Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., announced Monday that he will not run for re-election to the Senate in 2020, foregoing a likely fourth term in office.
In a statement, Alexander, 78, said it is time for “someone else” to be able to represent Tennessee in the Senate. Alexander added that he intends to serve the final two years of his term.
“I will not be a candidate for re-election to the United States Senate in 2020,” Alexander said in a statement. “The people of Tennessee have been very generous, electing me to serve more combined years as Governor and Senator than anyone else from our state.”
“I am deeply grateful, but now it is time for someone else to have that privilege,” Alexander said. “I will continue to serve with that same spirit during the remaining two years of my term.”
Along with his three terms in the Senate, Alexander also served as governor of Tennessee and as secretary of education under former President George H.W. Bush’s administration.
Alexander’s announcement will make it consecutive election cycles that Tennessee elects a new senator, since Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., did not seek re-election in November. He will be replaced in the Senate by GOP Rep. Marsha Blackburn.
