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. From 2003 to 2019, Blackburn represented Tennessee's 7th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives. She has been noted as being among the most conservative members of the House during her tenure.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

1973: Worked as Sales Manager for Times Mirror Company

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

1975: Worked at Castner Knott Division

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

From 1989 to 1991, Blackburn was chair of the Williamson County Republican Party.

1991: Chair of Williamson County Republican Party

From 1989 to 1991, Blackburn was chair of the Williamson County Republican Party.

1992: Ran for Congress and Delegate to Republican National Convention

In 1992, Blackburn ran for Congress in Tennessee's 6th congressional district, losing to incumbent Bart Gordon, and was a delegate to the 1992 Republican National Convention.

1995: Appointed Executive Director of Tennessee Film, Entertainment, and Music Commission

In 1995, Blackburn was appointed executive director of the Tennessee Film, Entertainment, and Music Commission by Tennessee governor Don Sundquist, holding that post through 1997.

1997: End of Term as Executive Director

In 1995, Blackburn was appointed executive director of the Tennessee Film, Entertainment, and Music Commission by Tennessee governor Don Sundquist, holding that post through 1997.

1999: Member of the Tennessee Senate

From 1999 to 2003, Blackburn was a member of the Tennessee Senate and rose to be minority whip.

2000: Effort to Prevent State Income Tax

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

2002: Ran in Republican Primary

In 2002, Blackburn ran in the Republican primary for the congressional seat in the 7th district, winning with the endorsement of the Club for Growth.

2003: Member of the Tennessee Senate

From 1999 to 2003, Blackburn was a member of the Tennessee Senate and rose to be minority whip.

2003: Assistant Whip in Congress

From 2003 to 2005, Blackburn was an assistant whip in Congress.

2003: Served in U.S. House of Representatives

From 2003 to 2019, Blackburn served in the U.S. House of Representatives, where she was rated among the most conservative members.

2005: Deputy Whip in Congress

From 2003 to 2005, Blackburn was an assistant whip in Congress, and from 2005, she served as a deputy whip.

November 2007: Unsuccessful Run for Republican Conference Chair

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

2008: Senior Advisor on Mitt Romney's Campaign

In 2008, Blackburn served as a senior advisor on Mitt Romney's presidential campaign before endorsing Fred Thompson for president.

November 2016: Joined Trump's Transition Team

In November 2016, Blackburn joined Trump's presidential transition team as vice chair and nominated him for a Nobel Peace Prize.

2016: Continued to Run Marketing Strategies

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

2016: Co-sponsored DEA legislation

In 2016, Marsha Blackburn co-sponsored legislation that revised the legal standard the Drug Enforcement Administration (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 manufacturer's opioid drug shipments.

March 2017: House Passage of Measure to Dismantle Online Privacy Rule

In March 2017, Marsha Blackburn's measure to dismantle an Obama-administration online privacy rule passed the House in a party-line vote, after a similar measure passed the Senate the same week. The rule required broadband providers to obtain consumers' permission before sharing their online data.

October 2017: Announced Candidacy for Senate

In October 2017, Blackburn announced her candidacy for the Senate seat, emphasizing her conservative stance and criticizing Senate Republicans.

2017: Legislation on DEA Enforcement Criticized

According to The New York Times in 2017, Blackburn's best-known legislation was her co-sponsorship of a bill that revised the legal standard the Drug Enforcement Administration (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 manufacturer's opioid drug shipments.

June 2018: Op-Ed on Tech Companies

In June 2018, Marsha Blackburn published an op-ed arguing for greater oversight and restrictions on tech companies, sparking a backlash among Google employees.

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

On November 6, 2018, Marsha Blackburn became the first woman to be elected to the U.S. Senate from Tennessee, defeating Democratic former Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen.

2018: Senate Run Announcement

In 2018, in her declaration that she would run for the Senate, Marsha Blackburn said that the failure to repeal the ACA was "a disgrace".

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

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

2019: Served in U.S. House of Representatives

From 2003 to 2019, Blackburn served in the U.S. House of Representatives, where she was rated among the most conservative members.

September 1, 2020: Publication of The Mind of a Conservative Woman

On September 1, 2020, Marsha Blackburn's book, The Mind of a Conservative Woman: Seeking the Best for Family and Country, was published by Worthy Books.

The Mind of a Conservative Woman: Seeking the Best for Family and Country

Check it on Amazon

October 26, 2020: Vote to Confirm Amy Coney Barrett

On October 26, 2020, Marsha Blackburn voted to confirm Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court of the United States. Blackburn wore a mask that read "Grin and Barrett" to the Senate vote.

January 2021: Became Senior Senator

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

2021: Became Senior U.S. Senator from Tennessee

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

April 7, 2022: Vote Against Ketanji Brown Jackson's Confirmation

On April 7, 2022, Marsha Blackburn voted against Ketanji Brown Jackson's confirmation to the Supreme Court.

August 2022: Congressional Delegation to Taiwan

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

2022: Voted Against Ketanji Brown Jackson

Early in her Senate career, Blackburn voted against the confirmation of Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court in 2022.

October 2023: Voiced Support for Israel

In October 2023, Blackburn voiced support for Israel during the Gaza war, emphasizing the U.S.'s moral obligation to defend Israel.

2023: Dean of Tennessee's Congressional Delegation

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

August 1, 2024: Won Party Nominations

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

2024: REPORT Act Enacted

In 2024, Blackburn introduced and supported the REPORT Act (Revising Existing Procedures On Reporting via Technology Act), which became federal law and expanded reporting obligations for online service providers about suspected child sexual abuse and other crimes.