Behind In Funds, Mt. Juliet Senator Beavers Says She'll Resign Her Seat To Focus On Run For Governor

Republican Mae Beavers says she's stepping down after 14 years in the state Senate to focus on her run for governor.

The Mt. Juliet lawmaker made the announcement at a Wednesday afternoon press conference, saying she couldn't continue to represent her district east of Nashville while simultaneously campaigning statewide. Beavers also used the occasion to take a few digs at her rivals and the Republican governor she aims to replace, whom she implied is too liberal.

"I think that the people of the state of Tennessee deserve for us to have a real shot at having a first conservative governor," she said. "And with the laws in Tennessee, it's hard for us to operate the campaign and hard for us to raise money."

By that, Beavers means state laws that let wealthy candidates write checks to their own campaigns and limit state legislators' ability to fundraise while in session. Beavers has far less cash than her Republican rivals in the governor's race, and she says the only way she can compete is to run full-time.

As of June 30 Beavers had raised only $36,000. Three other candidates for governor already had more than $1 million raised.

Read more: http://nashvillepublicradio.org/post/behind-funds-mt-juliet-senator-beavers-says-shell-resign-her-seat-focus-run-governor