Harwell: Serving as House speaker while running for governor ‘will work out well’

Citing a comment by Gov. Bill Haslam that he found serving as mayor of Knoxville a distraction when he ran for governor in 2010, the Kingsport Times News asked House Speaker Beth Harwell whether her legislative leadership role would be a distraction while she runs for governor.

“I don’t think so. We’re not in session right now. Actually this would be a good opportunity to talk about the state’s issues. I think the difference was the governor was a local official trying to get about the state. I’m a state official involved in state politics.”

What about next year when you’re governing and running for governor in the same time period?

“I think it will work out well.”

And she was asked about her backing of President Donald Trump.

“I voted for him and supported Donald Trump. He is our president. I pray for him. I want to see him be successful. If he’s successful, our nation will be successful. So I am supportive of him.”