Republican Sen. Bob Corker To Retire In 2018

The Tennessean reports:

Sen. Bob Corker said Tuesday he will not seek re-election next year. “After much thought, consideration and family discussion over the past year, Elizabeth and I have decided that I will leave the United States Senate when my term expires at the end of 2018,” the Chattanooga Republican said in a statement.

“When I ran for the Senate in 2006, I told people that I couldn’t imagine serving for more than two terms. Understandably, as we have gained influence, that decision has become more difficult. But I have always been drawn to the citizen legislator model, and while I realize it is not for everyone, I believe with the kind of service I provide, it is the right one for me.”

Corker, a former Chattanooga mayor, was first elected to the Senate in 2006, defeating Democrat Harold Ford Jr. of Memphis in an otherwise difficult election season for the GOP. Republicans lost their majorities in both the Senate and the House that year. Corker was the only Republican newcomer to win a Senate seat that year.

Last week Corker revealed that the Senate will consider a plan to limit Trump’s nuclear strike powers.