Marsha Blackburn wins Tennessee governor’s race

Republican Marsha Blackburn won Tennessee’s gubernatorial race, defeating Democrat Jerri Green and becoming the state’s first woman governor, according to unofficial results and the election call. The Associated Press declared Blackburn the winner after polls closed Tuesday. Green, a Memphis City Council member, conceded. Final unofficial results cited by the Tennessee Secretary of State put Blackburn at 45.6% of the vote, Green at 43% and independent David Hatley at 9.3%. Blackburn did not receive a majority. Blackburn, a U.S. senator, said in her victory remarks that she would begin assembling an administration team Wednesday. She identified affordable housing, crime, election security, education choices and lower property taxes among her priorities. Those remarks outline her stated agenda as she prepares to succeed Republican Gov. Bill Lee, who is term-limited. Blackburn has said she plans to remain in the Senate until she takes office as governor in January, then appoint a successor to serve the remaining two years of her Senate term. Tennessee allows governors to appoint someone to a Senate vacancy if a senator resigns, according to the account of state law in the...