State Senator Mae Beavers (R-Mt. Juliet) says she has made no decision yet about whether she will run for the Tennessee Republican nomination for Governor in 2018.
“Lots of people are asking if I am running for Governor. Despite what the Tennessean says, I have NOT decided whether or not I will enter the race,” Beavers told The Tennessee Star late Friday evening.
“Voters across our state are looking for a Governor who doesn’t just talk conservative at election time but who will be a bold, clear leader on conservative issues once they are in office,” she added.
“I have consistently provided conservative leadership from the County Commission to the State House to the State Senate, and I am truly humbled and blessed that so many want to see me bring those same values to the Governor’s office. My family and I are listening, praying, and soon enough we will be deciding,” Beavers concluded.
Earlier on Friday afternoon, Beavers posted this on Facebook:
Due to a scheduling conflict, Beavers did not attend Thursday’s Rutherford County GOP Reagan Day Dinner where two announced candidates for Governor–businessmen Randy Boyd and Bill Lee– and two potential candidates–Congresswoman Diane Black and State Senator Mark Green (R-Clarksville) were featured speakers.
Green, who was nominated by President Trump to become the Secretary of the Army but withdrew from consideration after he was criticized by LGBT and Islamic groups, has said he will announce whether or not he will become a candidate for Governor by Memorial Day.
Two other potential Gubernatorial candidates–State Senator Mark Norris (R-Collierville) and Speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives Beth Harwell (R-Nashville)–also did not attend Thursday’s event.
Norris had a scheduling conflict with an event in his district, and Harwell flew to Colorado to be with her sister, who had a very serious medical emergency, a broken back.
