Gov.-Elect U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn

Gov.-Elect U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn addresses press and legislative supporters inside the Old Supreme Court Chambers. 

With rain pouring outside the Old Supreme Court Chamber, Gov. Bill Lee stood aside to let the first female governor-elect of Tennessee address legislative supporters.

Deputy Gov. Stuwart McWhorter

Deputy Gov. Stuwart McWhorter sits in the crowd inside the Old Supreme Court Chambers on Nov. 4, 2026. 

Governor-elect U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn walked up to the podium to lay out her transition to power. The Williamson County Republican won a much tighter race than anticipated on Tuesday night and heads into the 2027 legislative session with a less powerful supermajority. Deputy Gov. Stuart McWhorter will head the transition team between Lee and Blackburn. 

Marsha Blackburn and Bill Lee - November 2026

Gov.-Elect U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn walks down from her soon-to-be office in the Tennessee Capitol on Nov. 4, 2026. 

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