Report: Blackburn testing waters for 2016

Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) might consider running for president in 2016, one of her aides told RealClearPolitics (RCP). 

The Republican is scheduled to speak at the “Freedom Summit” in New Hampshire this weekend, hosted by conservative groups Citizens United and Americans for Prosperity. 

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

No Republican woman has expressed interest yet about running for the GOP ticket in 2016.

{mosads}“There is kind of a void to fill there,” the Blackburn aide said of the potential GOP presidential field. “Whenever there’s been a need for leadership or someone to get out there and fight the fight, she’s always been the first in line and she’s not afraid of it. She’s not afraid to go toe to toe with anybody.”  

Blackburn was elected to Congress in 2002, and would be 64 years old at the time of the next presidential election.

As the vice chairwoman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, she has been one of the most outspoken critics in Congress of ObamaCare. Blackburn also serves on the House Budget Committee and is a founding member of the Republican Women’s Policy Committee.

“Marsha Blackburn has been a conservative warrior in the House and we are excited to see her here in the Granite State in front of many grassroots activists at the Freedom Summit,” Citizens United President David Bossie said in a statement to RCP. “Marsha is a serious legislator who should not be overlooked on the national scene.”

Other possible 2016 contenders are also slated to speak at this weekend’s event in New Hampshire including Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (R).