REPORT: WWE Icon Emerges as Favorite to Replace Tennessee’s Marsha Blackburn in U.S. Senate

by Ben Kew Nov. 7, 2026 11:00 am



Terry Jacobs, otherwise known as Kane, is among the favorites to replace Marsha Blackburn In Tennessee. Credit: Wikimedia CommonsWWE legend Glenn Jacobs, better known to millions of wrestling fans as Kane, has reportedly emerged as the favorite to replace Sen. Marsha Blackburn in the U.S. Senate after her election as governor of Tennessee.

Jacobs, who recently completed two terms as mayor of Knox County, is considered the frontrunner for the appointment, according to The Washington Sun, which cited multiple Republican operatives and people familiar with the discussions.

Independent reporting has also identified Jacobs as one of the leading contenders for the seat.

Al Weaver
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Say hello to your frontrunner to replace Marsha Blackburn in the Senate: Glenn Jacobs, aka ex-WWE star KANEw/ @reporterjoe@kadiagoba


washingtonsun.com
A Former Pro Wrestler Could Be Tennessee’s Next Senator
State insiders say the people on the list of potential successors — which doesn't include Hegseth — have spent months helping Blackburn become governor.

Last edited4:18 PM · Nov 6, 2026

Blackburn is expected to vacate her Senate seat when she takes office as governor in January.

She has previously indicated that she intends to appoint her own successor, although she has so far declined to publicly discuss whom she will choose.

Jacobs, 59, played a major role in Blackburn’s gubernatorial campaign, serving as her campaign treasurer and campaigning across Tennessee on her behalf.

The WWE Hall of Famer has already confirmed that he would be interested in the job.

“Obviously it’s a huge honor for me, so I would consider it very seriously,” Jacobs said last month when asked about a potential appointment.

Jacobs became one of professional wrestling’s most recognizable stars during his decades-long WWE career.

He performed as the masked “Big Red Machine” Kane and winning multiple world championships before entering Republican politics.

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NEW: Glenn Jacobs, also known as WWE’s Kane, is reportedly among the favourites to be appointed as the next US Senator from Tennessee Republican Marsha Blackburn is set to resign the seat following her election as Governor

#Midterms2026






7:59 PM · Nov 6, 2026

His competition for the seat is expected to include Rep. Tim Burchett, Deputy Gov. Stuart McWhorter and Rep. Chuck Fleischmann.

Burchett has openly expressed interest and has spent much of the past year campaigning alongside Blackburn across the state.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had also been floated as a possible candidate amid speculation over his future in the Trump administration.

However, multiple reports now indicate that Hegseth is no longer under consideration for the appointment.

President Trump has previously offered glowing praise of Jacobs, writing earlier this year that the former wrestler has a “BIG political future in Tennessee” and describing him as a “great guy.”

If appointed, Jacobs would serve until Tennessee voters choose a successor in a special election in 2028.

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/202...ce-tennessees/