Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) tried to duck questions at an event this week, but she was undermined – by an elevator. “I just had the most awkward interaction with Sen. Marsha Blackburn,” journalist Ben Hall of NewsChannel 5, the CBS affiliate in Nashville, said in a segment posted online. Hall said he was invited to a Blackburn event and was told she would take questions from reporters. When she didn’t, he followed her into a hallway and asked about her bid for governor.“I am here on federal time,” Blackburn said as she waited for an elevator. “Well, you are refusing to debate your Republican opponents,” Hall said. “Why won’t you debate your Republican opponents?”“We’re talking to Tennesseans every single day,” said Blackburn, who hasn’t held an in-person town hall event since 2017. “Every single day.” Although Hall asked more questions, Blackburn delivered the same answer every time. Sen. Marsha Blackburn is a close ally of President Donald Trump, who is seen giving her a hug in this Sept. 27, 2024 file photo. Associated Press, File“Do you support subsidies for companies like Starbucks?” Hall asked, referring to a widely criticized deal between the state and the coffee company. “We’re talking to Tennesseans every single day,” Blackburn said. “Thank you.”“Are you uncomfortable talking about issues surrounding this campaign? Then why won’t you sit down and do interviews?” Hall asked. “We’ve asked you for interviews multiple times.”“We talk to Tennesseans every day,” she said. Hall said this went on for “an incredibly awkward one minute and 24 seconds” before the elevator arrived. “I think she thought she was in the clear,” he said. “But clearly, the elevator had other plans.” Once Blackburn was inside, the doors popped back open, giving Hall another opportunity to ask a question, which Blackburn also refused to answer. Check out the awkward encounter below: RelatedTennesseeStarbucks2026 electionsMarsha Blackburn