Tennessee State Rep. Vince DeanNASHVILLE - State Rep. Vince Dean, R-East Ridge, today announced he plans to seek re-election to the House District 30 seat and not run for the state Senate.
"I will be submitting my qualification papers on Monday morning to the Hamilton County Election Commission," Dean said in a statement.
Dean noted that while he has been "overwhelmed by friends and supporters that have urged me to seek Senate District 10, I feel that currently, I need to continue my focus on my House duties."
Earlier this month, House Majority Leader Gerald McCormick, R-Chattanooga, and House Speaker Beth Harwell, R-Nashville, asked Dean to reconsider plans to run for the Senate.
"The Republican majority has made some great strides in the House since taking over a couple of years ago," Dean said. "I feel that my experience and leadership will best serve the people of Tennessee in the House of Representatives. This is not the time to abandon what we have learned during our struggle to gain control of the Chambers."
Republican Greg Vital has announced he is running for the Senate seat and fellow Republican Todd Gardenhire says he plans to do so.
Dean said he "will not be endorsing a candidate for Senate District 10" in the GOP primary. "I urge everyone to vet the candidates thoroughly for themselves and make their decision."
Senate District 10 has leaned Democratic in the past but now favors Republicans as a result of the recent passage of a GOP-drawn redistricting plan by the state Legislature.
The district is now held by Sen. Andy Berke, D-Chattanooga, who has already announced he won't run again and is seriously considering a 2013 race for Chattanooga mayor.