After weeks of speculation, Governor Bill Haslam announced Thursday morning he will not seek to replace retiring U. S. Senator Bob Corker in 2018.
WSMV reports:
Gov. Bill Haslam has announced he will not be running for the U.S. Senate, saying he wants to remain “completely focused” on his job as governor.
Haslam previously announced he was “considering” campaigning to fill Sen. Bob Corker’s seat.
Haslam said at the end of his term he will have been in public office for 15 years and feels like he will be “most helpful” as a private citizen.
Governor Haslam published his announcement on Twitter:
My statement on the 2018 U.S. Senate race. pic.twitter.com/1pLR0MhSEd
— Bill Haslam (@BillHaslam) October 5, 2017
DEVELOPING…Â
It appears that the Governor has realized that his less than conservative behavior as governor would lead to defeat in a race for the Senate. He and Corker can go count their money and leave us alone.