Marsha Blackburn rules out Pete Hegseth for Tennessee Senate seat, blocking his impeachment escape

Tennessee Governor-elect Marsha Blackburn will not appoint Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to her vacant U.S. Senate seat, eliminating a potential escape from impeachment for Hegseth, according to the Nashville Banner. Blackburn's sources confirmed a short list of four candidates, including Glenn Jacobs, Rep. Tim Burchett, Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, and Deputy Gov. Stuart McWhorter. A source close to Blackburn denied any discussions about Hegseth, stating "D.C. won't pick the next senator." The appointee will serve through 2028, with incumbency advantage in the next election. The seat's appeal may be diminished following a Democratic wave that flipped both chambers of Congress this week.