January 30, 2018
By: Dwayne Page
Former State Senator Mae Beavers announced on Facebook Tuesday she was suspending her gubernatorial campaign.
“To the volunteers, supporters, and every person who championed my run for governor, I want to express my deepest gratitude to you. Today, after much deliberation, I am suspending my campaign for the office of Governor of the great state of Tennessee,” the Republican wrote in a social media post.
“After criss-crossing the state and meeting thousands of fellow Tennesseans, it was not a light decision to make because you have embraced our conservative message whole-heartedly; however, it is the right choice to make. Also, I know entering the race has not been in vain as many of my heart-felt issues are now talking points of other candidates.
“Again, I can’t express enough of the sincere thankfulness that I have for you and the out-pouring of love and support as a volunteer and supporter you had for this campaign. Jerry and I look forward to my retirement after decades of being an elected official, and we pray that God blesses you and our great state and nation.”
In August, Beavers resigned from her Mt. Juliet state Senate seat, saying she wanted to fully dedicate her time to running for governor.
According to the Tennessean, Beavers reported raising just under $150,000 in her latest financial disclosure, which covered six months. Her other financial disclosure reported raising just $36,000.
Beavers is the first mainstream candidate to officially suspend their campaign for governor.
Other Republicans remaining in the race include: U.S. Rep. Diane Black, state House Speaker Beth Harwell, Johnson City realtor Kay White, Knoxville businessman Randy Boyd and Williamson County businessman Bill Lee.
Candidates vying for the Democratic nomination include former Nashville Mayor Karl Dean and state House Minority Leader Craig Fitzhugh.