NASHVILLE (AP) — House Majority Leader Gerald McCormick says he will stand for another term in charge of the Republican supermajority in the lower chamber of the Tennessee General Assembly.

The Chattanooga Times Free Press reports (http://bit.ly/2bt5Xke ) that while McCormick has long held aspirations to succeed House Speaker Beth Harwell, he won't challenge her for the top post this year.

McCormick said he decided to make his announcement much earlier than in past election cycles to avoid any confusion over his ambitions after Republican Rep. Jimmy Matlock of Lenoir City announced last week that he would challenge Harwell.

McCormick said he wanted to "clear the air" and focus on supporting incumbents and targeting Democrats, especially those in rural parts of the state.

House Republicans will hold their leadership votes after the November election.