NASHVILLE - The socially conservative Family Research Council's political action committee is endorsing Republican U.S. Rep. Diane Black in Tennessee's GOP gubernatorial primary.
In a letter, FRC Action PAC Executive Vice President, Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Jerry Boykin praised Black for her leadership on Capitol Hill and what he said is the "strength she has shown fighting for Tennessee families."
"For Rep. Black's dedication to the values of faith, family, and freedom, as well as her many votes to protect these values, she's been a repeated recipient of FRC Action's 'True Blue' award," Boykin said. "She has a reputation as a leader who doesn't merely give lip service to her values, but acts on them. Her record of staunch conservatism and her continual commitment to people above policy will undoubtedly serve the people of Tennessee well."
In a statement, Black said the work FRC does to "preserve family values is unmatched and our nation is a better place because of their efforts. There are many issues Tennessee's next governor will have to address, but the most important is that of protecting our Tennessee values because when our values are lost, it's nearly impossible to get them back. I am honored that FRC will support me as governor to fight for what's right."
While in Congress, Black, a nurse by training, has sponsored FRC-backed legislation to defund Planned Parenthood as well as the Balanced Budget Amendment and the "No Budget, No Pay Act."
Black is among four leading Republicans running in the Aug. 2 GOP primary. Other Republicans in the field are Knoxville businessman and former state economic and community development commissioner Randy Boyd; state House Speaker Beth Harwell of Nashville and Franklin businessman Bill Lee. Early voting starts July 13.
