Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam has emerged as the probable choice to succeed New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, the outgoing chairman of the Republican Governors Association, The Washington Times has learned.
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, who won reelection to a second term on Nov. 4, and Indiana Gov. Mike Pence are among the GOP governors considering runs for the 2016 presidential nomination and could find doing so while wearing the RGA captain’s cap problematic.
Mr. Haslam, 56, once served as Knoxville mayor and was elected governor in 2011.
As governor, he has clashed with liberals and Democrats by signing bills that required voters’ photo identification; ended all state financing of Planned Parenthood; erased a Nashville ban on discrimination in hiring gays by companies doing business with the city; stripped teachers’ unions of collective-bargaining powers; and limited certain damages in civil suits.
The current 29 Republicans governors – that number is expected to rise to 31 come January – are mulling the succession question and are scheduled to announce the new RGA head Thursday.
• Ralph Z. Hallow can be reached at rhallow@gmail.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.