Fincher drops out of Senate race, urges Corker to get back in

Former U.S. Rep. Stephen Fincher (Image credit: Fincher campaign)

Former U.S. Rep. Stephen Fincher, the gospel signing farmer from Frog Jump, is dropping out of the U.S. Senate race and urging incumbent Sen. Bob Corker to reconsider his decision not to seek a third term.

“My campaign has always been about what’s best for Tennessee,” Fincher said in a statement released Friday afternoon. “Tennessee families need a strong conservative voice in the Senate, someone who will stand with President Trump and lead the Republican Party forward.

“The party must get behind a candidate that can win in November and stop Democrat Phil Bredesen, who would be a rubber stamp for the Chuck Schumer liberal agenda,” he said. “For that reason, I believe Senator Bob Corker should continue to serve in the U.S. Senate, and stand with the president to fight for Tennessee families.”

Until Corker makes up his mind about re-joining the race, U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn is the only major Republican in the race.

“Marsha Blackburn has always been the clear favorite of Tennessee families in both the primary and general election,” said Blackburn spokeswoman Andrea Bozek. “And now Republicans can focus all of our efforts defeating Chuck Schumer’s number one recruit Phil Bredesen in November.”

Bredesen spokeswoman Alyssa Hansen said: “These candidates are campaigning like they govern in Washington — name-calling and dividing — which is why Governor Bredesen’s track-record and get-things-done attitude is resonating with Tennesseans.”

“Whether he is in Memphis or Mountain City, Governor Bredesen is making his case for getting Congress back to basics. He is in this race to be an advocate for the people of Tennessee in the Senate, not to run against anyone,” she said.

Reaction was otherwise slow to pour in on the Friday before a long weekend.

State Sen. Jack Johnson (R-Franklin):

It’s time for conservatives to rally behind @MarshaBlackburn so we can win the U.S. Senate race in November!

— Jack Johnson (@SenJohnson) February 16, 2018

Chris Carroll, spokesman for U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper (D-Nashville):

Does Fincher actually believe Tennesseans care about what he thinks Corker should do? Talk about ego … https://t.co/z0Ko4pF1eM

— Chris Carroll (@ChrisCarrollDC) February 16, 2018

State Rep. William Lamberth (R-Cottontown):

Now is the time for every Republican to rally behind a true conservative @MarshaBlackburn With our help, she can and will win this race in the fall. #StandWithMarsha https://t.co/98qJLlDdNI

— William Lamberth (@WilliamLamberth) February 17, 2018