Republican Senator Announces He Won’t Seek Re-election In 2020

It’s weird to think that we’re already talking about 2020 again. It’ll be here before we know it. Part of me is so ready, because presidential election cycles are usually wild and interesting, but part of me is enjoying the “calm before the storm.”

I go back and forth.

Anyway, speaking of 2020, one Republican senator has announced that he will NOT seek re-election: Tennessee’s Sen. Lamar Alexander.

Breaking: Republican Senator Lamar Alexander said Monday he will not run for another term in the Senate https://t.co/uBKQWc24kk

— POLITICO (@politico) December 17, 2018

“I will not be a candidate for re-election to the United States Senate in 2020,” he 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.”

“I have gotten up every day thinking that I could help make our state and country a little better, and gone to bed most nights thinking that I have,” he continued. “I will continue to serve with that same spirit during the remaining two years of my term.”

Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) retiring, seat up 2020. Hope springs eternal for Dems, but the early rating for Crystal Ball is Safe R. I asked good source: Which Rs are running now? Answer: "Everyone I know."

— Larry Sabato (@LarrySabato) December 17, 2018

Surprise: GOP Sen. Lamar Alexander will NOT seek a fourth term #TNSEN https://t.co/6NFDv5Qy9E

— Daily Kos Elections (@DKElections) December 17, 2018

Sen. Lamar Alexander won't run for reelection: "now it is time for someone else to have (this) privilege" https://t.co/Sq9FShBFHA

— Rebecca Buck (@RebeccaBuck) December 17, 2018

It’s honestly refreshing to see someone willingly step aside. Wouldn’t you say?