CLARKSVILLE, Tennessee–State Senator Mark Green (R-Clarksville) endorsed Rep. Diane Black (R-TN-06) for governor at his Red, White, and Blues Barbecue event held at the Old Glory Distilling Company in Clarksville on Saturday night.
Green told the enthusiastic crowd of 300 supporters in attendance that, while he is friends with all four of the candidates for governor in the Republican primary election for governor that will be held in just over four weeks on August 2, he believes that Black is the best person for the job.
“Diane Black is a conservative fighter. She has a very conservative record,” Green began.
“She helped President Trump write the tax cuts, just six months ago. She helped get that done,” he added.
“We’ve got a great field of candidates for governor, and I consider every single one of them a friend,” the former Army doctor noted.
“But the issues that are pressing our state and our nation, we need a conservative fighter, and clearly the best candidate for that job is Diane Black,” Green continued.
“Cami and I have decided that we will be supporting and casting our vote for Diane Black for Governor,” Green concluded.
Black took the stage briefly after receiving Green’s endorsement.
“Mark’s entire life has been about serving others, from his constituency to our country. He has fought to protect our values, honor our veterans and secure our borders. I am honored to call him a friend, and I am proud to have his support,” she responded.
You can watch Green’s endorsement of Black here:
Green is running for the Republican nomination to succeed Rep. Marsha Black (R-TN-07) to represent the 7th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He has no substantive opponents in the August 2 primary, and is heavily favored to win the November general election.
Blackburn is the presumptive Republican nominee in the U.S. Senate race to succeed Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN). She will face presumptive Democratic nominee Phil Bredesen in the November election.
In addition to Rep. Black, Knoxville businessman Randy Boyd, Williamson County businessman Bill Lee, and Tennessee Speaker of the House of Representatives Beth Harwell (R-Nashville) are seeking the Republican nomination for governor. The winner of the August 2 primary will face the winner of the Democratic primary held on the same day. In that primary, former Nashville Mayor Karl Dean is heavily favored to defeat State Rep. Craig Fitzhugh (D-Ripley).
A Tennessee Star Poll released on Friday of likely Republican primary voters shows Boyd leading Black by 5 points, 32 percent to 27 percent. Bill Lee is a close third, with 20 percent, and Speaker Harwell is a distant fourth, with 7 percent. Thirteen percent are undecided with just a little more than four weeks until the primary election.
This was a really stupid thing for Sen. Green to do. Once elected to congress he has to represent Williamson County. Mark does know that Williamson County is in his district, right? Does he not know that Bill Lee is a Williamson County resident and is expected to win Williamson County. Mark Green seems to be a political brick shy of a full load. I am sure when Randy Boyd wins this thing Mark will go running to him with a max out contribution.
Wannabe career politician supporting a career politician.
I am not a big Black fan, but she has my vote over Boyd and Lee. Harwell is a non-entity that is an embarrassment to the GOP Party.
Mark’s perhaps a bit early but it looks like conservatives are going to have to unite behind Diane or face eight years needless struggle under the Governorship of Randy! Boyd. Given the mediocrity of the other choices and the downside of centrist Randy! unity should not be that difficult in this particular race.
What a shame. Assume this means Mark will be selling out to congressional leadership just like Diane did to Paul Ryan
Disappointing to see Mark cant recognize swamp creatures. Hope he is more discerning in DC.
agree
Data, this is plain and simply more data. “Diane Black is a conservative fighter. She has a very conservative record,” Green began. If DB is what Mark thinks is Conservative, we have problems!
Is DB a member of the House Freedom Caucus? No, well if she’s a “fighter” and a “conservative”, why not? Where was DB while Obama was ramming ObamaCare down our throats? Can I see YouTube videos of her fighting against it like Ted Cruz did? No, she was standing right behind John Boehner, afraid to stand up for her constituents!
This is not conservatism. And this is NOT leadership! And Diane Black is not our best choice for Governor!
No, with do respect to Mark, Diane is not “. . .a conservative fighter. . . .” nor does “She [have] a very conservative record” but she does have a 78% from Heritage and an 80% from the Club for Growth which establishes her as a tepid conservative on the warmish side. She also has a long record in elected office so we know exactly what we are getting which is the least we should know when electing someone to the highest office in this state.
Bill Lee, on the other hand, is running for the highest office in this state without ever holding elected or appointed office. An absurdity on its face made even worse by the fact that he has never said anything that anyone can remember about his political philosophy or opinion which should make him almost unacceptable to conservatives unless he is our only chance to avoid a Governor Randy!.
Conservatives, have you ever noticed how liberals are rarely disappointed by the candidates they elect not being liberal? It’s because they wouldn’t dream of even nominating anyone bereft of credentials like Bill Lee!
Diane black was just endorsed by cpac