Randy Boyd running for governor

Randy Boyd, the Knoxville businessman who in February stepped down as commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development amid speculation he was readying a run for governor in 2018, has made it official. Boyd announced Monday he would seek the Republican nomination to succeed his friend and former boss, Gov. Bill Haslam.

Boyd is the second Republican to join the race, state Sen. Mark Green having announced in January. Former Nashville Mayor Karl Dean, a Democrat, announced last week he would be seeking his party’s nomination in the gubernatorial contest. Several others are widely expected to enter the race on both sides.