Tennessee GOP Chairman Chris Devaney resigning


              State Republican Party Chairman Chris Devaney makes his case for a fourth term in a speech to the party's executive committee in Nashville, Tenn., on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014. Devaney ended up defeating former state Rep. Joe Carr on a 47-17 vote. (AP Photo/Erik Schelzig)
State Republican Party Chairman Chris Devaney makes his case for a fourth term in a speech to the party's executive committee in Nashville, Tenn., on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014. Devaney ended up defeating former state Rep. Joe Carr on a 47-17 vote. (AP Photo/Erik Schelzig)
photo Tennessee Republican Party Chairman Chris Devaney

Tennessee GOP Chairman Chris Devaney of Lookout Mountain is resigning.

Devaney is stepping down April 11 to become executive director of the Chattanooga-based Children's Nutrition Group of Haiti.

"This is what I'm called to do at this point in my life," he said.

Devaney, who informed Republican Executive Committee members of his plan this afternoon, said a special election for his replacement will be held on April 11.

Devaney, who has done church mission work in Haiti previously, said the opportunity developed after his election to a fourth term as GOP party chief in December. In that race, he fended off a challenge from former state Rep. Joe Carr.

Devaney was first elected in 2009 to fill remainder of then-chairman Robin Smith of Hixson.

This is a developing story. Stay with the Times Free Press for more details.

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