History of Marsha Blackburn in Timeline

Marsha Blackburn is an American politician and businesswoman currently serving as the senior United States Senator from Tennessee, elected in 2018. As a member of the Republican Party, she previously served as a state senator from 1999 to 2003. From 2003 to 2019, Blackburn represented Tennessee's 7th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives. During her time in the House, she was consistently rated as one of its most conservative members.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

June 6, 1952: Birth of Marsha Blackburn

On June 6, 1952, Mary Marsha Wedgeworth (later Blackburn) was born. She is an American politician and businesswoman.

Others born on this day/year

1964: Civil Rights Act of 1964.

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.

1973: Sales Manager at Times Mirror Company

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 graduated from Mississippi State University with a Bachelor of Science in home economics, on a 4-H scholarship. She was also elected as secretary and president of the Associated Women Students at the university.

1974: Marsha marries Chuck Blackburn.

In 1974, Marsha married Chuck Blackburn.

1975: Worked at Castner Knott Division

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

1978: Owner of Marketing Strategies

In 1978, Marsha Blackburn became the owner of Marketing Strategies, a promotion-event management firm, which she continued to run as of 2016.

1989: Chair of the Williamson County Republican Party

In 1989, Marsha Blackburn became the chair of the Williamson County Republican Party, a position she held until 1991.

1991: End of term as Chair of the Williamson County Republican Party

In 1991, Marsha Blackburn finished her term as the chair of the Williamson County Republican Party.

1992: Ran for Congress

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

1995: Appointed Executive Director of Tennessee Film Commission

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

1997: End of term as Executive Director of Tennessee Film Commission

In 1997, Marsha Blackburn finished her term as the executive director of the Tennessee Film, Entertainment, and Music Commission.

1999: Became a Member of the Tennessee Senate

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

1999: Became a State Senator

In 1999, Marsha Blackburn became a state senator in Tennessee, a position she held until 2003.

2000: Redistricting after Census

Following the 2000 census, redistricting moved Marsha Blackburn's home from the 6th district into the 7th district, creating a gerrymandered district.

2000: Effort to Prevent State Income Tax Bill

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 by nearly 20 percentage points.

2003: Assistant Whip in Congress

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

2003: Served in U.S. House of Representatives

From 2003 to 2019, Marsha Blackburn served in the U.S. House of Representatives, where she was rated among the House's most conservative members by the National Journal.

2003: End of Term as Member of the Tennessee Senate

In 2003, Marsha Blackburn's time as a member of the Tennessee Senate concluded.

2004: Blackburn voted for constitutional amendments to ban same-sex marriage.

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

2005: Deputy Whip

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

2006: Blackburn voted for constitutional amendments 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

In 2008, Marsha Blackburn was a senior advisor on Mitt Romney's presidential campaign before resigning and endorsing 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" conspiracy theories regarding Barack Obama's citizenship.

2009: Blackburn Voted Against Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and 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 violating privacy rights.

In October 2013, during congressional hearings on the ACA, Marsha Blackburn stated that the website healthcare.gov violated HIPAA and health information privacy rights, even after being questioned about the limited health-related information requested by the site.

2013: Blackburn votes on the Violence Against Women Act.

In 2013, Marsha Blackburn voted to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act in the House, but voted against the Senate's version of the act, which expanded VAWA to apply to people regardless of sexual orientation.

2013: Managed Debate on Abortion Bill

In 2013, Marsha Blackburn was chosen to manage debate on a bill promoted by House Republicans that would have prohibited abortions after 22 weeks' gestation, with limited exceptions for rape or incest.

July 2014: Conference call regarding the effects of a 2016 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: Rejected Climate Change Consensus

In 2014, during a debate with Bill Nye, Marsha Blackburn rejected the scientific consensus on climate change, 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, who had led the DEA's Office of Diversion Control, was removed from his position.

2015: Led Panel Investigating Planned Parenthood

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

2015: Blackburn opposes Supreme Court's decision on same-sex marriage.

In 2015, regarding the Supreme Court's decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, Marsha Blackburn stated, "Despite this decision, no one can overrule the truth about what marriage actually is—a sacred institution between a man and a woman."

March 2016: Chaired Republican-Led 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 Obama-administration 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.

2016: Running Marketing Strategies

As of 2016, Marsha Blackburn continued to run the business Marketing Strategies.

2016: Blackburn co-sponsored bill

In 2016, Joe Rannazzisi said he informed Blackburn's staffers what the effects of a 2016 law she co-sponsored would be.

March 2017: Blackburn introduces measure to dismantle online privacy rule.

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. The measure passed the House in a party-line vote.

October 2017: Announced Candidacy for Senate

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

2017: Legislation revising DEA legal standard

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.

2017: Blackburn argues for repeal of the Affordable Care Act

In 2017, Marsha Blackburn argued for the repeal of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), falsely stating that two of its popular provisions (protections for people with preexisting conditions and allowing adult children to be on their parents' health plans until they're 26) "were two Republican provisions which made it into the bill."

2017: Blackburn supports 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: Ran Controversial Advertisement

In 2017, when Marsha Blackburn announced that 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".

June 2018: Blackburn argues for greater oversight and restrictions on tech companies.

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

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

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

November 7, 2018: Blackburn responds to Thousand Oaks Shooting.

On November 7, 2018, following the Thousand Oaks shooting, Marsha Blackburn responded to a question about the shooting in a Fox News interview, emphasizing the importance of protecting the Second Amendment and addressing mental health issues.

2018: Elected to the Senate

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

2018: Blackburn calls failure to repeal ACA a disgrace.

In 2018, Marsha Blackburn, during her declaration that she would run for the Senate, stated that the failure to repeal the Affordable Care Act was "a disgrace".

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-signs amicus brief against LGBT employment discrimination.

November 2019: #MoscowMarcia Trending on Twitter

In November 2019, the hashtag #MoscowMarcia started trending on Twitter after Marsha Blackburn tweeted allegations against Alexander Vindman during Trump's first Senate impeachment trial. The Week characterized her tweet as a "conspiratorial smear".

2019: End of Term in U.S. House of Representatives

In 2019, Marsha Blackburn finished her term in the U.S. House of Representatives.

2019: Left House of Representatives

In 2019, Marsha Blackburn left the United States House of Representatives.

2019: Most Ideologically Conservative Member of the Senate

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

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

On September 1, 2020, "The Mind of a Conservative Woman: Seeking the Best for Family and Country" by Marsha Blackburn 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 votes 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, wearing a mask that read "Grin and Barrett" to the Senate vote.

December 2020: Controversial Tweet

In December 2020, Marsha Blackburn posted a controversial tweet about China's history, leading to a heated exchange with a Chinese official 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 chief Sundar Pichai about the employment status of an employee who had criticized her.

2020: Blackburn supports Trump's false claims of victory in the 2020 election.

In 2020, after Biden won the presidential election, Marsha Blackburn supported Trump's false claims of victory and raised funds to overturn the election results in court. Although she briefly called Biden the 'president-elect' on November 20, she retracted this as a mistake.

January 2, 2021: Blackburn to oppose certification of the 2020 election results

On January 2, 2021, Marsha Blackburn and 10 other Republican senators announced their intent to vote against certifying the 2020 presidential election results on January 6, alleging widespread election fraud and unconstitutional changes to voting laws.

January 2021: Became Senior Senator

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

March 2021: Blackburn accuses Biden of encouraging illegal immigration.

In March 2021, Marsha Blackburn visited the southern border of the United States with several other Republican senators; she accused President Biden of encouraging a surge of illegal immigration.

May 2021: Blackburn Abstains from Voting on January 6 Commission

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

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. She also falsely claimed that the Biden administration proposed to put children in pre-K even if their parents did not want to send them there.

2021: Became Senior U.S. Senator from Tennessee

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

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 contraceptives, "constitutionally unsound".

March 22, 2022: Blackburn questions Jackson on the definition of "woman".

On March 22, 2022, during the confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson, Marsha Blackburn asked Jackson to define the word "woman".

April 7, 2022: Blackburn votes against Jackson's confirmation to the Supreme Court.

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

2022: Bipartisan Safer Communities Act

In 2022, the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act passed.

March 2023: Newsom Criticizes Blackburn for Accepting NRA Donations and Voting Against Gun Control

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, including the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which passed in 2022.

July 2023: Criticized Barbie Movie

In July 2023, Marsha Blackburn criticized the movie Barbie for allegedly including a map displaying China's territorial claim in the South China Sea. Warner Bros., Barbie's production company, denied the map made any type of statement.

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October 2023: Voiced Support for Israel during Gaza War

In October 2023, Marsha Blackburn voiced support for Israel during the Gaza war.

2023: Became Dean of Tennessee's Congressional Delegation

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

2023: Blackburn Votes Against Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023

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.

August 1, 2024: Won Party Nominations

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

2024: Chairperson for Republican National Committee's Party Platform

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

2024: Targeted by Chinese Government's Spamouflage Influence Operation

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

2024: Re-elected to Senate

In 2024, Marsha Blackburn won reelection to a second Senate term against Gloria Johnson.

2024: Speculation of running mate for Donald Trump

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