Sen. Blackburn, Democrat ‘Tennessee Three’ Challenger Rake in Millions in Early 2024 Fundraising

Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) speaks at a news conference on the Supreme Court at the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, on July 19, 2023. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

The race for the U.S. Senate in Tennessee is picking up steam as fundraising numbers for the 2024 election cycle were unveiled by the leading candidates this week.

Democrat State Rep. Gloria Johnson and incumbent Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn have both released their fundraising totals for the early part of the campaign, providing a glimpse into the financial prowess of their respective campaigns. Both candidates noted fundraising in the seven-figure range.

Ms. Johnson, who officially launched her U.S. Senate campaign on September 5, announced a notable first-quarter fundraising total of $1.3 million.

Meanwhile, incumbent Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn demonstrated her financial strength, announcing that she raised a substantial total of $2.7 million between her campaign and Blackburn Tennessee Victory Fund for her reelection efforts in the third quarter.

Johnson Rakes in Funds

Ms. Johnson is a retired special education teacher who gained national attention after being one of three Tennessee Democrats, known now as “The Tennessee Three,” who were subject to being ousted from the state House of Representatives after staging a gun control protest on the House floor in the wake of the deadly Covenant School shooting in Nashville.

Ms. Johnson, a white woman, was narrowly saved from being ousted from her state House seat—while her two black male colleagues were removed from office by the Republican supermajority and subsequently reelected by their districts.

According to her campaign, the funds raised are an impressive achievement because it “marks the most significant sum raised in the first quarter by a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Tennessee since 1982 and possibly ever.”

Ms. Johnson’s campaign received an impressive 25,365 contributions, with an average donation of just $51.27. Her campaign said these contributions came from individuals in all 95 Tennessee counties and all 50 states.

Gloria Johnson, D-Knoxville, left, Justin Jones, center, and Justin Pearson arrive at Fisk University in Nashville, Tenn., on Friday, April 7, 2023, where they are meeting with Vice President Kamala Harris. Jones and Pearson were expelled from the Tennessee House of Representatives the day before. Johnson survived an effort to expel her. Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean via AP

“We are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support—we are building a true multi-generational, multi-racial coalition that puts everyday people and working families back in charge,” said Gloria Johnson. “The support we’ve seen this quarter is a testament to the power of grassroots organizing and the desire for effective, principled leadership in the Senate. I am committed to delivering results for the people of Tennessee and I’ll work my tail off to make sure their voices are heard in Washington.”

Federal Election Commission filings did not yet show data for the candidate to quantify where the majority of the funds raised by Johnson originated from. The Epoch Times reached out to the Johnson campaign for comment but did not hear back.

Marquita Bradshaw, the 2020 Democratic nominee for Tennessee’s other U.S. Senate seat, who lost to now-Sen. Bill Hagerty in 2020, is also a contender in the Democratic primary race. This dynamic primary sets the stage for an intriguing showdown in the 2024 election.

Blackburn Outraises Johnson So Far

Senator Blackburn’s campaign now boasts over $6.5 million in cash on hand, signaling that she is well-positioned to secure a second term in office.

Tennesseans from all 95 counties contributed to Senator Blackburn’s reelection efforts, with an average online donation of $20.04. Nationally, there were over 77,738 online donations.

“I am so grateful to all the Tennesseans across the state who have graciously donated to our campaign to keep Tennessee, Tennessee,” said Ms. Blackburn. “The conservative values and principles that define the Volunteer State are worth fighting for, and every donation helps us keep Tennessee red come next November.”

In 2018, Blackburn secured a victory against popular former Democrat Governor Phil Bredesen, winning by nearly 11 points. Mr. Bredesen had previously won two terms as governor, carrying all of the state’s 95 counties in his reelection campaign, indicating shifting political dynamics in Tennessee in the past two decades.

Sign of Things to Come

The campaign battle lines are already drawn, with the Blackburn campaign quick to respond to Johnson’s announcement, branding her as a “radical socialist” and a “puppet” for national Democrats.

Ms. Blackburn’s spokesperson, Abigail Sigler, stated, “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.”

Senator Blackburn herself emphasized the ideological differences, saying, “My opponent is a direct threat to our way of life. So I’m asking you directly to make a meaningful donation to defeat her.”

Tennessee hasn’t been represented by a Democrat in the U.S. Senate since 1995.

Meanwhile, Ms. Johnson has painted Ms. Blackburn as bad for women because of her record and stance on abortion and equal pay. She also criticized the first-term senator as primarily representing the interests of “billionaires and corporations” rather than working-class Tennesseans.

The stage is set for an intense campaign as these two candidates vie for control of one of Tennessee’s Senate seats in the 2024 election.