Former Gov. Bill Haslam won't run for US Senate, saying it is not his calling

For the second time in 21 months , Gov. Bill Haslam has declined to run for the U.S. Senate, the Knoxville Republican said in an exclusive letter submitted to the USA TODAY Network-Tennessee.

The former governor's decision, which came after U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander said in December he will not seek reelection in 2020, immediately bolsters the chances of a contested Republican primary. 

"While I think serving in the United States Senate would be a great privilege and responsibility, I have come to the conclusion that it is not my calling for the next period of my life," Haslam, 60, said in the letter. 

"This is a difficult decision because I have loved my time in public service and I believe so deeply in the importance of our political process."

The makings of 'a competitive battle'

Haslam's move likely increases the prospects that Bill Hagerty, the U.S. ambassador to Japan, could launch his own bid for the Senate.

BILL HASLAM:Why I am not running for U.S. Senate in 2020 | Opinion

When Alexander announced his plans to retire, Alexander mentioned Haslam and Hagerty as the "most obvious" candidates. Hagerty, who has attended several political events in Tennessee in recent weeks, previously served as Haslam's commissioner of the state Department of Economic and Community Development. 

On Thursday, Alexander said in a statement, "Bill Haslam would be a terrific United States senator, but he has served Tennessee well and unselfishly for 15 years as governor and as mayor of Knoxville, and I can completely understand his desire to take a different direction with his life.” 

Other Republicans thought to be considering entering the race included U.S. Rep. Mark Green and former U.S. Reps. Diane Black and Stephen Fincher. Green said Thursday he would not launch a bid. Black's longtime chief of staff said she would also not enter the race. 

Nashville orthopedic trauma surgeon Manny Sethi became the first top-tier Republican to enter the race when he launched his bid in early June. 

John Geer, Vanderbilt political science professor, said Haslam's decision recasts the GOP primary. 

"I would expect a number of candidates to jump into the race to be our next senator and make it a competitive battle," he said. 

With Nashville attorney and Iraq War veteran James Mackler the lone Democrat in the race, Geer said Haslam's decision will have little effect on the Republican Party's prospects of losing the seat. 

"The (Phil) Bredesen defeat last year underscores the strength the Republican Party has in general election contests," Geer said.  

In his letter, Haslam said his time as mayor of Knoxville and governor "changed me forever."

"I have a much greater appreciation for the impact that effective government can have on citizens of all backgrounds, beliefs, and life circumstances," he said. "Public service is so much more than the political disagreements that too often define our current environment."

Haslam said weighing a bid for the Senate "has been the hardest vocational decision of my life."

"This is a difficult decision because I have loved my time in public service and I believe so deeply in the importance of our political process," he wrote. 

The former governor gave no indication about his future plans, beyond saying he looked forward to serving Tennessee and the country in other ways. 

Since leaving office in January, Haslam has taken several trips out of the country while spending time with his family. He largely managed to avoid public appearances or statements, aside from saying on multiple occasions that he would announce his decision on the race in the coming weeks. 

As he considered his options, the former governor attended the Tennessee Republican Party's annual fundraiser and even met with the vice president in the White House in March to discuss a potential Senate bid.  

Haslam previously weighed 2018 Senate bid

Haslam's decision to stay out of the 2020 election comes after he previously considered running for the upper chamber when U.S. Sen. Bob Corker announced his retirement in September 2017. But he opted against a bid, citing a desire to remain focused on his final months as governor. 

With ties to national Republicans, including Vice President Mike Pence and campaign strategist Ward Baker, Haslam would have had a significant leg up on most other Tennessee Republicans and jumped to frontrunner status.  

Baker was the chief strategist for U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn in her victory over Bredesen.

For years, Haslam has remained the most popular politician in Tennessee, despite having some controversial positions and views, including raising the state's gas tax, pushing Medicaid expansion and criticizing President Donald Trump. Such issues would have given a more tea party aligned Republican an opportunity to challenge Haslam in a primary. 

But given Haslam's name recognition, immense personal wealth — he's one of the richest politicians in the country, behind Trump — and an ability to raise money from national and state Republicans, any challenger would have faced a massive uphill battle for the party's nomination.  

Instead, Haslam's departure makes it increasingly likely that other Republicans will enter the Senate race, which has 15 months remaining until the general election.  

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Reach Joel Ebert at jebert@tennessean.com or 615-772-1681 and on Twitter @joelebert29.