History of Marsha Blackburn in Timeline

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

June 6, 1952: Birth of Marsha Blackburn

On June 6, 1952, Mary Marsha Blackburn (née Wedgeworth) was born. She is an American politician and businesswoman who serves as the senior United States senator from Tennessee.

Others born on this day/year

1964: Civil Rights Act of 1964

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.

1973: Worked as a Sales Manager

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

1974: Graduated from Mississippi State University

In 1974, Marsha Blackburn earned a Bachelor of Science in home economics from Mississippi State University on a 4-H scholarship.

1974: Marsha marries Chuck Blackburn

In 1974, Marsha married Chuck Blackburn.

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: Redistricting Moved Blackburn's Home

After the 2000 census, redistricting moved Marsha Blackburn's home from the 6th district into the 7th district.

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.

2004: Blackburn voted to ban same-sex marriage

In 2004, Marsha Blackburn voted for proposed constitutional amendments to ban same-sex marriage.

2005: Deputy Whip in Congress

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

2006: Blackburn voted to ban same-sex marriage

In 2006, Marsha Blackburn voted for proposed constitutional amendments to ban same-sex marriage.

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.

2009: Blackburn voted against the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and the Paycheck Fairness Act

In 2009, Marsha Blackburn voted against the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and the Paycheck Fairness Act.

2010: Blackburn voted against repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy

In 2010, Marsha Blackburn voted against repealing the military's Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy.

October 2013: Blackburn criticizes healthcare.gov for HIPAA violations

During October 2013 congressional hearings on the ACA, Marsha Blackburn claimed that the website healthcare.gov violated HIPAA and health information privacy rights, even after being challenged on the limited scope of health-related questions asked by the site.

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.

2013: Blackburn voted against Senate's version of Violence Against Women Act

In 2013, Marsha Blackburn voted against the Senate's version of the Violence Against Women Act, arguing it would dilute funding for women's shelters by expanding the act's application to people regardless of sexual orientation.

July 2014: Rannazzisi informs staff about effects of law.

During a July 2014 conference call, Joe Rannazzisi informed congressional staffers that the bill would cause more difficulties for the DEA if it pursued corporations that were illegally distributing such drugs.

2014: Climate Change Debate

In 2014, Marsha Blackburn rejected the scientific consensus on climate change during a debate with Bill Nye, claiming there is no consensus in the scientific community about the causes of climate change.

August 2015: Rannazzisi Removed from his DEA position

In August 2015, Joe Rannazzisi was removed from his position at the DEA.

2015: Led Panel Investigating Planned Parenthood

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

2015: Blackburn responds to Obergefell v. Hodges decision

In 2015, regarding the Supreme Court's decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, Marsha Blackburn stated her belief that marriage is a sacred institution between a man and a woman.

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".

October 2016: FCC adopted online privacy rule

In October 2016, the FCC adopted an online privacy rule.

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.

2016: Blackburn co-sponsored a law that would later have unintended consequences

In 2016, Marsha Blackburn co-sponsored a law that would later have unintended consequences.

March 2017: Blackburn's measure passed

In March 2017, Marsha Blackburn introduced to the House a measure to dismantle an Obama-administration online privacy rule that the FCC adopted in October 2016.

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: Blackburn's legislation revised DEA standard

According to The New York Times, in 2017 Blackburn's legislation revised the legal standard the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) used to establish risk before suspending opioid drug shipments, a move criticized for hampering DEA enforcement.

2017: Blackburn supported Trump's travel ban

In 2017, Marsha Blackburn supported Trump's executive order imposing a temporary travel and immigration ban barring citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the U.S.

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".

2017: Blackburn argues for ACA repeal

In 2017, while arguing for the repeal of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), Marsha Blackburn falsely stated that certain provisions of the act were Republican ideas.

June 2018: Blackburn publishes op-ed on tech regulation

In June 2018, Marsha Blackburn published an op-ed advocating for increased regulation of technology companies, which sparked backlash among Google employees.

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.

November 7, 2018: Blackburn comments on Thousand Oaks shooting

On November 7, 2018, following the Thousand Oaks shooting, Marsha Blackburn responded to a question in a Fox News interview by emphasizing the need to protect the Second Amendment and address mental health issues.

2018: Blackburn campaigns against ACA

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

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.

August 2019: Blackburn co-signed amicus brief against LGBT employment discrimination

In August 2019, Marsha 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.

November 2019: #MoscowMarcia Trending on Twitter

In November 2019, #MoscowMarcia started trending on Twitter after Marsha Blackburn tweeted allegations against Alexander Vindman during Trump's first Senate impeachment trial.

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.

September 1, 2020: The Mind of a Conservative Woman: Seeking the Best for Family and Country Release

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: Blackburn voted to confirm Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court

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

December 2020: Controversial Tweet and Response

In December 2020, Marsha Blackburn posted a controversial tweet about China, leading to a heated exchange with a Chinese official on Twitter and protests from the Tennessee Chinese American Alliance.

2020: Blackburn claims tech companies stifle free speech

During a 2020 Commerce Committee hearing, Marsha Blackburn claimed that tech companies stifle free speech and questioned Google's chief Sundar Pichai about the employment status of an employee who had criticized her.

2020: Blackburn supports Trump's false victory claims

In 2020, after Biden won the United States presidential election, Marsha Blackburn supported Trump's false claims of victory and fundraised to support the Trump campaign's efforts to overturn the election results in court.

January 2, 2021: Blackburn to oppose election certification

On January 2, 2021, Marsha Blackburn and 10 other Republican senators announced their intent to oppose the certification of the 2020 United States presidential election results during the January 6th joint session of Congress, citing unsubstantiated claims of widespread election fraud and irregularities.

January 2021: Became Tennessee's Senior Senator

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

March 2021: Blackburn visits southern border, criticizes Biden's immigration policy

In March 2021, Marsha Blackburn visited the southern border of the United States with other Republican senators, accusing President Biden of encouraging illegal immigration.

May 2021: Blackburn abstains from January 6 commission vote

In May 2021, Marsha Blackburn abstained from voting on the creation of the January 6 commission.

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.

2021: Blackburn likens Biden's proposal to communist policies

In 2021, Marsha Blackburn likened President Biden's proposal for universal pre-K and subsidized child care to the communist policies of the Soviet Union, falsely claiming the administration intended to place children in pre-K against their parents' wishes.

March 2022: Called Griswold v. Connecticut "constitutionally unsound"

In March 2022, Marsha Blackburn called Griswold v. Connecticut, a landmark Supreme Court decision protecting the right to contraception, "constitutionally unsound".

March 22, 2022: Blackburn questions Ketanji Brown Jackson about definition of 'woman'

On March 22, 2022, during the confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson, Marsha Blackburn questioned Jackson about the definition of the word 'woman'.

April 7, 2022: Blackburn votes against confirming Ketanji Brown Jackson

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

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.

2022: Bipartisan Safer Communities Act passed

In 2022, the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act passed, against which Blackburn voted.

March 2023: Newsom criticizes Blackburn for NRA donations and gun control votes

In March 2023, California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized Marsha Blackburn for accepting over $1 million in campaign donations from the National Rifle Association of America and voting against gun control measures.

July 2023: Criticized the movie Barbie

In July 2023, Marsha Blackburn criticized the movie "Barbie" for allegedly bending to Beijing's influence due to a map displaying the nine-dash line.

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October 2023: Supported Israel During Gaza War

In October 2023, Marsha Blackburn voiced support for Israel during the Gaza war, emphasizing the United States' moral obligation to defend Israel.

2023: Blackburn votes against Fiscal Responsibility Act

In 2023, Marsha Blackburn was among the 31 Senate Republicans who voted against final passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, which raised the U.S. debt ceiling.

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: Targeted by Chinese Spamouflage Operation

In 2024, Marsha Blackburn was targeted by the Chinese government's Spamouflage influence operation.

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.