Pentagon denies report of Hegseth Senate bid

A report that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth may seek a Tennessee Senate appointment if Sen. Marsha Blackburn becomes governor has been denied by the Pentagon, and remains contingent on several unresolved political decisions. The reported possibility, described as Capitol Hill chatter, is that Blackburn could appoint Hegseth to her seat if she wins the Tennessee gubernatorial election and leaves the Senate. The reporting does not establish that Hegseth has decided to leave President Donald Trump’s Cabinet or that Blackburn has agreed to appoint him. The Pentagon has rejected the suggestion that Hegseth is seeking an exit to the Senate. Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson said Hegseth’s priority was leading the department. Chief spokesman Sean Parnell separately said the department remained focused on supporting service members. Those statements respond to speculation but do not establish Hegseth’s private intentions. The appointment scenario depends first on Blackburn winning the governor’s race and vacating her Senate seat. Republican Rep. Tim Burchett has also been reported as interested in the position and has campaigned for Blackburn, according to a person familiar...