NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Republican U.S. Rep. Diane Black, who as a powerful committee chair has championed cutting safety net programs such as Medicaid and food stamps, announced Wednesday that she will run to become the next governor of Tennessee.
In her video announcement, Black touted a record that included passing anti-abortion legislation and opposing a state income tax when she served in the Tennessee General Assembly.
“I wasn’t afraid to stand up to the weak-kneed people in my own party when I had to,” she said. “I believe in secure borders and tough choices in cutting spending and beating the liberals instead of caving in to them.”
About one in four Tennesseans is enrolled in TennCare, the state’s expanded Medicaid program, while one out of six residents receives food stamp assistance.
Black, who chairs the House Budget Committee, is the latest candidate to join the growing field seeking to succeed term-limited Republican Gov. Bill Haslam by winning the November 2018 general election. Republican candidates State Sen. Mae Beavers, state House Speaker Beth Harwell, businessmen Randy Boyd and Bill Lee are also running. Former Nashville Mayor Karl Dean is seeking the Democratic nomination, while state House Minority Leader Craig Fitzhugh is also expected to join that race.