Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke has endorsed Democrat Karl Dean for Tennessee governor.
Berke and the former Nashville mayor made the announcement Thursday in a news conference.
"Karl Dean's bold ideas, thoughtful leadership, and common sense approach to solving problems made him an outstanding two-term Mayor of Nashville," Berke said in a statement. "As our next governor, I know that he'll work harder than anyone to provide more opportunities for more people in our state to get better educations and build better lives. Tennessee deserves a governor who will work for everyone, including the urban neighborhoods and rural communities that are too often forgotten by leaders on Capitol Hill. Karl has proven to us that he'll fight for Chattanoogans and our neighbors. I'm proud to endorse him today."
Dean said he was honored to receive the support from Berke, saying he's "someone who knows first hand what it takes to lead and how to focus on the issues that really matter."
Dean will face Republican Bill Lee in the November election. He defeated state House Minority Leader Craig Fitzhugh, D-Ripley, in the Aug. 2 Democratic primary.