For the second time in 14 months, Gov. Bill Haslam is mulling a bid for the U.S. Senate.
Hours after U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander announced his plans not to seek re-election in 2020, Haslam told the USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee he was considering a run.
"Obviously, you want to think seriously about an opportunity like that," Haslam said. "It's too important of a role and I care too much about the future of our state and country to not at least seriously consider it."
The governor did not provide a timeline on when he might reach a decision.
"I think enough about the importance of the role and kind of the critical time we face as a country and how important it is for our state to have good people in that role to not consider it," he said.
Haslam praised Alexander, who cumulatively has spent more time in office as governor and U.S. Senator than any Tennessean in history.
Haslam, a Knoxville Republican, previously considered running for the seat held by U.S. Sen. Bob Corker when he announced his retirement in September 2017.
But after he briefly considering a bid, Haslam opted against it, saying he planned on focusing on his remaining time in office.
With just over a month until he exits office on Jan. 19, Haslam would have more free time to run for office again.
When he announced he would not run for the Senate this year, the term-limited governor said he would not discount the idea of running for office again.
"I love doing this, and if I never get a chance to have a public service job again, I’ll be sad about that,” he said at the time.
Given his national stature, continued popularity in Tennessee, political experience and his personal wealth and ability to raise money, he would easily jump to frontrunner status if he were to enter the 2020 race.
Other Republicans who could enter the 2020 race include U.S. Ambassador to Japan Bill Hagerty, U.S. Rep.-elect Mark Green, Nashville surgeon Manny Sethi and outgoing U.S. Rep. Diane Black.
Potential Democratic contenders include Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke, state Sen. Jeff Yarbro, state Sen. Sara Kyle, state Rep. John Ray Clemmons and Knoxville mayor Madeline Rogero.