NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Former state Sen. Mae Beavers says she is dropping out of the crowded Republican field for the Tennessee governor's race.
On Facebook Tuesday, the Mt. Juliet ex-lawmaker said it was not a light decision to suspend her campaign because people embraced her conservative message. But she wrote that it is the right choice to make.
Beavers wrote that she's looking forward to her retirement after decades of serving as an elected official.
She only raised $163,900 from July through mid-January and had $167,400 cash on hand.
Beavers' departure from the race leaves four major Republicans in the field: U.S. Rep. Diane Black, state House Speaker Beth Harwell and businessmen Randy Boyd and Bill Lee.
The Democratic field includes former Nashville Mayor Karl Dean and state House Minority Leader Craig Fitzhugh.