Former Republican Gov. Winfield Dunn is endorsing Chris Devaney’s bid for Tennessee Republican Party chairman, according to a Devaney news release.

Current Chairman Robin Smith, of Hixson, announced last week she will step down May 30 as she explores a 3rd Congressional District bid.

Mr. Devaney, a Lookout Mountain resident who is U.S. Sen. Bob Corker’s state director; Lookout Mountain businessman Oscar Brock; and state Rep. Eric Swafford, R-Pikeville, have declared they are candidates to lead the state GOP.

Calling the 2010 elections “the most critical in our state government in generations,” Mr. Dunn said that, while he considers all three to be “fine men,” there is “one I am certain can hit the ground running from day one. That person is Chris Devaney.”

He said Mr. Devaney, a former state GOP executive director, “has the proven fundraising ability and grass-roots campaign experience that our party needs at this time.”

Mr. Devaney once served as a top aide to then-U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson, R-Tenn.

The election will be decided by the 66 members of the Tennessee Republican Party’s State Executive Committee.

Mr. Devaney said earlier this week that he has the votes necessary to win. Mr. Brock said he was close and anticipated he would achieve a majority.