Marsha Blackburn is a Republican politician and businesswoman. She is the senior U.S. Senator from Tennessee, elected in 2018. Previously, she served as a state senator (1999-2003) and represented Tennessee's 7th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives (2003-2019). The National Journal considered her one of the House's most conservative members.
June 6, 1952: Birth of Marsha Blackburn
Marsha Blackburn was born on June 6, 1952.
1964: Passage of the Civil Rights Act
The Civil Rights Act of 1964, a landmark piece of legislation prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, was passed. This act is central to Blackburn's later arguments regarding LGBTQ+ discrimination in the workplace.
1973: Begins Work as Sales Manager
In 1973, Marsha Blackburn started working as a sales manager for the Times Mirror Company while still in college.
1974: Graduates from Mississippi State University
Marsha Blackburn graduated with a Bachelor of Science in home economics from Mississippi State University in 1974.
1975: Begins work at Castner Knott Division
Marsha Blackburn began working at the Castner Knott Division of Mercantile Stores, Inc. in 1975.
1978: Founds Marketing Strategies
In 1978, Marsha Blackburn became the owner of Marketing Strategies, a promotion-event management firm.
1989: Becomes Chair of the Williamson County Republican Party
Marsha Blackburn became the chair of the Williamson County Republican Party in 1989.
1991: End of Tenure as Chair of Williamson County Republican Party
Marsha Blackburn's time as chair of the Williamson County Republican Party ended in 1991.
1992: Runs for Congress
Marsha Blackburn ran for Congress in Tennessee's 6th congressional district in 1992 but lost to incumbent Bart Gordon.
1995: Appointed Executive Director of the Tennessee Film, Entertainment, and Music Commission
Marsha Blackburn was appointed executive director of the Tennessee Film, Entertainment, and Music Commission by Tennessee governor Don Sundquist in 1995.
1997: End of Tenure at the Tennessee Film, Entertainment, and Music Commission
Marsha Blackburn's time as executive director of the Tennessee Film, Entertainment, and Music Commission ended in 1997.
1998: Begins Service in the Tennessee Senate
Marsha Blackburn's service as a member of the Tennessee Senate began in 1998.
1999: Elected to the Tennessee State Senate
Marsha Blackburn began her service as a Tennessee State Senator in 1999.
2000: Works to Prevent Passage of State Income Tax Bill
Marsha Blackburn worked to prevent the passage of a state income tax bill in 2000.
2000: Redistricting Moves Blackburn's Home District
Redistricting after the 2000 census moved Blackburn's home from the 6th district into the 7th district.
2002: Runs in Republican Primary for 7th Congressional District Seat
Marsha Blackburn ran in the Republican primary for the 7th Congressional District seat in 2002.
2003: Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives
Marsha Blackburn was elected to represent Tennessee's 7th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2003.
2003: End of Service in the Tennessee Senate
Marsha Blackburn's time as a Tennessee state senator ended in 2003.
2003: Becomes Assistant Whip in Congress
Marsha Blackburn became an assistant whip in Congress in 2003.
2003: Begins Service in the U.S. House of Representatives
Marsha Blackburn began serving in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2003.
2004: Vote for Same-Sex Marriage Ban
Blackburn voted in favor of a proposed constitutional amendment to prohibit same-sex marriage, reflecting her stance against it.
2005: Becomes Deputy Whip in Congress
Marsha Blackburn became a deputy whip in Congress in 2005.
2006: Second Vote for Same-Sex Marriage Ban
Reaffirming her opposition to same-sex marriage, Blackburn voted for a proposed constitutional amendment to ban it.
November 2007: Runs for Republican Conference Chair
Marsha Blackburn unsuccessfully ran for Republican conference chair in November 2007.
2008: Works on Mitt Romney's Presidential Campaign
Marsha Blackburn served as a senior advisor on Mitt Romney's 2008 presidential campaign before resigning and endorsing Fred Thompson.
2009: Votes Against Fair Pay Acts
Blackburn voted against the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and the Paycheck Fairness Act, signifying her stance on issues related to gender pay equity.
2009: Sponsors Legislation Requiring Presidential Candidates to Show Birth Certificates
In 2009, Marsha Blackburn sponsored legislation requiring presidential candidates to show their birth certificates.
2010: Vote Against Repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell
Blackburn opposed the repeal of the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, voting against its elimination.
October 2013: Blackburn's Criticism of Healthcare.gov
During congressional hearings in October 2013, Marsha Blackburn raised concerns about the privacy implications of the Affordable Care Act's website, Healthcare.gov, alleging that it violated HIPAA regulations, despite evidence to the contrary.
2013: Vote on Violence Against Women Act
In 2013, Blackburn showed support for the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) by voting for it in the House. However, she voted against the Senate's version, which broadened VAWA's scope to include protections for individuals regardless of their sexual orientation.
2013: Manages Debate on Abortion Bill
In 2013, Marsha Blackburn was chosen to manage debate on a bill that would have prohibited abortions after 22 weeks' gestation.
July 2014: Conference Call on DEA Enforcement
In July 2014, Marsha Blackburn participated in a conference call with Joe Rannazzisi, then head of the DEA's Office of Diversion Control, where he warned about the potential impact of her proposed legislation on the DEA's ability to pursue corporations illegally distributing drugs.
2014: Blackburn's Stance on Climate Change
In 2014, Marsha Blackburn publicly rejected the scientific consensus on climate change during a debate with Bill Nye, asserting that there was no agreement within the scientific community about the issue.
August 2015: Rannazzisi Removed from DEA Position
Following the controversy surrounding Blackburn's opioid legislation and her letter requesting an investigation into Joe Rannazzisi, he was removed from his position at the DEA in August 2015.
2015: Opposition to Obergefell v. Hodges Ruling
Following the Supreme Court's decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, Blackburn publicly expressed her disagreement, stating that the ruling could not change the definition of marriage.
2015: Leads Panel Investigating Planned Parenthood
Marsha Blackburn led a panel in 2015 that investigated the Planned Parenthood undercover video controversy.
March 2016: Chairs Select Investigative Panel on Fetal Tissue Research
In March 2016, Marsha Blackburn chaired the Republican-led Select Investigative Panel, formed to investigate the use of fetal tissue in biomedical research.
October 2016: FCC Adopts Online Privacy Rule
The FCC, during the Obama administration, adopted an online privacy rule requiring broadband providers to obtain consumer consent before sharing their data. This rule would later become a point of contention for Blackburn.
November 2016: Blackburn Joins Trump's Presidential Transition Team
Marsha Blackburn joined Donald Trump's presidential transition team in November 2016, demonstrating her strong support for Trump, which continued throughout his presidency.
2016: Continues to Run Marketing Strategies
As of 2016, Marsha Blackburn continued to run Marketing Strategies.
2016: Co-sponsorship of Opioid Legislation
In 2016, Marsha Blackburn co-sponsored a bill that changed the legal standard used by the DEA to halt opioid shipments, raising concerns about its impact on the agency's ability to combat the opioid crisis.
March 2017: Introduction of Measure to Repeal Online Privacy Rule
Blackburn introduced a measure in the House to dismantle the Obama-era online privacy rule, sparking debate about the balance between consumer privacy and broadband provider regulations.
October 2017: Announces Candidacy for Senate Seat
In October 2017, Marsha Blackburn announced her candidacy for the Senate seat being vacated by Bob Corker.
2017: Support for Trump's Travel Ban
Blackburn voiced her support for President Trump's 2017 executive order, which temporarily banned travel and immigration from seven Muslim-majority countries, aligning herself with his immigration policies.
2017: New York Times Highlights Blackburn's Opioid Legislation
In 2017, The New York Times published an article recognizing Blackburn's opioid legislation as her most well-known legislative work. The article also detailed criticism of the bill, including its potential negative impact on efforts to combat the opioid epidemic.
2017: Blackburn's Opposition to the Affordable Care Act
Marsha Blackburn has been a vocal opponent of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), consistently advocating for its repeal and making misleading claims about the law's provisions.
2017: Runs Controversial Advertisement About Planned Parenthood
While running for Senate in 2017, Marsha Blackburn ran a controversial advertisement about her role in investigations into Planned Parenthood.
June 2018: Advocacy for Increased Regulation of Technology Companies
In June 2018, Blackburn penned an op-ed advocating for stricter regulation and oversight of technology companies, particularly criticizing what she perceived as anti-conservative bias on these platforms.
November 6, 2018: First Woman Elected to the U.S. Senate from Tennessee
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.
November 7, 2018: Blackburn's Response to Thousand Oaks Shooting
Following the tragic Thousand Oaks shooting on November 7, 2018, Marsha Blackburn, in a Fox News interview, responded to a question about the event by emphasizing the importance of protecting the Second Amendment and addressing mental health issues.
2018: Blackburn's Continued Opposition to the ACA
Throughout her career, Marsha Blackburn remained a staunch critic of the Affordable Care Act, viewing its continued existence as a failure and a disgrace.
2018: Elected to the U.S. Senate
In 2018, Marsha Blackburn was elected to the United States Senate.
January 3, 2019: Sworn in as U.S. Senator
Marsha Blackburn was sworn in as a U.S. Senator on January 3, 2019, becoming the first woman in history to represent Tennessee in the U.S. Senate.
August 2019: Amicus Brief on Title VII and LGBTQ+ Discrimination
In August 2019, Blackburn joined an amicus brief submitted to the U.S. Supreme Court, arguing that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 should not be interpreted to prohibit employment discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
November 2019: Blackburn Criticizes Vindman During Trump Impeachment
During the first Senate impeachment trial of Donald Trump in November 2019, Marsha Blackburn faced criticism for publicly criticizing Alexander Vindman, a key witness, and for her conduct during the proceedings, including tweeting allegations against Vindman and being absent from the Senate chamber for a television interview.
2019: Ranked as Most Ideologically Conservative Senator
GovTrack estimated Marsha Blackburn to be the most ideologically conservative member of the Senate in the 2019 legislative year.
2019: End of Service in the U.S. House of Representatives
Marsha Blackburn's time in the U.S. House of Representatives ended in 2019.
2019: End of Tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives
Marsha Blackburn's time representing Tennessee's 7th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives ended in 2019.
September 1, 2020: Publication of "The Mind of a Conservative Woman"
Blackburn's book, "The Mind of a Conservative Woman: Seeking the Best for Family and Country," was published on September 1, 2020.
October 26, 2020: Vote to Confirm Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court
Blackburn voted to confirm Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court on October 26, 2020. Her support for Barrett's confirmation underscored her conservative stance on judicial appointments.
December 2020: Blackburn's Comments on China Spark Controversy
In December 2020, Marsha Blackburn posted a tweet characterizing China's history as one of "cheating and stealing," which led to a public exchange with Chen Weihua, a journalist from China Daily. Blackburn's comments were condemned by the Tennessee Chinese American Alliance as offensive to people of Chinese descent.
2020: Criticism of Tech Companies' Handling of Free Speech
During a 2020 Commerce Committee hearing, Blackburn reiterated her concerns about technology companies, specifically accusing them of stifling free speech.
2020: Blackburn Supports Trump's Election Challenges
After the 2020 election, Marsha Blackburn supported Donald Trump's unfounded claims of election victory and fundraising efforts to challenge the results. She briefly acknowledged Biden as "president-elect" but later retracted it.
January 2, 2021: Blackburn's Actions Following the 2020 Election
Following Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 presidential election, Marsha Blackburn initially supported Donald Trump's false claims of election fraud and voted against certifying the election results, but later changed her stance after the January 6th Capitol attack.
January 2021: Becomes Senior Senator from Tennessee
Marsha Blackburn became the senior senator from Tennessee in January 2021 upon the retirement of Senator Lamar Alexander.
March 2021: Visit to Southern Border and Criticism of Biden Administration
Blackburn, alongside several Republican senators, visited the U.S. southern border in March 2021 and accused the Biden administration of fueling a surge in illegal immigration.
May 2021: Blackburn Abstains from Voting on January 6th Commission
Marsha Blackburn chose to abstain from voting on the formation of the January 6th commission in May 2021, a decision that drew criticism from those who believed she was avoiding accountability for her actions related to the January 6th Capitol attack.
October 2021: Inquiry into Olympic Sport Sexual Abuse Investigations
In October 2021, Blackburn sought feedback from Aly Raisman, a gymnast, and others regarding the systemic failures in investigating sexual abuse within Olympic sports. Blackburn's actions were in response to the Larry Nassar scandal, where the former USA Gymnastics doctor was convicted of sexually abusing numerous young athletes.
2021: Blackburn Opposes Biden's Universal Pre-K Proposal
In 2021, Marsha Blackburn strongly opposed President Biden's proposal for universal pre-K, drawing comparisons to communist policies and making inaccurate claims about the proposal's details.
2021: Becomes Senior U.S. Senator from Tennessee
Upon the retirement of Senator Lamar Alexander in 2021, Marsha Blackburn became the senior U.S. senator from Tennessee.
March 2022: Blackburn Criticizes Griswold v. Connecticut Ruling
Marsha Blackburn, in March 2022, publicly criticized the Supreme Court's decision in Griswold v. Connecticut, a landmark case that established the right of married couples to use contraceptives, arguing that the ruling was constitutionally flawed.
March 22, 2022: Questioning of Ketanji Brown Jackson on Definition of "Woman"
During the confirmation hearing for Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson on March 22, 2022, Blackburn questioned Jackson about her ability to define the word "woman." The exchange attracted significant media attention and became a focal point in the broader debate about gender identity.
April 7, 2022: Vote Against Ketanji Brown Jackson's Confirmation
Blackburn voted against confirming Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court on April 7, 2022. Despite her opposition, Jackson was confirmed by a 53-47 vote, becoming the first Black woman to serve on the highest court in the United States.
August 2022: Blackburn Leads Congressional Delegation to Taiwan
In August 2022, Marsha Blackburn visited Taiwan and met with President Tsai Ing-wen, expressing support for Taiwan's independence and advocating for stronger U.S.-Taiwan relations.
2022: Blackburn Votes Against Bipartisan Safer Communities Act
In 2022, Marsha Blackburn voted against the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, a significant piece of gun safety legislation, further solidifying her stance on gun control.
March 2023: Newsom Criticizes Blackburn's Stance on Gun Control
In March 2023, California Governor Gavin Newsom publicly criticized Marsha Blackburn for her close ties to the National Rifle Association and her opposition to gun control legislation, highlighting the significant amount of campaign donations she received from the NRA.
2023: Becomes Dean of Tennessee's Congressional Delegation
Marsha Blackburn became the dean of Tennessee's congressional delegation in 2023, following the retirement of Congressman Jim Cooper.
2023: Blackburn Votes Against Debt Ceiling Increase
Marsha Blackburn was among the Senate Republicans who voted against the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, legislation that aimed to raise the U.S. debt ceiling.