State Rep. Bill Harmon decides against running

photo Tennessee State Rep. Bill Harmon, D-Dunlap, stands outside his home.
Arkansas-Tennessee Live Blog

NASHVILLE -- State Rep. Bill Harmon, D-Dunlap, said Thursday he won't be running for the state Senate or Sequatchie County mayor.

"I didn't file for a thing," said Harmon, who previously announced he would not run for re-election to the House but noted he was considering bids for the Senate or mayor.

Filing deadline for state and federal offices was at noon Thursday.

Harmon, 68, was first elected to the House in 2002. He is a former chairman of the House Transportation Committee.

But in this year's redrawing of legislative districts by majority Republicans, the GOP moved Harmon's home county of Sequatchie from the 37th District into the Republican-leaning District 31, held by Rep. Jim Cobb, R-Spring City.

Harmon said he is "looking at some other options."

Meanwhile, the soon-to-be-retiring lawmaker has a few other things on his mind once the Legislature ends its annual session in several weeks.

"I got a fishing boat, and I plan to use it," he said, adding, "I got a couple of grandkids playing ball this summer, and I intend to see them."

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