Burchett ‘absolutely’ would take appointment to Blackburn’s seat

Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) expressed interest in taking outgoing senator and Tennessee Gov.-elect Marsha Blackburn’s seat once she resigns from upper chamber.

Burchett said he would “absolutely” take an appointment to the Senate, making the case that he is more popular and better positioned than any of the others on Blackburn’s reported shortlist. Burchett appeared on Fox News’s “ The Sunday Briefing ” days after Blackburn won the race to become Tennessee’s next governor and Burchett won reelection to the House.

“I’m double digits above any of them in polling, I raised a million dollars last quarter which is unheard of for Tim Burchett and I’ve got a statewide network,” Burchett said, making the case for his appointment. “I think I could win statewide.”

Burchett was first elected to the House in 2018 to represent the Knoxville area district and has been an outspoken member of the GOP’s right flank. He is the co-chair of the Congressional Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Caucus, which investigates UFO sightings, and serves on the House Oversight and Foreign Affairs committees.

The Nashville Banner reported that Blackburn has narrowed her options down to Burchett, Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs (R), Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (R-Tenn.) and Deputy Gov. Stuart McWhorter (R). Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had been floated as a possible replacement, but he was reportedly taken out of the running.

Burchett applauded Blackburn for keeping Washington out of her decisionmaking process and said that if Blackburn didn’t appoint him to fill her seat, he would run in 2028.

“I’ve got a good shot at it, I think it’s totally up to her. I’ve prayed about it, I would absolutely take on that role,” Burchett said. “And if not, I would absolutely run for it in two years.”