Career Timeline of Marsha Blackburn: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Marsha Blackburn made an impact.

Marsha Blackburn is an American politician and businesswoman currently serving as a senior United States Senator for Tennessee, elected in 2018. As a member of the Republican Party, she previously served as a Tennessee state senator from 1999 to 2003. She also represented Tennessee's 7th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2003 to 2019. Blackburn has a reputation for being among the House's most conservative members, according to the National Journal.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

1973: Worked as a Sales Manager

In 1973, before graduating from college, Marsha Blackburn worked as a sales manager for the Times Mirror Company.

1975: Worked at Castner Knott

From 1975 to 1978, Marsha Blackburn worked in the Castner Knott Division of Mercantile Stores, Inc.

1978: Became Owner of Marketing Strategies

In 1978, Marsha Blackburn became the owner of Marketing Strategies, a promotion-event management firm.

1989: Chair of Williamson County Republican Party

In 1989, Marsha Blackburn became the chair of the Williamson County Republican Party.

1991: Continued as Chair of Williamson County Republican Party

In 1991, Marsha Blackburn continued her role as the chair of the Williamson County Republican Party, a position she held from 1989.

1992: Ran for Congress and Delegate to Republican National Convention

In 1992, Marsha Blackburn ran for Congress in Tennessee's 6th congressional district but lost to Bart Gordon. She also served as a delegate to the 1992 Republican National Convention.

1995: Appointed Executive Director of Tennessee Film Commission

In 1995, Marsha Blackburn was appointed as the executive director of the Tennessee Film, Entertainment, and Music Commission by Governor Don Sundquist.

1997: Continued as Executive Director of Tennessee Film Commission

In 1997, Marsha Blackburn held the post of executive director of the Tennessee Film, Entertainment, and Music Commission.

1999: Member of the Tennessee Senate

In 1999, Marsha Blackburn became a member of the Tennessee Senate, serving until 2003.

1999: Became a State Senator

In 1999, Marsha Blackburn became a state senator in Tennessee, serving until 2003.

2000: Effort to Prevent State Income Tax

In 2000, Marsha Blackburn participated in the effort to prevent the passage of a state income tax bill.

2002: Ran in Republican Primary for Congressional Seat

In 2002, Marsha Blackburn ran in the Republican primary for the congressional seat in the 7th district and won.

2003: Assistant Whip in Congress

From 2003 to 2005, Marsha Blackburn served as an assistant whip in Congress.

2003: Began Service in U.S. House of Representatives

In 2003, Marsha Blackburn began serving in the U.S. House of Representatives.

2003: Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives

In 2003, Marsha Blackburn was elected to represent Tennessee's 7th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives.

2003: End of Tennessee Senate Membership

Marsha Blackburn's membership in the Tennessee Senate ended in 2003.

2005: Deputy Whip in Congress

Beginning in 2005, Marsha Blackburn served as a deputy whip in Congress.

November 2007: Unsuccessful Run for Republican Conference Chair

In November 2007, Marsha Blackburn unsuccessfully ran for Republican conference chair.

2008: Senior Advisor and Endorsement for President

In 2008, Marsha Blackburn was a senior advisor on Mitt Romney's presidential campaign but later endorsed Fred Thompson for president.

2009: Sponsored Legislation on Birth Certificates

In 2009, Marsha Blackburn sponsored legislation requiring presidential candidates to show their birth certificates, in response to "birther" theories about Barack Obama.

2013: Managed Debate on Abortion Bill

In 2013, Marsha Blackburn managed debate on a bill that would have prohibited abortions after 22 weeks' gestation, with limited exceptions.

2015: Led Panel Investigating Planned Parenthood

In 2015, Marsha Blackburn led a panel that investigated the Planned Parenthood undercover video controversy.

March 2016: Chaired Select Investigative Panel

In March 2016, Marsha Blackburn chaired the Republican-led Select Investigative Panel, a committee convened to "explore the ethical implications of using fetal tissue in biomedical research".

November 2016: Joined Trump's Presidential Transition Team

In November 2016, Marsha Blackburn joined Donald Trump's presidential transition team as vice chair and supported his policies, even nominating him for a Nobel Peace Prize.

2016: Continued to Run Marketing Strategies

As of 2016, Marsha Blackburn continued to run her business, Marketing Strategies, a promotion-event management firm.

October 2017: Announced Senate Candidacy

In October 2017, Marsha Blackburn announced her candidacy for the Senate seat being vacated by Bob Corker, positioning herself as a "hardcore, card-carrying Tennessee conservative".

2017: Senate Campaign Advertisement

In 2017, when Marsha Blackburn announced she was running for Senate, she ran a controversial advertisement saying that she "fought Planned Parenthood and we stopped the sale of baby body parts".

November 6, 2018: Elected to the U.S. Senate

On November 6, 2018, Marsha Blackburn was elected as the first woman to the U.S. Senate from Tennessee, defeating Phil Bredesen.

2018: Elected to the Senate

In 2018, Marsha Blackburn was first elected to the Senate representing Tennessee.

January 3, 2019: Sworn in as U.S. Senator

On January 3, 2019, Marsha Blackburn was sworn in as a U.S. senator, becoming the first woman to represent Tennessee in the U.S. Senate.

2019: Most Conservative Member of the Senate

GovTrack estimated Marsha Blackburn to be the most ideologically conservative member of the Senate in the 2019 legislative year.

2019: Ended Service in U.S. House of Representatives

In 2019, Marsha Blackburn concluded her service in the U.S. House of Representatives.

2019: End of House of Representatives Tenure

In 2019, Marsha Blackburn concluded her service in the United States House of Representatives.

January 2021: Became Tennessee's Senior Senator

In January 2021, Marsha Blackburn became the senior senator from Tennessee upon the retirement of Lamar Alexander.

2021: Became Senior U.S. Senator from Tennessee

In 2021, Marsha Blackburn became the senior U.S. senator from Tennessee upon Lamar Alexander's retirement.

August 2022: Congressional Delegation to Taiwan

In August 2022, Marsha Blackburn led a congressional delegation to Taiwan, where she met with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and voiced support for Taiwan's independence.

2023: Became Dean of Tennessee's Congressional Delegation

In 2023, following the retirement of Jim Cooper, Marsha Blackburn became the dean of Tennessee's congressional delegation.

August 1, 2024: Won Party Nominations

On August 1, 2024, Marsha Blackburn and Democratic state representative Gloria Johnson won their respective party nominations, marking the first all-woman general election for a Tennessee Senate seat.

2024: Chairperson for the Republican National Committee's Official Party Platform

In 2024, Marsha Blackburn served as chairperson for the Republican National Committee's official party platform.

2024: Won Reelection to the Senate

In 2024, Marsha Blackburn won reelection to a second Senate term, defeating Democratic nominee Gloria Johnson.

2024: Speculation as Trump's Running Mate

In 2024, there was speculation that Marsha Blackburn could be Donald Trump's running mate in his presidential campaign, but Trump chose JD Vance instead.