Tag: Bill Haslam

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee's Republican political leaders and candidates held a carefully choreographed news conference Saturday to project unity as they look toward competitive November elections after a rough primary for governor. Addressing reporters before multiple GOP unity events, term-limited Gov. Bill Haslam, Sens. No questions were taken from reporters at the news conference. There was no talk about loyalty to President Donald Trump after it was a main theme of the gubernatorial primary, and it remains to be seen how much candidates will focus on Trump in the general election in the state he won by 26 percentage points in 2016. Lee and Blackburn have competitive, open races. Alexander, for one, spoke generally about what Blackburn's race and keeping Republican control of the Senate mean for Tennessee. Blackburn said she will be campaigning with Lee, who topped his three leading opponents by more than 12 percentage points. He found a niche down the homestretch by not overtly making attacks while Black and Boyd were ensnared in a nasty ad war. The Democratic nominees, Bredesen and Dean, are both touting themselves as moderates and independent thinkers who say they would work across party lines.