4 Trump devotees face off in Tennessee GOP gubernatorial primary

In the thoroughly Republican state of Tennessee, this year's race for governor may come down to who seems closest to President Trump.

Thursday's GOP gubernatorial primary has become a race between four Trump devotees, none of whom managed to secure the president's endorsement, The Associated Press reports. The drama doesn't extend to Thursday's Senate primaries, which seem to be locks for front-running nominees in both major parties.

In the gubernatorial race, Rep. Diane Black, former state economic development head Randy Boyd, farmer and businessman Bill Lee, and Tennessee House Speaker Beth Harwell have spent a combined $45.7 million just to win the GOP primary. They've all firmly backed President Trump's policies, especially on immigration, AP says. But beyond Vice President Mike Pence's support for Black, the race hasn't gotten much presidential attention, CNN says. Attorney Karl Dean will likely end up the Democratic winner.

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Originally thought to be a lock for the GOP, the race for retiring Republican Sen. Bob Corker's seat is getting tighter. Former Democratic Gov. Phil Bredesen and Republican Rep. Marsha Blackburn, who are both expected to skate to victory in their primary races, will likely face off this November in a race Cook Political Report calls a toss-up. Bredesen won every Tennessee county during his last 2006 gubernatorial run, and as Trump's popularity has faded, Bredesen's willingness to oppose presidential policies has earned him bipartisan support, per CNN.