Marsha Blackburn wins Tennessee governor's race

Republican U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn won the Tennessee governor's race on Tuesday, saying in her victory speech it is time to get to work.

With votes still being counted and the race called, Blackburn led Democrat Jerri Green 45.57%-42.9%. Independent David Hatley had 9.31% of the vote. Only one of the remaining gubernatorial candidates had more than 1%. Lauren Pinkston had received 1.25%.

"As your governor, I will tap the best and the brightest to be a part of our administration to ensure we move Tennessee forward," Blackburn said. "We will do this together, because everyone has something they can do to make the best state even better."

Blackburn was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2018. She served as Tennessee's 7th Congressional District representative from 2003-19. Before that, she was a Tennessee state senator from 1999 to 2003.

Green, a member of the Memphis City Council, conceded the race.

Tennessee is one of 34 states that allow their governors to appoint someone to a U.S. Senate seat if a senator resigns, according to Congress.gov. If Blackburn remains in the Senate until she is sworn in as governor in January, she will pick her replacement. Blackburn has two years remaining in her term.