NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Tennessee State Representative Gloria Johnson has launched her campaign for the United States Senate seat currently held by Republican Marsha Blackburn.
The Democrat from Knoxville made a series of announcements Tuesday, including a stop in Nashville at Centennial Park. She also stopped in Knoxville and Memphis.
"People are hurting and everyone is talking, but no one is listening to them." said Johnson. "I plan to do that. I plan to listen."
Johnson also said, if elected, she plans to fight for common sense gun legislation, women's rights, unions and Tennessee families.
"We’ve got to talk about the fact that in Tennessee, women are no longer equal," said Johnson.
Johnson is known as a member of the Tennessee Three after she joined fellow Democratic state representatives Justin Jones and Justin Pearson to protest against gun violence on the House floor.
Despite the national attention she received as a result of her actions, NewsChannel5 Political Analyst Pat Nolan said she faces an uphill battle to win the U.S. senate seat.
"Any Democrat in this state right now would have a difficult time winning a statewide race," said Nolan.
The last Democrat to hold a state office was Phil Bredesen in 2006, and the last time a Democrat won a senate seat was in 1995.
In the 2018 senate race, Blackburn beat former Gov. Phil Bredesen by nearly 11%.
Almost immediately after Johnson's announcement, Blackburn posted a video on social media calling Johnson a "far left Democrat" and "woke."
A spokesperson for Blackburn also released a full statement:
"It’s no surprise that radical socialist Gloria Johnson decided to jump into the race at the urging of liberals in Washington, joining Marquita Bradshaw and others in the race for the Democratic nomination. State Rep. Johnson is as woke as they come, and she would be a puppet for Joe Biden, the Squad, and Chuck Schumer in the Senate. While Senator Blackburn is working hard to fight back against Biden’s woke agenda, State Rep. Johnson is pushing that divisive, destructive agenda here in Tennessee. Tennesseans deserve a United States Senator who is committed to fighting for our conservative values. Senator Blackburn will continue her record of getting things done and fighting for Tennessee families.”
Based on the initial reaction, Nolan said he expects the campaign to get contentious.
"I wouldn’t be surprised if they mix it up a bit," said Nolan. "On what and when, and how soon it will start, I don’t know, but it could start sooner rather than later."
In the Democratic primary, Johnson will face off against community activist Marquita Bradshaw. Currently, there is no Republican challenger for Blackburn.
The primary election will take place on Aug. 1, 2024, and election day is Nov. 5, 2024.
