Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN) has endorsed Congresswoman and Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate Marsha Blackburn (R-TN-07). In a statement issued by Alexander, and posted in social media, Alexander said:
“I have supported Marsha Blackburn as a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives, and I support her again as a candidate for the United States Senate. She has served Tennesseans well. I look forward to working with her to make the Senate a more effective institution.”
In response to the endorsement, Blackburn said: “Lamar is a true public servant, and I am continually grateful for his support. I look forward to working with him in the U.S. Senate to pass the President’s agenda. Together, we will effectively serve Tennesseans and fight for our shared Tennessee values.”
Meanwhile Senator Bob Corker (R-TN), who is vacating the seat that Blackburn is seeking, remains unwilling to follow Alexander’s lead.
In late February, after Corker again decided not to seek reelection, he refused to answer a reporter’s question regarding an endorsement for Blackburn. Soon after, a Corker spokesman said: “The senator does not typically get involved in primaries but has always planned to support the nominee.” Yesterday, speaking to reporters, Corker reiterated his intent to “support the Republican nominee.”
Last week, Congresswoman Diane Black (R-TN-06) , who is running for Governor, announced her endorsement of Blackburn. “I’ve served alongside Marsha in the state legislature and in Congress and have always known her to be a fighter and a passionate champion for conservative causes and I support her 100%,” said Black in a statement, adding, “We need Marsha Blackburn in the U.S. Senate to protect our majority, support President Trump’s agenda, and make sure that we can confirm new conservative Supreme Court justices to the bench.”
The other Republicans running for Governor–Knoxville businessman Rand Boyd, Speaker of the Tennessee House Beth Harwell (R-Nashville), and Williamson County businessman Bill Lee did not endorse Blackburn, though Lee’s campaign noted that he has donated money to her campaign and “supports her.”
I am not too crazy about Lamar, but he made a good choice in Marsha.
I’m not sure RINO Alexander’s support is enough. According to a MTSU poll, Bredesen leads by 10 points, then Blackburn has the baggage of the opioid epidemic to deal with and $732M campaign funds from the drug companies. I had rather she be elected than Bredesen, but I think the GOP will lose control of the Senate!. We gave them control and they failed us.
Thank you, Senator Alexander. You have done a very fine thing in announcing your support for Marsha. She will be an excellent United States Senator. You will be delighted to have her as your colleague.
And he would do an even better job by announcing his resignation from the Senate in order to provide an opportunity for the state to elect a real conservative.