Rep. Black Steps Down As House Budget Committee Chair Over TN Governor Bid

House Budget Committee Chairman Diane Black, R-Tenn., flanked by Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., right, and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady, R-Texas, left, speaks with reporters about progress on the GOP effort to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, popularly known as “Obamacare,” on Capitol Hill in Washington, Friday, March 10, 2017. After grueling all-night sessions, the Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means committees both approved their portions of the bill along party-line votes. The bill goes to the House Budget Committee next week.  (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
FILE - In this March 10, 2017 file photo, House Budget Committee Chair Rep. Diane Black, R-Tenn. speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington. House Republicans on Tuesday, July 18, 2017, unveiled a budget that makes deep cu... FILE - In this March 10, 2017 file photo, House Budget Committee Chair Rep. Diane Black, R-Tenn. speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington. House Republicans on Tuesday, July 18, 2017, unveiled a budget that makes deep cuts in food stamps and other social safety net programs while boosting military spending by billions, a blueprint that pleases neither conservatives nor moderates. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) MORE LESS
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — U.S. Rep. Diane Black says she’s stepping down as House Budget Committee chairwoman as she runs for governor of Tennessee.

In an op-ed posted to the Fox News website Wednesday, the Republican says she’ll continue to serve in Congress, but is leaving the budget post to focus more on the campaign.

Black pointed to her work with President Donald Trump on budgeting and a wide-spanning tax reform law. She noted the law eliminates fines for people who don’t carry health insurance under former President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul.

Black was named interim Budget Committee chair in January when Trump nominated Rep. Tom Price of Georgia to become Health and Human Services secretary.

Black is one of five leading Republican candidates in 2018 vying to replace term-limited Republican Gov. Bill Haslam.

She announced her bid in August.

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