US Sen. Lamar Alexander will not seek re-election in 2020
After roughly a quarter century in elected office, U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander will retire.
The former Republican governor, who has served in the Senate since first being elected in 2002, said Monday that he will not seek a fourth term in the upper chamber.
“I will not be a candidate for re-election to the United State Senate in 2020,” said Alexander.
His decision means for the second time in two years, Tennessee will have an open U.S. Senate race.
Like U.S. Sen. Bob Corker, who last year declined to run for a third term, Alexander’s announcement will send shockwaves throughout Tennessee’s political landscape.
Contenders will line up for 2020 campaign
Although it is not clear who may vie for the seat, contenders could include Gov. Bill Haslam and incoming U.S. Rep. Mark Green.
Haslam flirted with the idea of running for the Senate when Corker announced his retirement.
Others who could consider a bid include U.S. Rep. Diane Black and Knoxville entrepreneur Randy Boyd — both of whom unsuccessfully ran for the Republican nomination for governor earlier this year. CONTINUE READING: Tennessee US Sen. Lamar Alexander will not seek re-election in 2020
