Marsha Blackburn becomes Tennessee's first female senator

Republican Congressman Marsha Blackburn became the first female senator of Tennessee in a historic win against her Democratic opponent and former governor Phil Bredesen, replacing Sen. Bob Corker.

The Associated Press called the race after Blackburn had received 62 percent of the votes.

Blackburn addressed her watch party attendees and voters around 9 p.m.

“I think that you’ve sent a really good message,” Blackburn said.

Blackburn also thanked President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence for their support. President Trump won Tennessee by 26 percentage points in the 2016 election.

Blackburn focused her campaign on supporting the president to appeal to the already red state.

Blackburn follows a strict conservative agenda including becoming more secure with border control, promoting pro-life and protecting the second amendment.

Bredesen addressed supporters in downtown Nashville after learning about the loss.

“Well, I’ve applied for the job, but I got a rejection letter,” Bredesen said to the crowd.

This loss comes as a blow to Democrats because they were hoping to flip a seat.

Corker released his statement on Twitter about Blackburn and Bredesen.

“I called tonight to congratulate Bill and Marsha on their hard-fought victories, as I shared with both of them privately, it has been the greatest privilege of my life to represent the people of Tennessee in the United States Senate,” Corker said.

“Tennesseans want a Conservative U.S. Senator who is going to take Tennessee’s values and put them to work for you in Washington D.C,” Blackburn said during her victory speech.

“Now in the future, you don’t have to worry if you are going to call me congressman or congresswomen, or congress lady. Now, senator will do,” Blackburn said followed by a round of applause.

Blackburn addressed how willing she is to “tackle the big problems.” She told the crowd that she is working to take the values that she, the president and vice president to D.C. to work on things that the people want to see done.

Blackburn was first elected to the House in 2002. She opened her campaign by dubbing herself a “hardcore, card-carrying Tennessee conservative.”

Blackburn will be a senator for the next six years, therefore, giving Tennessee at least one conservative-leaning Senator until 2024.

Featured image by Element5 Digital, Pexel

Edited by Vanessa Rodriguez