Blackburn, now running for Tennessee governor, urges return of electric chair after failed execution

Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., who is seeking the governor's mansion, called for the return of the electric chair as a method of execution in the wake of the failed execution of Christa Pike this week.

Pike survived lethal injection this week after the Supreme Court allowed her execution to go forward. She was convicted 30 years ago of a 1995 murder of her classmate. Blackburn, reacting to the failed execution, suggested using a more time-tested method.

"This situation is tragic. Christa Pike should have been executed long ago. Now, this botched process is extending the pain for the family of Colleen Slemmer," she posted on X. "While there should be a thorough review of what happened and why the process failed, the answer is simple: bring back the electric chair and deliver justice for these victims swiftly. As your governor, I will do just that."

Tennessee currently allows inmates on death row to choose between the electric chair and lethal injection. Some states, facing problems with lethal injection, have embraced older methods of execution, including the firing squad.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.