Politics

Blackburn congressional campaign pushes back on presidential bid rumor

Font Size:

Tennessee Republican Rep. Marsha Blackburn’s congressional campaign pushed back on a report Friday that the congresswoman is “testing the waters” for a possible 2016 presidential run.

“She is running to represent the people of the TN 7th Congressional district,” Blackburn Congressional campaign spokesperson Darcy Anderson said in an emailed statement to The Daily Caller. “She is a proven legislator and a national thought leader who will talk about the right path for our country.”

Blackburn is on the speaker list at a New Hampshire Republican event, alongside a number of possible 2016 Republican presidential contenders this weekend. Friday Real Clear Politics quoted an unnamed Blackburn aide saying that if she sees an opening, she will be considering a run for president in 2016.

“If there’s a door to kick down, she’s willing to kick it down,” the aide told RCP on condition of anonymity.  “These are the kinds of events you go to — test the waters, and see what the reaction is.”

According to Anderson, Blackburn is not looking to test anything.

“She’s not going to New Hampshire to test anything. We don’t need any tests to tell us that the country is not on the right path,” she explained. “Tomorrow you will hear her talk about freedom, liberty, Gibson guitars, and keeping the government out of our wallets and emails.”

Follow Caroline on Twitter