NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam has been named policy chairman of the Republican Governors Public Policy Committee.

The group is the policy arm of the Republican Governors Association. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who is the chairman of the 29-member national association, in a release called Haslam "a true pioneer in the public policy sphere."

Haslam said states are flourishing while the federal government is unable to implement its own policy priorities. The governor stressed his own accomplishments in overhauling civil service rules in Tennessee and reducing what he called the government footprint in the state.

Haslam is up for re-election this fall but has yet to draw a serious opponent for the primary or general election.