Sen. Lamar Alexander announced on Monday that he will not seek a fourth term in 2020, the Tennessean reported.
The former Republican governor, who has served in the Senate since 2003, said he is "deeply grateful, but now it is time for someone else to have that privilege."
Although the announcement may come as a surprise to some, considering that Alexander remains popular in his state, he would have been 86 years old at the end of a fourth term.
Alexander currently serves as chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee.
He led the committee during the unsuccessful Republican attempt to repeal and replace Obamacare last year, according to CNBC. The GOP healthcare overhaul was unpopular, and was part of the reason that Republicans lost control of the House.
Alexander has recently helped move along through Congress bipartisan bills to promote medical innovation and fight the opioid crisis.
Tennessee remains a solid Republican state, and, although it is unclear who may vie for his seat, possible top GOP contenders include Gov. Bill Haslam and incoming U.S. Rep. Mark Green, the Tennessean reported.
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