News

Actions

Bredesen Will Make Senate Run Decision ‘In Next Few Weeks'

Posted at 1:41 PM, Oct 17, 2017
and last updated 2017-10-17 14:53:29-04

Former Governor Phil Bredesen said he’ll soon make a decision whether or not he’s considering a bid to succeed retiring Republican Bob Corker in the U.S. Senate.

In a statement to The Associated Press, Bredesen said he is mulling an entry into the race after several people urged him to reconsider his initial statements that he had no interest in running.

Bredesen, age 73, is a wealthy former Nashville mayor who was first elected governor in 2002. He’s the last Democrat to win a statewide race in Tennessee.

“It’s not something I ever contemplated doing but I’m concerned about where the country is going, maybe there’s a role for me to play, maybe not,” Bredesen said Tuesday. “We’ll decided in the next few weeks.”

Republican U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn jumped into the race shortly after Gov. Bill Haslam announced he wouldn’t run. Former Rep. Stephen Fincher is also considering a Republican bid.

Read More:
Democrat Bredesen Confirms Interest In Tenn. Senate Race