Gov. Bill Haslam May Seek Bob Corker's Senate Seat

NASHVILLE, TN — Gov. Bill Haslam told reporters Thursday that while the United States Senate is not something he's ever really thought about, he's going to think about it now following the surprise announcement from Sen. Bob Corker that he would not seek re-election.

"Quite frankly I was hoping and expecting Bob to run, so I have not spent a whole lot of time thinking about it and being in the United States Senate is not something that I’ve long dreamed about or thought about," he said. "It merits spending some time thinking about it and praying about it, which I’ll do over the next several days."

(For more updates on this story and free news alerts for your neighborhood, sign up for your local Middle Tennessee Patch morning newsletter.)

Haslam said he would make the decision rather quickly, not wanting to draw out the process.

The term-limited Haslam would almost certainly become the front-runner. The Republican governor, though often irking the right wing of the GOP, routinely registers approval ratings above 60 percent and has won two statewide campaigns. U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn said earlier this week she too is exploring a run and, raising eyebrows, released a new logo that shows the entire state of Tennessee. The Williamson County Republican is one of President Donald Trump's most committed supporters in Congress.

Conservative activist Andy Ogles is already an official candidate.

Among Democrats, attorney James Mackler announced his candidacy earlier this year and Nashville State Sen. Jeff Yarbro said he is thinking about a run, as well.

Image via United States Department of Agriculture