Tennessee representative Marsha Blackburn is firing back at Taylor Swift after the singer launched a broadside at her in endorsing her Democratic opponent in the race for the seat being vacated by Republican senator Bob Corker.
“She voted against the Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which attempts to protect women from domestic violence, stalking, and date rape,” the previously apolitical Swift wrote of Blackburn in a lengthy Instagram post over the weekend. “She believes businesses have a right to refuse service to gay couples. She also believes they should not have the right to marry. These are not MY Tennessee values.”
Blackburn took issue with that characterization of her record.
“Of course I support women and I want violence to end against women,” Blackburn told Fox Business on Tuesday. “I’ve been very active in abuse shelters and child-advocacy centers. I’ve been advocating for women and equal pay since I was 19 years old and making certain that women have the opportunity for maximum pay.”
“She is a talented young woman,” the congresswoman said of Swift, praising her advocacy for tax equity for songwriters. But she added that she believes Tennesseans are more interested in her own lengthy list of endorsements from the likes of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Fraternal Order of Police, the Police Benevolent Association, and the National Rifle Association.
“Let’s say that I like Taylor’s music about 25 percent less now,” Trump told reporters on Monday when asked about the controversy. “She’s a tremendous woman,” he said of Blackburn. “I’m sure Taylor Swift doesn’t know anything about her.”