Rep. Blackburn on Reese Witherspoon's new baby: 'He's got a great name to carry'

Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) is pretty pleased with the name Reese Witherspoon picked out for her baby boy.

The “Water for Elephants” actress, 36, gave birth to her first child with husband Jim Toth on Thursday, according to her publicist. Witherspoon has two other children from her previous marriage, to Ryan Phillippe.

Witherspoon, who grew up in the Volunteer State, named her newborn Tennessee James Toth.

Blackburn tells ITK in an email, “Reese is a great Nashville girl who loves her home state.”

The congresswoman predicts baby Tennessee has big things in his future: “He’s got a great name to carry. Our state is home to great leaders and he will no doubt be one of them. I'm looking forward to Reese bringing Tennessee home to his namesake!"

Rep. Stephen Fincher (R-Tenn.) echoed Blackburn’s statements about Witherspoon’s bundle of joy in an email to ITK, writing, “I’m confident Tennessee will grow up to have the courage of Davey Crockett, talents of Elvis Presley and statesmanship of Howard Baker.”

The “Legally Blonde” star, who’s a descendant of John Witherspoon — one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence — generally stays mum when it comes to politics. The entertainer has donated thousands of dollars to Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) over the years, according to the Center for Responsive Politics website.

—Grace Mahan contributed to this report.

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