Tennessee: First Dem Announces for Governor's Race

​Yesterday, we covered Volunteer State political rumors that suggest Sen. Bob Corker (R) may eschew re-election for a gubernatorial bid.  Now, the Democrats have their first official candidate.  Former Nashville Mayor Karl Dean announced that he will seek his party’s nomination for the open Governor’s office, thus beginning what could be a very interesting Tennessee political season.
 
Sen. Corker is the key.  Should he seek re-election, all of the real action will take place in the Governor’s race.  If he decides to jump into the state contest, then the multiple political aspirants will likely set their sites on Corker’s open Senate position.  Central Tennessee Rep. Diane Black (R-Gallatin) also looks to be in the mix for whichever of the two positions come open.
 
Another major question surrounds outgoing Gov. Bill Haslam (R), who is ineligible to seek a third term.  If Corker runs for Governor, will Haslam enter the Senate race?  Or, would he do so two years later if Sen. Lamar Alexander (R) decides to retire? 
 
Much will be decided in Tennessee politics, and all of the major decisions will be forthcoming as soon as Sen. Corker decides upon his own political future.