Former U.S. Rep. Stephen Fincher says he's dropping out of his race for the Senate and thinks incumbent Bob Corker should change his mind and get in the race.
Fincher has been opposed by U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn in the Republican primary. Former Gov. Phil Bredesen is running on the Democratic side.
The Chattanooga Times Free Press reports Fincher said the GOP should support a candidate who can win the general election against Bredesen.
In the midst of an ongoing public feud with President Trump, Corker announced last fall he wouldn't seek re-election to a third term. The former Chattanooga mayor has said in recent days that some Tennessseans are asking him to reconsider.
Fincher released the following statement:
My campaign has always been about what's best for Tennessee. Tennessee families need a strong conservative voice in the Senate, someone who will stand with President Trump and lead the Republican Party forward. The party must get behind a candidate that can win in November and stop Democrat Phil Bredesen, who would be a rubber stamp for the Chuck Schumer liberal agenda. For that reason, I believe Senator Bob Corker should continue to serve in the U.S. Senate, and stand with the President to fight for Tennessee families.
The Bredesen for Senate Campaign released the statement below:
"These candidates are campaigning like they govern in Washington--name-calling and dividing--which is why Governor Bredesen's track-record and get-things-done attitude is resonating with Tennesseans. Whether he is in Memphis or Mountain City, Governor Bredesen is making his case for getting Congress back to basics. He is in this race to be an advocate for the people of Tennessee in the Senate, not to run against anyone."-- Alyssa Hansen, Press Secretary
The following statement was released by Marsha Blackburn's campaign:
“Marsha Blackburn has always been the clear favorite of Tennessee families in both the primary and general election and now Republicans can focus all of our efforts defeating Chuck Schumer’s number one recruit Phil Bredesen in November.”
