Governor Bill Haslam says he’s nowhere close to endorsing a candidate for the Republican nomination in next year’s presidential race. Haslam says maybe half the candidates have reached out for his support, but he’s not about to choose one.

In 2008 Haslam backed former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, and members of Haslam’s family have already contributed to Romney’s campaign for the current race.

But Haslam says he’ll take his time before he weighs in, and watch the field develop in places like this past weekend’s Iowa Straw Poll.

HASLAM: “I’m not sure the straw vote is the final word on where Iowa goes or where the country goes…”
REPORTER: “Are you going to back anyone in the…?”
HASLAM: “Right now I don’t have any plans to – I could, down the road, but right now I’m not even anywhere close to doing that.”

Officials close to Haslam including his economic development commissioner and a top advisor are backing two different candidates. Haslam says as long as that’s on their own time, they should be able to support whoever they want.

–

Last week Lieutenant Governor Ron Ramsey threw his support behind Texas Governor Rick Perry, who formally entered the race over the weekend.