56 Tennessee GOP state representatives endorse Blackburn for U.S. Senate

Sen. Bob Corker's decision not to enter the race for a third term has cleared the way in the Republican primary for U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn.
Sen. Bob Corker's decision not to enter the race for a third term has cleared the way in the Republican primary for U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn.

NASHVILLE - Fifty-six of the Tennessee House's 74-member Republican Caucus are endorsing Republican Marsha Blackburn in her U.S. Senate effort, the campaign announced today.

Among them are Rep. Mike Carter, R-Ooltewah; Rep. Dan Howell, R-Georgetown; Rep. Jimmy Matlock, R-Lenoir City; Rep. David Alexander, R-Winchester, and Rep. Rick Tilles, R-Lewisburg.

Saying she's "humbled" by the support, Blackburn, a Brentwood congressman, said the lawmakers "share my conservative vision of limited, effective government, and I appreciate their advice and support as we take our message to every corner of the state."

Blackburn said she looks forward to campaigning with them "over the next several months and working with them in the U.S. Senate."

Others endorsing Blackburn include House Majority Leader Glen Casada, R-Franklin, who's already contributed to her campaign; House Speaker Pro Tempore Curtis Johnson, R-Clarksville, and Deputy Speaker Steve McDaniel, R-Lexington.

Blackburn's bid for the Aug. 2 GOP primary received a considerable boost last month when retiring incumbent U.S. Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., announced he would not try to re-enter the race after announcing last fall he would not seek re-election.

Former Gov. Phil Bredesen is running for the Democratic nomination for Senate.

The full list of endorsements are:

State representatives endorsing Blackburn for U.S. Senate

Rep. David Alexander (R-Winchester) Rep. Harry Brooks (R-Knoxville) Education Administration and Planning Committee Chairman Rep. Sheila Butt (R-Columbia) Rep. David Byrd (R-Waynesboro) Rep. Dale Carr (R-Sevierville) Rep. Mike Carter (R-Ooltewah) Rep. Glen Casada (R - Thompson's Station) House Majority Leader Rep. Jim Coley (R-Bartlett) Rep. John Crawford (R-Kingsport) Majority Assistant Floor Leader Rep. Michael G. Curcio (R-Dickson) Rep. Martin Daniel (R-Knoxville) Rep. Bill Dunn (R-Knoxville) Calendar and Rules Committee Chairman Rep. Jeremy Faison (R-Cosby) Government Operations Committee Chairman Rep. Andrew Farmer (R-Sevierville) Civil Justice Committee Chairman Rep. John Forgety (R-Athens) Education Instruction and Programs Committee Chairman Rep. Ron M. Gant (R-Rossville) Majority Assistant Floor Leader Rep. Tilman Goins (R-Morristown) Rep. Curtis Halford (R-Dyer) Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Rep. Matthew Hill (R-Jonesborough) Rep. Timothy Hill (R-Blountville) Rep. John B. Holsclaw, Jr. (R-Elizabethton) Rep. Andy H. Holt (R-Dresden) Rep. Dan Howell (R-Georgetown) Rep. Bud Hulsey (R-Kingsport) Rep. Curtis G. Johnson (R-Clarksville) Speaker Pro Tempore Rep. Roger Kane (R-Knoxville) Rep. Kelly Keisling (R-Byrdstown) Rep. Sabi 'Doc' Kumar (R-Springfield) Rep. William Lamberth (R-Cottontown) Criminal Justice Committee Chairman Rep. Mary Littleton (R-Dickson) Rep. Ron Lollar (R-Bartlett) Rep. Susan Lynn (R-Mount Juliet) Rep. Pat Marsh (R-Shelbyville) Business and Utilities Committee Chairman Rep. Jimmy Matlock (R-Lenoir City) Rep. Steve McDaniel (R-Parkers Crossroads) Deputy Speaker, Rules Committee Chairman, Ethics Committee Chairman Rep. Debra Moody (R-Covington) Rep. Jerome Moon (R-Maryville) Rep. Dennis Powers (R-Jacksboro) Rep. Jay D. Reedy (R-Erin) Rep. Courtney Rogers (R-Goodlettsville) Rep. Tim Rudd (R-Murfreesboro) Rep. Bill Sanderson (R-Kenton) Rep. Charles Sargent (R-Franklin) Finance, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Rep. Jerry Sexton (R-Bean Station) Majority Assistant Floor Leader Rep. Paul Sherrell (R-Sparta) Rep. Eddie Smith (R-Knoxville) Rep. Mike Sparks (R-Smyrna) Rep. Rick Tillis (R-Lewisburg) Rep. James (Micah) Van Huss (R-Jonesborough) Majority Floor Leader Rep. Kevin Vaughan (R-Collierville) Rep. Terri Lynn Weaver (R-Lancaster) Rep. Dawn White (R-Murfreesboro) Rep. Mark White (R-Memphis) Rep. Sam Whitson (R-Franklin) Rep. Tim Wirgau (R-Buchanan) Local Government Committee Chairman Rep. Jason Zachary (R-Knoxville)

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