Polls have closed in Tennessee’s Republican primary for governor, with U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn emerging as the party’s nominee, according to coverage of the contest. Blackburn, a conservative firebrand and prominent supporter of President Donald Trump, will now advance to the general election.
The primary drew attention because of Blackburn’s national profile and her campaign’s strongly conservative messaging. She also gained broader visibility through an advertisement criticizing the Chinese Communist Party, which circulated widely online.
The general election is expected to feature a contest between staunch Trump allies in a state that is firmly Republican. The outcome will determine who succeeds the current governor, though the available reports do not provide additional details about the opposing nominee or the general-election campaign.