen would be able to win a Senate seat in a red state like Tennessee.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2018/04/18/bob-corker-phil-bredesen-532511|title=Corker says Democrat is ahead in race to succeed him|work=POLITICO|access-date=2018-04-18}}</ref><ref name=":022">{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/razor-thin-senate-majority-bloody-primary-fights-hamstring-gop/2018/04/19/072b674a-43e4-11e8-8569-26fda6b404c7_story.html|title=Razor-thin Senate majority, bloody primary fights hamstring GOP|last=Scherer|first=Michael|date=2018-04-19|work=Washington Post|access-date=2018-04-20|last2=Sullivan|first2=Sean|language=en-US|issn=0190-8286|last3=Dawsey|first3=Josh}}</ref> Following Corker's praise for Bredesen, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell warned Corker that such comments could cost the Republican Party its Senate majority.<ref name=":022" /> Shortly after Corker's comments, President Trump tweeted an endorsement of Blackburn.<ref name=":022" /> Blackburn largely backed President Donald Trump's policies,<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/tennessee-democrats-tap-a-popular-former-governor-for-senate--and-the-gop-braces-for-a-fight-in-trump-country/2018/08/02/0530e95c-9681-11e8-80e1-00e80e1fdf43_story.html|title=GOP gears up to battle popular ex-governor in Senate race in Tenn.; Bill Lee projected to win Republican primary for governor|website=Washington Post|language=en|access-date=2018-08-03}}</ref> including a U.S.-Mexico border wall,<ref name="FOX" /> and shares his opinion regarding National Football League national anthem protests.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2017/09/26/marsha-blackburn-trump-nfl-anthem-protest-colin-kaepernick-alejandro-villanueva/703489001|title=In wake of Trump's NFL comments, Marsha Blackburn files resolution on national anthem etiquette|date=2017-09-26|work=The Tennessean}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2018/04/23/vice-president-mike-pence-endorses-marsha-blackburns-bid-senate/542407002/|title=Vice President Mike Pence endorses Marsha Blackburn's bid for Senate|website=The Tennessean|access-date=May 13, 2018}}</ref> Vice President Mike Pence also endorsed Blackburn a few days later on April 23, 2018. During the campaign, Blackburn pledged to support President Trump's agenda and suggested that her opponent, Bredesen, would not, asking, "Do you think Phil Bredesen would vote with crying Chuck Schumer or would he vote with our president when it comes to support our troops and supporting our veterans?"<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://eu.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/tn-elections/2018/06/08/marsha-blackburn-attacks-phil-bredesen-gop-fundraiser-senate/687074002/|title=Marsha Blackburn attacks Phil Bredesen at GOP fundraiser|work=The Tennessean|access-date=2018-06-09|language=en}}</ref>

Blackburn and Bredesen disclosed in mid-April 2018 that they had each raised close to $2 million during the first quarter of the year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nashvillepost.com/politics/elections/campaign-finance/article/21001099/bredesen-blackburn-raise-close-to-2m|title=Bredesen, Blackburn raise close to $2M|website=nashvillepost.com|access-date=May 13, 2018}}</ref>

In October 2018, pop star Taylor Swift endorsed Bredesen. The endorsement was notable given that Swift had been publicly apolitical, but spoke out because Blackburn's "voting record in Congress appall[ed] and terrifie[d]" her. Swift shared a link to non-partisan voter registration website Vote.org which saw a significant spike in page views and new registrations. Swift's endorsement was criticized by Donald Trump as well as [[Biography:Mike Huckabee|Mike Huckabee]], who said, "[She] has every right to be political but it won't impact [the] election unless we allow 13 yr old girls to vote".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/claudiarosenbaum/taylor-swift-voter-registration-spike|title=Taylor Swift's Instagram Post Has Caused A Massive Spike In Voter Registration|work=BuzzFeed News|access-date=2018-10-09|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://eu.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/2018/10/08/taylor-swift-political-phil-bredesen-endorsement-over-marsha-blackburn-draws-ire-praise/1563331002/|title=Shake it off: Taylor Swift's political endorsement draws praise, backlash|work=The Tennessean|access-date=2018-10-09|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/taylor-swift-mike-huckabee-endorsement_us_5bbbb081e4b028e1fe404297|title=Mike Huckabee Dismisses Taylor Swift's Political Endorsement Because '13-Year-Old Girls' Can't Vote|first=Kelly|last=Chen|date=8 October 2018|via=Huff Post}}</ref>

For most of the campaign, polls showed the two candidates nearly tied. However, following the Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court confirmation hearings, Blackburn pulled ahead of Bredesen. The hearings are believed by some to have mobilized Republican voters <ref>{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/415276-blackburn-keeps-tennessee-seat-in-gop-hands|title=Blackburn keeps Tennessee seat in GOP hands|work=thehill.com|last=Bolton|first=Alexander|date=November 6, 2018|access-date=November 7, 2018}}</ref>, even if Democrats had also won the House by the largest margin in a midterm elections in a generation, by more than 9 million votes nationally. Blackburn won the election on November 6, 2018, taking 54.7 percent of the vote to Bredesen's 43.9 percent. She carried all but three counties in the state (Davidson, Shelby and Haywood).<ref>[https://www.cnn.com/election/2018/results/tennessee/senate Tennessee Senate results] from CNN</ref>

===Tenure===
[[File:William Barr and Marsha Blackburn.jpg|thumb|Marsha Blackburn with William Barr in 2019.]]
Blackburn assumed office and was sworn in on January 3, 2019.

In November 2019, #MoscowMarcia started trending on Twitter after Blackburn tweeted a conspiratorial smear against Lt. Col Alexander Vindman on her official twitter account.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/health/2019/11/22/marsha-blackburn-tweets-vindictive-vindman-so-now-moscowmarsha-is-trending/4274561002/|title=Sen. Marsha Blackburn tweets 'Vindictive Vindman,' then #MoscowMarsha starts trending|last=Kelman|first=Brett|website=The Tennessean|language=en|access-date=2019-11-23}}</ref> In her post, she wrote "Vindictive Vindman is the “whistleblower’s” handler".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/MarshaBlackburn/status/1197875810256007170?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1197875810256007170&ref_url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/health/2019/11/22/marsha-blackburn-tweets-vindictive-vindman-so-now-moscowmarsha-is-trending/4274561002/|title=Vindictive Vindman is the "whistleblower's" handler.|last=Blackburn|first=Sen Marsha|date=2019-11-22|website=@MarshaBlackburn|language=en|access-date=2019-11-23}}</ref> The tweet was in reference to Lt. Col. Vindman, a decorated Army official and purple heart veteran, who became a central figure in President Trump's impeachment proceedings in Congress after testifying he heard Trump pressure the president of Ukraine to investigate the son of one of his chief political rivals, former Vice President Joe Biden.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theweek.com/speedreads/880591/gop-congressmembers-blamed-ukraine-election-hacking-russias-been-trying-make-that-happen-years|title=GOP congressmembers blamed Ukraine for election hacking. Russia's been trying to make that happen for years.|date=2019-11-22|website=theweek.com|language=en|access-date=2019-11-23}}</ref>

===Committee assignments<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.senate.gov/senators/116thCongress/BlackburnMarsha.htm|title=U.S. Senate: U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn|website=www.senate.gov|access-date=2019-01-04}}</ref>===

*Committee on Armed Services
*Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
*Committee on the Judiciary
*Committee on Veterans' Affairs

==Electoral history==
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em ; font-size:95%"
|+ {{ushr|Tennessee|6|}}: 1992 results<ref name="clerkresults">{{cite web|url=http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/index.html |title=Election Statistics |accessdate=2008-01-10 |publisher=Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080730201058/http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/index.html |archivedate=2008-07-30 }}</ref>
! Year
!
! Democratic
! Votes
! Pct
!
! Republican
! Votes
! Pct
!
! 3rd Party
! Party
! Votes
! Pct
!
|-
|1992
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |'''Bart Gordon'''
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |120,177
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |57%
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |Marsha Blackburn
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |86,289
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |41%
|
|{{Party shading/Independent}} |H. Scott Benson
|{{Party shading/Independent}} |Independent
|{{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |5,952
|{{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |3%
| |'''*'''
|}

{{refbegin}}
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Write-in and minor candidate notes: In 1992, write-ins received 10 votes.
{{refend}}

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em ; font-size:95%"
|+ {{ushr|Tennessee|7|}}: Results 2002–2016<ref name="clerkresults"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Elections/Tennessee|title=2014 Midterm Election Results &#124; Congressional, Senate, House & Gubernatorial|website=Abcnews.go.com|accessdate=2017-02-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://share.tn.gov/sos/election/results/20141104_CountyTotals_01.pdf|title=State of Tennessee: State General: November 4, 2014|website=Share.tn.gov|accessdate=2017-02-26}}</ref>
! Year
!
! Democratic
! Votes
! Pct
!
! Republican
! Votes
! Pct
!
! 3rd Party
! Party
! Votes
! Pct
!
|-
|2002
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Tim Barron
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |51,790
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |26%
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |{{nowrap|'''Marsha Blackburn'''}}
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |138,314
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |71%
|
|{{Party shading/Independent}} |Rick Patterson
|{{Party shading/Independent}} |Independent
|{{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |5,423
|{{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |3%
| |'''*'''
|-
|2004
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |''(no candidate)''
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |'''Marsha Blackburn'''
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |232,404
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |100%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|2006
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Bill Morrison
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |73,369
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |32%
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |'''Marsha Blackburn'''
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |152,288
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |66%
|
|{{Party shading/Independent}} |Kathleen A. Culver
|{{Party shading/Independent}} |Independent
|{{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |1,806
|{{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |1%
| |'''*'''
|-
|2008
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Randy Morris
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |98,207
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |31%
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |'''Marsha Blackburn'''
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |214,214
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |69%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|2010
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Greg Rabidoux
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |54,341
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |25%
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |'''Marsha Blackburn'''
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |158,892
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |72%
|
|{{Party shading/Independent}} |J.W. Stone
|{{Party shading/Independent}} |Independent
|{{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |6,319
|{{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |3%
| |'''*'''
|-
|2012
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Credo Amouzouvik
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |61,050
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |24%
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |'''Marsha Blackburn'''
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |180,775
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |71%
|
|{{Party shading/Independent}} |Howard Switzer
|{{Party shading/Independent}} |Green
|{{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |4,584
|{{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |2%
| |'''*'''
|-
|2014
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Daniel Cramer
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |42,280
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |26.8%
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |'''Marsha Blackburn'''
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |110,534
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |69.9%
|
|{{Party shading/Independent}} |Leonard Ladner
|{{Party shading/Independent}} |Independent
|{{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |5,093
|{{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |3.2%
|
|-
|2016
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Tharon Chandler
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |65,226
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |23.5%
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |'''Marsha Blackburn'''
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |200,407
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |72.2%
|
|{{Party shading/Independent}} |Leonard Ladner
|{{Party shading/Independent}} |Independent
|{{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |11,880
|{{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |4.3%
|
|}

{{refbegin}}<nowiki>*</nowiki>Write-in and minor candidate notes:  In 2002, write-ins received 31 votes.  In 2006, James B. "Mickey" White received 898 votes; William J. Smith received 848 votes; John L. Rimer received 710 votes; and Gayl G. Pratt received 663 votes.
{{refend}}

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em ; font-size:95%"
|+ United States Senate: 2018 results<ref>{{cite web|title=November 6, 2018 Unofficial Election Results|url=https://elections.tn.gov/results.php?ByOffice=United%20States%20Senate|publisher=Tennessee Secretary of State|accessdate=November 9, 2018}}</ref>
! Year
!
! Republican
! Votes
! Pct
!
! Democratic
! Votes
! Pct
!
! 3rd Party
! Party
! Votes
! Pct
!
|-
|2018
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |'''Marsha Blackburn'''
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |1,227,483
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |54.71%
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Phil Bredesen
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |985,450
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |43.92%
|
|{{Party shading/Independent}} |''Other candidates''
|{{Party shading/Independent}} |Independent
|{{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |30,807
|{{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |1.37%
| |
|}

==Political positions==
[[File:Marsha Blackburn by Gage Skidmore.jpg|right|thumb|Marsha Blackburn speaking at the 2015 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in National Harbor, Maryland on February 26, 2015]]
Blackburn is a [[Social:Tea Party movement|Tea Party]] Republican.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2017/10/05/555911040/marsha-blackburn-politically-incorrect-and-proud-of-it-runs-for-senate-in-tenn|title=Marsha Blackburn, 'Politically Incorrect And Proud Of It,' Runs For Senate In Tenn.|work=NPR.org|access-date=2018-09-06|language=en}}</ref> She has been described as staunchly conservative,<ref name=":1"/><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2018/08/03/Tennessee-a-major-target-for-Democrats-in-midterm-election-battle/6881533293318/|title=Tennessee a major target for Democrats in midterm election battle|work=UPI|access-date=2018-09-06|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/12/13/16770972/doug-jones-senate-2018-elections|title=After Doug Jones's win, here's what Democrats need to do to retake the Senate in 2018|work=Vox|access-date=2018-09-06}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/in-deep-red-tennessee-republicans-are-anxious-about-the-us-senate-race/2018/10/04/de13d5a6-c57d-11e8-b2b5-79270f9cce17_story.html|title=In deep-red Tennessee, Republicans are anxious about the U.S. Senate race|website=Washington Post|language=en|access-date=2018-10-11}}</ref> and describes herself as "a hard-core, card-carrying Tennessee conservative."<ref name=":5">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/03/us/politics/tennessee-governor-blackburn-bredesen.html|title=In Tennessee Senate Race, Financial Missteps Linger in the Background|access-date=2018-10-11|language=en}}</ref> She scored 100% on American Conservative Union's 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009 Ratings of Congress.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.acuratings.org/2005all.htm#TN|title=2005 Votes by State Delegation|work=ACU Ratings|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090706024543/http://www.acuratings.org/2005all.htm|archivedate=July 6, 2009|url-status=dead|accessdate=2010-03-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.acuratings.org/2007all.htm#TN|title=2007 Votes by State Delegation|work=ACU Ratings|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100115031339/http://www.acuratings.org/2007all.htm|archivedate=January 15, 2010|url-status=dead|accessdate=2010-03-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://67.20.95.56/ratings/ratingsarchive/2009/House%20Ratings.htm|title=2009 Votes by State Delegation|work=ACU Ratings|accessdate=2010-03-14}}</ref>

===Abortion and stem cell research===
Blackburn opposes [[Medicine:Abortion|abortion]].<ref name=":1" /> In 2013, Blackburn was chosen to manage debate on a bill promoted by House Republicans that would have prohibited abortions after 22 weeks' gestation, with limited exceptions for rape or incest.<ref name="nyt-abortion">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/18/us/politics/undaunted-by-2012-elections-republicans-embrace-anti-abortion-agenda.html|title=G.O.P. Pushes New Abortion Limits to Appease Vocal Base|last=Peters|first=Jeremy|date=June 17, 2013|newspaper={{wipe|The New York Times}}}}</ref> She replaced the bill's prior sponsor, U.S. Representative Trent Franks (R-AZ), after Franks made controversial and dubious statements.<ref name="bloomberg-abortion">{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-06-13/republicans-pick-female-lawmaker-to-manage-abortion-bill.html|title=Republicans Pick Female Lawmaker to Manage Abortion Bill|last=Tiron|first=Roxana|date=June 13, 2013|publisher=Bloomberg News|author2=James Rowley}}</ref><ref name="franks">{{cite news|url=http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2013/06/rep-trent-franks-claims-very-low-pregnancy-rate-from-rape|title=Rep. Trent Franks Claims 'Very Low' Pregnancy Rate From Rape|last=Parkinson|first=John|date=June 12, 2013|publisher=ABC News}}</ref> In 2015, Blackburn led a panel that investigated the Planned Parenthood undercover video controversy - where anti-abortion activists published a video which purported to show that Planned Parenthood illicitly sold fetal tissue. Subsequent investigations into Planned Parenthood found no evidence of fetal tissue sales or of wrongdoing.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/10/10/twitter-calls-foul-on-rep-marsha-blackburn-ad-due-to-baby-body-parts-comment/|title=Twitter calls foul on Rep. Marsha Blackburn ad because of 'baby body parts' comment|website=Washington Post|language=en|access-date=2018-09-06}}</ref> Later, in 2017, when Blackburn announced that she was running in the 2018 Tennessee senatorial race, she ran an advertisement saying that she "fought Planned Parenthood and we stopped the sale of baby body parts".<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.vox.com/identities/2017/10/10/16449920/marsha-blackburn-twitter-ban|title=Twitter's ban on Marsha Blackburn's ad mentioning "baby body parts," explained|work=Vox|access-date=2018-09-06}}</ref> Twitter banned the advertisement on its platform because of her assertion about the sale of baby body parts.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news|url=https://apnews.com/0d8828bd7d204b40af61172628d0a7f6|title=Twitter shuts down Blackburn campaign announcement video|work=AP News|access-date=2018-09-06|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":5" /> In 2015, Blackburn claimed that 94% of Planned Parenthood's business revolves around abortion services; FactCheck.Org noted that abortions account for 3% of the total services provided by Planned Parenthood in 2013 and that most of Planned Parenthood's work is dedicated to treatment for sexually transmitted diseases, contraception, pregnancy tests, prenatal services and cancer screenings.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.factcheck.org/2015/09/planned-parenthoods-services/|title=Planned Parenthood's Services - FactCheck.org|date=2015-09-04|work=FactCheck.org|access-date=2018-09-06|language=en-US}}</ref>

In March 2016, Blackburn chaired the Republican-led Select Investigative Panel, a committee convened to "explore the ethical implications of using fetal tissue in biomedical research".<ref name="select-investigative-panel">{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2016/03/02/house-fetal-tissue-research|title=In first hearing, GOP panel casts doubt on fetal tissue research|author=DeBonis, Mike|date=March 2, 2016}}</ref> Democrats on the panel characterized the probe as a politically motivated witch hunt, and objected to subpoenas demanding "names of researchers, technicians and medical personnel involved in fetal tissue handling".<ref name="select-investigative-panel" /> Subpoenaed biotechnology executives Eugene Gu of the Ganogen Research Institute and Cate Dyer of StemExpress argued in an article in ''Nature'' that the panel was intimidating researchers and patients.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Gu|first1=E.|last2=Dyer|first2=C.|title=Fetal tissue: US panel risks infant and researcher lives|journal=Nature|volume=535|issue=7610|page=37|doi=10.1038/535037c|pmid=27383974|year=2016}}</ref> Gu went on Science Friday on NPR and detailed his experiences living in close proximity to Blackburn's Congressional district and having United States Marshals deliver the subpoena to his home.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/whats-in-a-subpoena|title=Science in the Crosshairs|publisher=Science Friday|accessdate=2017-02-26}}</ref> The Republican majority on the panel released a report concluding that fetal tissue "makes a vanishingly small contribution to clinical and research efforts, if it contributes at all"; scientists on the other hand widely hold that fetal tissue research is valuable for science and medicine.<ref name=":4" /> A fact-check by ''Science'' magazine identified a number of falsehoods in the panel's report.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2017/01/fact-checking-congress-s-fetal-tissue-report|title=Fact-checking Congress's fetal tissue report|date=2017-01-05|work=Science {{!}} AAAS|access-date=2018-09-06|language=en}}</ref>

===Birther bill===
In 2009, Blackburn sponsored legislation requiring presidential candidates to show their birth certificates. The bill was in response to so-called Birther conspiracy theories that falsely alleged that President Barack Obama was not born in the United States. Asked why she supported such a bill, Blackburn's spokesperson said that Blackburn did not doubt that Obama was an American citizen. The spokesperson inaccurately suggested that Obama had not provided any documents to prove he was a natural-born citizen.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/blogs/ben-smith/2009/07/blackburn-does-not-doubt-obamas-citizenship-019619|title=Blackburn 'does not doubt' Obama's citizenship|work=POLITICO|access-date=2018-10-08|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.salon.com/2009/07/28/birther_enablers/|title=The Birthers in Congress|date=2009-07-28|work=Salon|access-date=2018-10-08|language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Evolution ===
Blackburn rejects the theory of evolution.<ref name="science-environment-343428082">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-34342808|title=Ignore Pope on climate, says Republican Marsha Blackburn|author=Harrabin, Roger|date=September 23, 2015}}</ref>

===Health care and pharmaceuticals===
Blackburn opposed the [[Finance:Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act|Affordable Care Act (Obamacare)]], stating, with the passage of the bill, "freedom dies a little bit today."<ref name=":1"/><ref name="nyt-healthcare">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/23/us/politics/23repubs.html|title=Republicans Face Drawbacks of United Stand on Health Bill|last=Nagourney|first=Adam|date=March 22, 2010|newspaper={{wipe|The New York Times}}}}</ref> She subsequently supported efforts to repeal the legislation, arguing that it "means well" but fails to live up to its promise.<ref name="nyt-debate">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/20/us/politics/20civil.html|title=Approaching Civility (if Perhaps Falling Short of Eloquence) in Debate|last=Steinhauer|first=Jennifer|date=January 19, 2011|newspaper={{wipe|The New York Times}}}}</ref> In 2017, while arguing for the repeal of the Affordable Care Act, Blackburn falsely stated that two popular provisions of the Affordable Care Act (protections for individual with preexisting conditions and the provision allowing adult children to be on their parents' health plans until they're 26) "were two Republican provisions which made it into the [Obamacare] bill."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2017/02/28/marsha-blackburns-false-claim-that-two-key-obamacare-elements-are-republican-provisions/|title=Analysis {{!}} Rep. Marsha Blackburn's false claim that two key Obamacare elements are 'Republican provisions'|last=Kessler|first=Glenn|date=2017-02-28|work=Washington Post|access-date=2018-06-09|language=en-US|issn=0190-8286}}</ref> In her declaration that she would run for the Senate in 2018, she said that the failure to repeal the Affordable Care Act was "a disgrace".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/10/5/16430792/marsha-blackburn-senate-candidate-corker|title=Republican Senate candidate announces her bid by trashing the Republican Senate|work=Vox|access-date=2017-10-06}}</ref>

At October 2013 congressional hearings on the Affordable Care Act, Blackburn charged the health.gov website violated [[Medicine:Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act|HIPAA]] and health information privacy rights. The next day, when a CNN interviewer pointed out that the only health-related question that the web site asks is "do you smoke?," Blackburn repeated her criticism of the site for violating privacy rights.<ref>Cavendish, Steve [http://www.nashvillescene.com/pitw/archives/2013/10/25/this-is-what-happens-when-marsha-blackburn-cant-answer-a-simple-question ''This Is What Happens When Marsha Blackburn Can't Answer A Simple Question''], ''Nashville Scene'', October 25, 2013; retrieved December 5, 2013.</ref>

According to ''The New York Times'', Blackburn's best known legislation was her co-sponsorship of a bill which revised the legal standard that the [[Organization:Drug Enforcement Agency|Drug Enforcement Agency]] (DEA) had used to establish that "a significant and present risk of death or serious bodily harm that is more likely than not to occur," rather than the previous tougher standard of "imminent danger," before suspending the manufactuere's opioid drug shipments.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2017/investigations/dea-drug-industry-congress|title=How Congress allied with drug company lobbyists to derail the DEA's war on opioids|website=Washington Post|access-date=2017-10-16}}</ref><ref name=":5" /> The legislation passed the House and the Senate unanimously but was criticized in internal Justice Department documents, and by the DEA's chief administrative law judge, as hampering DEA enforcement actions against drug distribution companies engaging in black-market sales.<ref name=":0" /> Joe Rannazzisi, who had led the Drug Enforcement Agency's Office of Diversion Control, said he informed Blackburn's staffers precisely what the effects would be as a result of passage of a 2016 law she co-sponsored, as national awareness of a crisis in the prescriptions of opioids in the United States sharpened. Blackburn admitted that her bill had unforeseen “unintended consequences,” but Rannazzisi said they should have been anticipated. He said that during a July 2014 conference call he informed congressional staffers the bill would cause more difficulties for the DEA if it pursued corporations which were illegally distributing such drugs.<ref name=DEA>[https://www.apnews.com/c597ffffadbd4b7baf7d1c79e453617c Ex-DEA official says Blackburn had warning on opioid law], Jonathan Mattise, October 26, 2018. Retrieved August 14, 2019.</ref> Blackburn and Representative Tom Marino, the main co-sponsor of her House bill, sent a letter requesting an Office of Inspector General investigation regarding Rannazzisi, saying he tried to intimidate Congress in the July conversation. Rannazzisi said in August 2015, he was removed from his DEA position.<ref name=DEA/>

===Climate change===
Blackburn rejects the [[Earth:Scientific opinion on climate change|scientific consensus on climate change]]. In a February 16, 2014 televised debate on NBC's ''Meet the Press'' with science-educator [[Biography:Bill Nye|Bill Nye]], Blackburn disputed the science and urgency of the issue, asserting that there is "not consensus" in the scientific community, and that climate change remains "unproven".<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/bill-nye-marsha-blackburn-climate-change-debate-meet-the-press-2014-2?IR=T|title=Bill Nye 'The Science Guy' Debated A GOP Congresswoman On Climate Change, And It Was Surreal|work=Business Insider|access-date=2018-05-05}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/science-guy-bill-nye-debates-lawmaker-climate-change-n31586|title='Science Guy' Bill Nye Debates Lawmaker on Climate Change|work=NBC News|access-date=2018-05-05|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://time.com/7975/bill-nye-global-warming-marsha-blackburn/|title=Bill Nye Scolds GOP Congresswoman on Global Warming|website=Time|language=en|access-date=2018-05-05}}</ref><ref name=transcript>{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/ncna31691|title=MEET THE PRESS TRANSCRIPT: Feb. 16, 2014|author=<!--Not stated--> |date=February 16, 2014|website= |publisher=NBC|access-date=2018-12-26|quote=}}</ref> In the debate she also incorrectly cited the works of [[Biography:Richard Lindzen|Richard Lindzen]] and Judith Curry as denial of the science of climate change.<ref name=transcript/> She said in 2015 "The jury is still out saying man is the cause for global warming, after the earth started to cool 13 years ago."<ref name="science-environment-34342808">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-34342808|title=Pope unlikely to sway top US critics on climate|author=Harrabin, Roger|date=September 23, 2015|publisher=BBC News}}</ref>

In April 2009, an exchange between Blackburn and former Vice President [[Biography:Al Gore|Al Gore]] received significant publicity. During a congressional hearing on energy policy, Blackburn asked Gore, "The legislation that we are discussing here today, is that something that you are going to personally benefit from?"<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/environment/climatechange/6496196/Al-Gore-profiting-from-climate-change-agenda.html|title=Al Gore 'profiting' from climate change agenda|last=Allen|first=Nick|date=November 3, 2009|work=The Daily Telegraph}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/al-gore-denies-he-is-carbon-billionaire-1814199.html|title=Al Gore denies he is 'carbon billionaire'|last=Usborne|first=David|date=November 4, 2009|work=The Independent}}</ref> Gore indicated in response that all income he earned from renewable technology investment went to non-profits.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/04/27/gore-to-blackburn-you-dont-know-me|title=Gore to Blackburn: 'You Don't Know Me'|last=Ensha|first=Azadeh|date=April 27, 2009|newspaper={{wipe|The New York Times}}}}</ref>

Blackburn appears in ''Koch Brothers Exposed'', a 2012 documentary about the political activities of the Koch brothers, major fossil fuel interests, and is listed as a top recipient of campaign contributions.

===Telecommunications===
Blackburn opposes net neutrality in the United States, referring to it as "socialistic".<ref name=":1"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/why-marsha-blackburns-rise-is-bad-news-for-net-neutrality-and-science|title=Why Marsha Blackburn's Rise Is Bad News for Net Neutrality and Science|author=Sam Gustin|work=Motherboard|publisher=[[Company:Vice Media|Vice Media]]|quote=Blackburn has waged a relentless campaign against the FCC's policy safeguarding net neutrality, the principle that all internet content should be equally accessible, which she has disparaged as "socialistic."}}</ref> Blackburn opposes municipal broadband initiatives that aim to compete with Internet service providers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/business/2015/03/republicans-internet-freedom-act-would-wipe-out-net-neutrality|title=Republicans' "Internet Freedom Act" would wipe out net neutrality|last1=Brodkin|first1=Jon|website=Arstechnica.com|accessdate=2017-02-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/business/2014/07/congresswoman-defends-states-rights-to-protect-isps-from-muni-competition|title=Congresswoman defends "states' rights" to protect ISPs from muni competition|last1=Brodkin|first1=Jon|website=Ars Technica|accessdate=2017-02-26}}</ref> She supported bills that restrict municipalities from creating their own broadband networks, and wrote a bill to prevent the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from preempting state laws that blocked municipal broadband.<ref>Eggerton, John (July 16, 2014) [http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/washington/blackburn-bill-would-block-fcc-preemption/132468 "Blackburn Bill Would Block FCC Preemption"], ''Broadcasting & Cable''; retrieved December 30, 2015.</ref><ref>Sirota, David (July 16, 2014) [http://www.ibtimes.com/marsha-blackburn-r-tn-why-one-congresswoman-wants-block-fast-cheap-internet-her-1630060 "Marsha Blackburn (R-TN): Why One Congresswoman Wants To Block Fast, Cheap Internet In Her District"], ''International Business Times''; retrieved December 30, 2015.</ref>

In early 2017, Blackburn introduced to the House a measure to dismantle an Obama-administration online privacy rule that had been adopted by the FCC in October 2016.<ref name="KangBlackburn">Cecilia Kang, [https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/28/technology/congress-votes-to-overturn-obama-era-online-privacy-rules.html Congress Moves to Overturn Obama-Era Online Privacy Rules], ''New York Times'' (March 28, 2017).</ref> Blackburn's measure, which was supported by broadband providers but criticized by privacy advocates, repealed the rule which required broadband providers to obtain consumers' permission before sharing their online data, including browsing histories.<ref name="KangBlackburn" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vocativ.com/415597/house-vote-internet-providers-sell-browsing-history|title=House Votes To Let Internet Providers Sell Your Browsing History|date=2017-03-28|website=Vocativ.com|accessdate=2017-03-28}}</ref> The measure passed the House in a party-line vote in March 2017, after a similar measure had been passed by the Senate the same week.<ref name="KangBlackburn" /> She subsequently proposed legislation which expanded the requirement to include internet companies as well as broadband providers.<ref>Ali Breland, [http://thehill.com/policy/technology/334314-house-republican-unveils-new-internet-privacy-bill House Republican unveils internet privacy bill], ''The Hill'', May 19, 2017.</ref>

As of 2017, Blackburn had accepted at least $693,000 in campaign contributions from telecom companies over her career in Congress.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vocativ.com/415350/house-rep-pushing-to-set-back-online-privacy-rakes-in-industry-funds/|title=House Rep. Pushing To Set Back Online Privacy Rakes In Industry Funds|date=2017-03-28|website=Vocativ.com|accessdate=2017-03-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/meet-marsha-blackburn-big-telecoms-best-friend-in-congress|title=Meet Marsha Blackburn, Big Telecom's Best Friend in Congress|author=Sam Gustin|work=Motherboard|publisher=[[Company:Vice Media|Vice Media]]|quote=Blackburn has also been a major recipient of financial support from the nation's largest telecom and cable companies.}}</ref>

===LGBT rights===
In 2010, Blackburn voted against repealing the military's Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://projects.propublica.org/represent/votes/111/house/2/638|title=House Vote 638 - Repeals 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'|publisher=ProPublica|accessdate=2017-10-25}}</ref>

In 2013, Blackburn voted in favor of the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act in the House,<ref>{{cite web|last1=Reynard|first1=Mike|title=Press Release: Blackburn Statement on House Reauthorization of Violence Against Women Act|url=https://blackburn.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=295739|website=blackburn.house.gov|accessdate=28 January 2018}}</ref> but voted against the Senate's version of the Act, which expanded VAWA to apply to people regardless of sexual orientation.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|url=http://www.ontheissues.org/Domestic/Marsha_Blackburn_Civil_Rights.htm|title=Marsha Blackburn on Civil Rights|website=www.ontheissues.org|access-date=2018-10-17}}</ref> Blackburn argued that increasing the number of targets for VAWA funding would "dilute the money that needs to go into the sexual assault centers, domestic abuse centers, [and] child advocacy centers,"<ref name="MSNBC VAWA Interview">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=DAtbkjv2KH0|title=Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) opposed VAWA because it helped too many "different groups"|publisher=MSNBC|accessdate=28 January 2018|date=4 March 2013}}</ref> and said VAWA ought to remain focused on supporting women's shelters and facilitating law enforcement against crimes against women, rather than addressing other groups or issues.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.advocate.com/politics/2013/03/05/congresswoman-votes-against-vawa-because-lgbt-inclusiveness|title=Congresswoman Votes Against VAWA Because of LGBT Inclusiveness|publisher=The Advocate|accessdate=2017-10-25|quote=I didn't like the way it was expanded to include other different groups...What you need is something that is focused specifically to help the shelters and to help out law enforcement who is trying to work with the crimes that have been committed against women and helping them to stand up}}</ref> 

Blackburn opposes same-sex marriage.<ref name=":1"/><ref>{{cite news|last1=Boucher|first1=Dave|title=Gay marriage: Tennessee reacts to landmark decision|url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2015/06/26/reaction-supreme-court-gay-marriage-case/29271663/|accessdate=2 May 2018|publisher=The Tennessean|date=June 26, 2015}}</ref> Blackburn said that the Supreme Court's 2015 decision in ''Obergefell v. Hodges'' was "a disappointment. I have always supported traditional marriage. Despite this decision, no one can overrule the truth about what marriage actually is -- a sacred institution between a man and a woman."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blackburn.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397760|title=Blackburn Statement on SCOTUS Marriage Ruling|publisher=House.gov|accessdate=2017-10-25|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150628215902/https://blackburn.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397760|archivedate=June 28, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> 

Blackburn voted against the Employment Non-Discrimination Act to ban discrimination against LGBT employees, has a 0% rating from the Human Rights Campaign (a [[Social:Political action committee|PAC]] which supports gay rights and same-sex marriage) and voted for a proposed constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage.<ref name=":6" />

In August 2019, Blackburn co-signed an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court arguing that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 does not prohibit employment discrimination based upon sexual orientation or gender identity.<ref>{{cite news |last=Caplan  |first=Andrew |date=Aug 28, 2019  |title=Yoho joins GOP call to allow LGBTQ discrimination |url=https://www.gainesville.com/news/20190828/yoho-joins-gop-call-to-allow-lgbtq-discrimination |newspaper=Gainesville Sun |location=Gainesville, FL |access-date=2019-09-04}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/18/18-107/113569/20190826112615797_17-1618%20-1623%2018-107%20Amici%20BOM%20Members%20of%20Congress.pdf|title=BRIEF OF AMICI CURIAE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS IN SUPPORT OF EMPLOYERS|publisher=supremecourt.gov|accessdate=2019-09-03}}</ref>

=== Donald Trump ===
[[File:Marsha Blackburn and Donald Trump waving at Nashville Rally 2.png|thumb|Blackburn with Donald Trump at a Trump rally in Nashville in 2018.]]
In November 2016, Blackburn joined Donald Trump's presidential transition team as vice chair.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2016/11/11/mike-pence-takes-over-trump-transition-from-chris-christie|title=Mike Pence takes over Trump transition from Chris Christie|last=Halper|first=Daniel|date=2016-11-11|website=Nypost.com|accessdate=2017-02-26}}</ref> Blackburn is a staunch supporter of President Trump, and has backed most of his policies and proposals.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":5" /> She nominated him for a Nobel Peace Prize for his negotiations with North Korea.<ref name=":5" /> ''Vox'' speculated that Blackburn's ties to Trump, who won Tennessee in the 2016 election by 26 points, helped boost her 2018 U.S. Senate candidacy.<ref name=vox>{{cite news |last1=Lhou |first1=Li |title=Marsha Blackburn is Tennessee's first woman senator |url=https://www.vox.com/2018/11/6/18049520/midterm-election-results-tennessee-senate-marsha-blackburn-winner |accessdate=29 November 2018 |publisher=VOX |date=November 7, 2018}}</ref>

=== Immigration ===
She supported President Donald Trump's 2017 executive order imposing a temporary travel and immigration ban barring the nationals of seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the U.S.<ref name="Blake1">{{cite web|url=http://www.denverpost.com/2017/01/29/republicans-on-trump-travel-ban|title=Coffman, Gardner join Republicans against President Trump's travel ban; here's where the rest stand|last1=Blake|first1=Aaron|website=Denver Post|accessdate=January 30, 2017}}</ref>

Blackburn has expressed support on multiple occasions of President Trump's immigration policy, especially his plan to construct a wall on the United States-Mexico Border.<ref>{{cite news|last=Stockard|first=Sam|date=October 12, 2018|title=Blackburn would spend $70B on border wall; Bredesen says he'd put money into technology|url=https://www.dailymemphian.com/article/594/Blackburn-would-spend-70B-on-border-wall-Bredesen-says-hed-put-money-into-technology|work=The Daily Memphian|location=Memphis, Tennessee|access-date=2018-12-26}}</ref>

===Second Amendment===
Following the 2018 Thousand Oaks shooting on the evening of November 7, 2018, which resulted in 12 deaths, Blackburn responded to a question about the shooting in a Fox News interview with Sandra Smith by saying "how do we make certain that we protect the Second Amendment and protect our citizens? We've always done that in this country. Mental health issues need to be addressed."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.vox.com/2018/11/8/18076084/thousand-oaks-borderline-shooting-marsha-blackburn-fox-news-nra-mental-health|title=Marsha Blackburn is an NRA favorite. Her comments about the Thousand Oaks shooting show why.|work=Vox|access-date=2018-11-15}}</ref>

=== Women's rights ===
In 2009, Blackburn voted against the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and the Paycheck Fairness Act.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/06/09/the-fringe-factor-women-don-t-want-equal-pay-laws|title=The Fringe Factor: Women Don't Want Equal Pay Laws|last=Dickson|first=Caitlin|date=2013-06-09|work=The Daily Beast|access-date=2018-05-09|language=en}}</ref>

==Personal life==
[[File:Rep. Marsha Blackburn (1393180946).jpg|thumb|]]
Blackburn is married to Chuck Blackburn,<ref name=Baker/> and they live in Brentwood, a suburb of Nashville in Williamson County.<ref name=bio>{{cite web|title=Marsha Blackburn Congress|url=http://blackburn.house.gov/biography|website=Marsha Blackburn Biography|accessdate=2016-11-16}}</ref> The couple have two children.<ref name=Baker/> Her husband is the founder of the International Bow Tie Society (IBTS). She is a Presbyterian.<ref name=CM>Barnette, Amy, [http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2010/jun/30/marsha-blackburn----7th-congressional-district ''Marsha Blackburn – 7th Congressional District''], ''The Commercial Appeal'', June 30, 2010; retrieved December 5, 2013.</ref>

She is a member of The C Street Family, a prayer group that includes members of Congress.<ref name=cst>[http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2009/07/21/c_street/print.html Inside The C Street House] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090724155034/http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2009/07/21/c_street/print.html|date=2009-07-24}}, Salon.com, July 21, 2009.</ref> She is a former member of the Smithsonian Libraries Advisory Board.<ref name=bio/>

==See also==
* Women in the United States House of Representatives
* Women in the United States Senate

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* [https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/ official U.S. Senate site]
* [https://www.marshablackburn.com/ Campaign website]
* {{Dmoz|Regional/North_America/United_States/Tennessee/Government/Federal/US_House_of_Representatives/Marsha_Blackburn_%5BR-7%5D}}
* {{C-SPAN|marshablackburn}}
* [http://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/meet-press-transcript-feb-16-2014-n31691 MSNBC transcript, ''Meet the Press'' (February 16, 2014)].

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[[Category:Climate change skepticism and denial]]

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