U.S. Rep. Black says new role won't preclude her running for Tennessee governor

Rep. Diane Black
Rep. Diane Black

NASHVILLE - U.S. Rep. Diane Black, R-Tenn., said Thursday that despite a new role as chairman of the powerful House Budget Committee, her new post won't "preclude" her running for Tennessee governor in 2018 if that's what she decides to do so.

Widely viewed as a strong contender for GOP gubernatorial nomination should she run, Black was named interim chairman of the House panel last month after then-Chairman Tom Price, R-Ga., was nominated by Republican President Donald Trump to become Secretary of Health and Human Services.

That's prompted speculation that the Gallatin congresswoman, whose committee is the starting place for House Republican plans to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, widely known as Obamacare, might be tempted to remain in Washington.

As the congresswoman walked through Tennessee's Legislative Plaza Thursday, Black was asked by a reporter about her future plans and whether her new chairmanship might quash any potential bid for governor.

Black described the committee chairmanship as "an opportunity for me to be able to do what I went up there to do - and that is to make sure we get the budget in order and work on plans to move this country forward.

"So," Black added, "it's an opportunity but that doesn't preclude me from doing things later down the road."

As for her thoughts about seeking the governorship, Black said, "Right now I'm working what I need to do with [block] grants and making sure I'm doing the right thing for the state of Tennessee. That is my focus right now."

Asked about congressional Democrats' complaints that Republicans have no real plan to replace the Affordable Care Act, Black said "we're working on that. You'll be getting some good information in a couple of weeks."

Other Republicans who've expressed interest in succeeding the term-limited Republican Gov. Bill Haslam include state Sen. Mike Green of Clarksville; House Speaker Beth Harwell of Nashville; state Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris of Collierville; former state Economic and Community Development Commissioner Randy Boyd of Knoxville and Bill Lee, chairman of Franklin, Tenn.-based Lee Company.

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