NASHVILLE - U.S. Rep. Diane Black, R-Tenn., announced Wednesday she is officially stepping down as chairwoman of the House Budget Committee to focus more on her 2018 campaign for governor.
The Gallatin lawmaker, who became budget committee chairwoman earlier this year, said her decision comes "after a successful year with Trump."
In a Fox News op-ed, Black lavished praise on Republican President Donald Trump, saying she has "been proud to serve in that role" as chairman "along with our new president."
She touted her committee's work on passing a federal budget outline as well as joining Trump's efforts to repeal "Obamacare's worst mandates" combined with "aggressive tax-cutting to get our economy going. This has been exactly the kind of work I came to Congress to do and we have done it.
"But," added Black, a former state senator, "my heart has always been at home."
She said while she is stepping down as budget committee head, she will continue to serve in Congress but "devote more attention to my next challenge: seeking the governorship of Tennessee."
Under House GOP rules, committee chairmen are generally expected to step down from the post when pursuing outside office. But Black wanted to steer the House GOP budget to its successful conclusion.
Black is one of five major Republican hopefuls running in the GOP's gubernatorial primary. Also seeking the nomination are businessman and former state economic commissioner Randy Boyd of Knoxville, state House Speaker Beth Harwell, of Nashville, former state Sen. Mae Beavers and Franklin businessman Bill Lee.
Early polling shows Black as the frontrunner.
Seeking the Democratic nomination are former Nashville Mayor Karl Dean and state House Democratic Leader Craig Fitzhugh of Ripley.
Party primaries are Aug. 2. Current Gov. Bill Haslam, a Republican, is term limited and cannot run again.
Contact Andy Sher at asher@timesfreepress.com or 615-255-0550.