NASHVILLE (AP) - A former congressional candidate from Franklin says he won't challenge Republican U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander next year.

Monty Lankford said in a letter to supporters on Monday that he decided not to seek the GOP nomination and is instead endorsing Alexander for a third term.

Lankford said the decision came after Alexander visited his home and met with his family. He cited Alexander's perfect rating from the National Rifle Association and his goal of reducing federal spending.

Lankford was the Republican nominee to challenge Democratic Rep. Lincoln Davis in 2008. The campaign was hamstrung because Lankford lived outside the district, and he lost by 21 percentage points.

Alexander is a former two-term governor and ran for president twice. He was first elected to the Senate in 2002.