ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ

 he would seek another term for the District 3 Senate seat. He has represented District 3 in Northeast Tennessee for 35 years and is the second-most senior legislator in the Tennessee Senate.

His district includes Washington, Johnson and Carter counties.

Crowe said he plans to campaign on a platform including “lower taxes, less government intervention, personal responsibility, faith, family, freedom and just plain good old common sense.�

In a text, Crowe shared the gubernatorial candidate’s endorsement, which lauds his opposition to imposing a state income tax.

“We call Senator Rusty Crowe 'The Rock' because he's rock solid when it comes to fighting for our conservative values and Tennessee families,� said Blackburn. “Rusty will continue that fight in the State Senate, and I wholly support his re-election. I hope you'll send him back to the State Senate to keep fighting for you."

 for the governor’s office a few days prior.  against her primary challenger, current U.S. Representative John Rose, R-TN.

Since launching her campaign, Blackburn has received  from state and federal legislators, local mayors and influential members of the Republican party.

In the day following her announcement, Crowe was quick to voice his support for the senator.

�I served with Marsha in the [state] Senate a long time. I know her a lot better than I know John Rose,� said Crowe in early August. “She’d make a great governor.�

, Blackburn lauded Crowe’s praise, saying the two “will make Tennessee America's conservative leader!�

“I am very appreciative of Senator Blackburn’s endorsement,� said Crowe. “We worked together for many years  in the Tennessee senate to chart a common sense conservative course for our great state that has resulted in Tennessee, today, having become one of the top ranking states nationally in so many categories.�