Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam launches bid for a second term

photo Gov. Bill Haslam
Arkansas-Tennessee Live Blog

NASHVILLE - Republican Gov. Bill Haslam today kicked off his bid for a second term in a race where he faces no big-name opponents.

"Our promise to you is we're not going to let up," Haslam told an estimated 1,000 cheering supporters, including Democrats who gathered for the announcement at the Loveless Cafe in Nashville.

Haslam ticked off a litany of what he considers major accomplishments during his first term.

Among them is education where last year Tennessee students made the biggest gains in learning among any state on a national assessment.

He also pointed to Tennessee's recognition in national publications as a good place for companies to do business.

Haslam faces token opposition in the August GOP primary. Meanwhile, several Democrats are running in their primary, the best known being former Washington County Executive Joh McKamey of Kingsport.

Four years ago, Haslam, mayor of Knoxville at the time, faced then-U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp, R-Chattanooga, and state Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey, R-Blountville, in the GOP primary.

Following his primary victory, Haslam went on to easily defeat Democrat Mike McWherter in the general election.

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