Joe CarrState Rep. Joe Carr confirmed Tuesday that he will challenge Chris Devaney for the chairmanship of the Tennessee Republican Party.
Carr told the Times Free Press over the weekend he was considering seeking the chairmanship after losing a primary challenge to U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander earlier this year.
In an emailed statement, Carr said "... it's time for change within the Party to create an environment where more participation is encouraged by Republicans throughout the state to bridge a growing divide."
"I've been a Tennessee Republican since 1978, run several successful small businesses, represented the 48th District for 6 years and received over 271,000 votes in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate. Now, I want to help bring the Republican Party back together."
The election will be held Dec. 6. by the 66 members of the state executive committee.
Devaney, who is seeking his fourth term, said earlier this week that "our record at the state party speaks for itself" and added, "A unifier to me is someone, if running for state chair, [who] needs to endorse our Republican nominees."
Carr did not endorse Alexander, who went on easily to defeat Democrat Gordon Ball.