Change In The Air As Elected Officials Announce Future Campaign Plans
Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tennessee, made headlines across the nation when he announced he would not seek a third term in the Senate on Sept. 26. His announcement surprised many, but it also set off an immediate scramble among journalists and officials to determine possible replacements.
But while Sen. Corker may have made the biggest splash, he’s far from the only elected official in the state making announcements. With help from TTA’s lobbying team, The Capitol Strategy Group, here is a rundown of which elected officials have announced retirement plans or aspirations for different offices next year.
US Senate
Corker’s decision to retire led to rumors of everyone from Peyton Manning to Tim McGraw eyeing a senatorial run in 2018. While Manning and other notables such as Gov. Bill Haslam have already declined any notion of running for the seat, others are already making their case to voters.
Declared Republican candidates:
Declared Democratic candidates:
Governor of Tennessee
Declared Republican Candidates:
Declared Democratic Candidates:
State lawmakers announcing future plans:
- Sen. Mark Green, R-Clarksville, announced he is running for Congress.
- Sen. Bill Ketron, R- Murfreesboro, has announced his plans to run for Rutherford County Mayor.
- Sen. Lee Harris, D-Memphis, has announced he will run for Shelby County Mayor.
- Sen. Mae Beavers, R-Mt. Juliet, has resigned from the Senate to run for governor.
- Rep. Brenda Gilmore, D-Nashville, has announced she is running for state Senate.
- Rep. Beth Harwell, R-Nashville, has announced she will run for governor.
- Rep. Harry Brooks, R-Knoxville, has announced he will retire.
- Rep. Roger Kane, R-Knoxville, has announced he will run for Knox County Clerk.
- Rep. Joe Pitts, D-Clarksville, will not seek re-election.
- Rep. Dawn White, R-Murfreesboro, has announced she will run for state Senate.
- Rep. Mark Pody, R-Lebanon, has announced plans to run for state Senate.
- Rep. Judd Matheny, R-Tullahoma, has announced plans to run for Congress.
- Rep. Craig Fitzhugh, D-Ripley, has announced plans to run for governor.
- Rep. David Alexander, R-Winchester, announced plans to run for Franklin County Mayor.
- Rep. Jimmy Matlock, R-Lenoir City, announced plans to run for Congress.
- Rep. Art Swann, R-Maryville, announced plans to run for state Senate.
- Rep. Marc Gravitt, R-East Ridge, has announced plans to run for election as Hamilton County Register of Deeds.
- Rep. Steve McDaniel, R-Parkers Crossroads, has announced plans to retire from the legislature.