WWE Hall of Famer and former Knox County mayor Glenn Jacobs — known to wrestling fans as Kane — has “reportedly emerged as the favorite” to replace U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn after her election as governor of Tennessee, according to The Gateway Pundit, which cites The Washington Sun’s account based on multiple Republican operatives and people familiar with the discussions.
What’s driving the chatter
The Gateway Pundit reports that Blackburn is expected to vacate her Senate seat when she takes office in January and has previously indicated she intends to appoint her own successor, though she has not publicly named a choice.
According to the same report, Jacobs recently completed two terms as Knox County mayor and played a major role in Blackburn’s gubernatorial bid, serving as her campaign treasurer and campaigning statewide on her behalf. The outlet notes that Jacobs, 59, has signaled interest in an appointment, quoting him last month as saying, “Obviously it’s a huge honor for me, so I would consider it very seriously.”
Who else is in the mix
The Gateway Pundit lists Rep. Tim Burchett, Deputy Gov. Stuart McWhorter, and Rep. Chuck Fleischmann among expected competitors for the appointment, adding that Burchett has openly expressed interest and frequently campaigned alongside Blackburn.
The outlet also writes that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had been floated amid speculation over his future in the Trump administration, but that “multiple reports” now indicate he is no longer under consideration.
Signals on X and past praise
Al Weaver posted on X on Nov. 6, 2026, calling Jacobs the “frontrunner” to replace Blackburn and linking to additional reporting. The Politics US account similarly posted on Nov. 7 that Jacobs was “among the favourites” for an appointment. These posts are not official confirmations.
The Gateway Pundit adds that President Trump previously praised Jacobs earlier this year, writing that the former wrestler has a “BIG political future in Tennessee” and calling him a “great guy.”
What happens next
According to The Gateway Pundit, if appointed, Jacobs would serve until Tennessee voters select a successor in a special election in 2028.
Note: All claims above are attributed to The Gateway Pundit and the sources it cites. No official appointment decisions have been announced.
