Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is quietly positioning for a potential political comeback in Tennessee, with multiple sources indicating he is interested in the Senate seat that would open if Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) wins her gubernatorial bid next week. The move comes as Hegseth faces mounting scrutiny from congressional Democrats who could target him with impeachment if they retake the House.
Two sources familiar with the matter told The Hill that Hegseth, a former Army National Guard major, is eyeing the seat, which would be up for grabs in a special election. A third source said Hegseth has been actively campaigning behind the scenes, while a fourth with ties to the Pentagon called his interest an "open secret."
The chatter has intensified amid speculation inside the Pentagon about how long Hegseth will remain in his post after the midterms, even if he avoids impeachment. Two sources who regularly interact with the building said questions about his tenure are swirling, particularly if Republicans face a tough election cycle fueled by the economic fallout from the Iran war—a conflict Hegseth has been one of the administration's most vocal proponents of.
Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson dismissed the reports as "beltway gossip by anonymous sources," adding that those feeding such claims are "either badly misinformed or deliberately leading you astray to peddle Fake News." She emphasized that under President Trump, Hegseth's "singular priority is leading the War Department and delivering on the President's America First agenda."
Hegseth's ties to Tennessee are not new. In 2022, he purchased a home in Goodlettsville, about 15 miles north of Nashville, and he previously ran for Senate in his native Minnesota in 2012, though he lost the Republican nomination. His recent visit to the Volunteer State as part of the "Send Me Tour"—where he spoke to ROTC cadets, administered enlistment oaths, and attended the Tennessee-Alabama football game—has only fueled speculation.
At the Oct. 17 event, Hegseth told recruits that the U.S. military deserves the Nobel Peace Prize every year, citing "peace through strength" as the reason Americans enjoy freedoms like attending football games. His appearance, complete with a Tennessee-orange longsleeve under a light-blue polo, did little to dampen talk of political ambitions.
Blackburn, who holds a commanding lead in polls over Democrat Jerri Green, has said she would remain in her Senate seat until a successor is sworn in if she wins the governorship. Her campaign manager, Abigail Sigler, said the senator is "squarely focused" on next week's election and has had no discussions about a replacement, adding there is no "short list."
Tennessee GOP operative Monty Lankford believes Hegseth would be a formidable candidate. "I certainly think Pete Hegseth is going to be the guy that is going to have the most weight in the room," Lankford said, citing his role as Secretary of War and likely presidential endorsement.
Other potential contenders include Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.), former CoreCivic CEO Damon Hininger, and Glenn Jacobs, the former Knox County mayor. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (R-Tenn.) has also expressed interest, saying he would be "honored to have that" seat.
The speculation comes as House Democrats weigh impeachment proceedings against Hegseth, with several telling The Hill they support Rep. Thomas Massie's (R-Ky.) privileged resolution, which is expected to come to a vote during the lame-duck session. Democrats have criticized Hegseth for lethal strikes on alleged drug boats, lack of transparency during the Iran conflict, and the firing of over a dozen senior military officers—a move that has also rankled some Republicans. For more on the political fallout, see Hegseth's latest Pentagon shakeup and House Democratic leader's careful stance on impeachment.
