Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) is seeking an appointment to the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Marsha Blackburn, who won Tennessee's gubernatorial election and is preparing to take office in January 2027. Burchett says he is prepared to serve if Blackburn selects him, but he also intends to run for the seat in 2028 if another Republican receives the appointment.

"It's totally up to her. I've prayed about it. I'd ABSOLUTELY take on that role. And if not, I would absolutely run for it in two years," Burchett said during a television interview Sunday.

The congressman also pointed to his fundraising and political organization across Tennessee as reasons he believes he could mount a statewide campaign. He claimed he is polling in the double digits above other potential candidates and said he raised $1 million during the previous fundraising quarter.

Blackburn has indicated that she intends to appoint her own successor after becoming governor. She plans to remain in the Senate until she is sworn into office, allowing her to make the appointment herself rather than leaving the decision to outgoing Gov. Bill Lee. The timing of her resignation will be important because Tennessee law gives the sitting governor authority to fill a Senate vacancy.

The appointee would serve until the 2028 election, when Tennessee voters will choose someone to complete the remainder of Blackburn's Senate term. That term runs through January 2031, with the next regular election for a full six-year term scheduled for 2030.

Burchett has previously expressed interest in the appointment and said he would campaign against whoever Blackburn selects if he does not receive it. Other Republicans who have been mentioned as potential successors include former Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs and Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN). The Associated Press has also reported that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is not currently under consideration for the position