Conservative Rep. Tim Burchett Alleges John Thune Is Working to Keep Him Out of the Senate
In the wake of Tuesday’s election in Tennessee, where voters made Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn the state’s newest governor, conservative Rep. Tim Burchett is already making the case to take her place.
And after the midterm electoral rout that saw Republicans lose their majorities in both houses of Congress, one argument that might resonate is Burchett’s claim that one of his biggest opponents is one of the most powerful Republicans in Washington — at least until January.
In an interview posted to social media on Monday, Burchett told conservative journalist Todd Starnes that Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota is against Burchett joining the upper chamber.
JUST IN: Sources tell me that John Thune is actively campaigning to stop Marsha Blackburn from naming Rep. Tim Burchett as her replacement in the U.S. Senate. Thune does not want Burchett anywhere near the Senate chamber. And that’s what makes Burchett the perfect choice! @timburchett
— toddstarnes (@toddstarnes) November 9, 2026
“Thune does not want Burchett anywhere near the Senate chamber,” Starnes wrote. “And that’s what makes Burchett the perfect choice!”
Here’s the audio of the conversation I had with Rep. Burchett on the show: https://t.co/UFLsQ2Lj8X
— toddstarnes (@toddstarnes) November 9, 2026
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Citing an “off the record” conversation with an individual he described as “fairly prominent member of the media,” Burchett said he’d been informed that Thune had “sent the word out that he does not want me, because I would not be, I would not, do what leadership told me to do type thing.”
“And I said, ‘You know what? You’re exactly right.”
Burchett has been an outspoken critic of the Senate’s Republican leadership, particularly its inability, or unwillingness, to pass the SAVE America Act.
So, is it possible that Thune wants to keep Burchett out of his Senate conference? Yes.
But on Monday, Washington Examiner congressional reporter David Spivak reported that Thune has not attempted to involve himself in the Tennessee Senate succession process.
Per source, Thune hasn’t had any conversations with Blackburn about her TN Senate seat and the appointment she’ll be making as governor. A second source familiar with the situation tells me Thune has never mentioned or asked about the appointment A source close to the Blackburn team also tells me she hasn’t started interviewing yet for the position On @toddstarnes radio show, Burchett says a “fairly prominent member of the media” told him “Thune had sent the word out that he does not want me” to replace Blackburn
— David Sivak (@DISivak) November 9, 2026
Still, just the idea that Thune — who’s no hero to many Republicans or the conservative Republican base — is attempting to stand in Burchett’s way was bringing Burchett plenty of support.
John Thune disapproving of Tim Burchett as a US Senator is all you need to know that Tim Burchett needs to be a Senator.
— DC_Draino (@DC_Draino) November 9, 2026
🚨John Thune is 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗱𝗹𝘆 campaigning to stop Marsha Blackburn from appointing Tim Burchett to the Senate. A 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗳𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗿 who has had this administration’s back, and Thune wants him 𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗮𝗿 the Senate. Now we know why Thune has been allowed to 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 on behalf of Schumer and the 𝗜𝘀𝗹𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗗𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗰𝗿𝗮𝘁 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘆. He doesn’t want fighters. He wants 𝘆𝗲𝘀-𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘆. And where are the rest of the Republican Senators? 𝗦𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁. 𝗔𝘀 𝘂𝘀𝘂𝗮𝗹. cc: @timburchett
— Kate (@kate_p45) November 9, 2026
WHAT? Thune is at it again!!! He hates Republican voters apparently!!!!!!!! WE LOVE TIM BURCHETT!!!!!!!!!!
— Blame Jane (@BlameJane1) November 9, 2026
According to a Nashville Banner report on Friday, Burchett is among four finalists Blackburn is considering for her current job.
The others are Glenn Jacobs, the former professional wrestler who is now mayor of Knox County; U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleishman, a 15-year veteran of the House; and Tennessee Deputy Gov. Stuart McWhorter.
Whoever is appointed will have to run in 2028 to win the seat outright.
In his interview with Starnes, Burchett praised the other contenders — “They’re all fine people, but I think I can do the job best.”
He also touted his own strengths, including polling leads and fundraising ability.
But he seemed proud of what he described as Thune’s opposition.
“I’m sure Thune, as a person, is a good guy, but I don’t think his leadership is what we need right now in the United States Senate,” he said.
“And I love the fact that he’s not for me.”
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