While in Nashville today, 7th District Congressman and U.S. Senate candidate Ed Bryant decried kingmaker politics and dismissed media reports speculating that efforts could be underway in Washington to shove him out of the election.

”During the past 24 hours, there have been several reports out of Washington suggesting that a movement may be underway to have me reconsider my candidacy for this race," Bryant stated in a press release late Friday. "If my candidacy comes down to choosing between who believes what is best for the future of Tennessee -- Washington political operatives and pundits or the good people of Tennessee -- I’ll choose Tennesseans every time. I’m in this race to stay."

Bryant added that Senator Bill Frist had continued to assure him of his neutrality in the primary race between himself and former Tennessee governor Lamar Alexander.

The Bryant campaign released public opinion data Friday indicating that six out of every 10 of Tennessee’s Republican voters are undecided. The press release states, "The bottom line in this campaign is simple: Washington may want former Governor Lamar Alexander, but Tennessee Republicans just want to choose who their nominee is going to be.