Sen. Bob Corker is sticking with his decision to retire at the end of his term.
Corker's chief of staff told Politico: "He's always believed and served as though he were only going to be in the Senate for two terms. And he was willing to listen to folks, but he really believes the decision he made in September was the right one."
Corker, who serves as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was reportedly encouraged by GOP lawmakers in the Senate and his home state of Tennessee to reconsider his decision after announcing last fall that he wasn't going to seek re-election.
His Republican colleagues were reportedly worried that Rep. Marsha Blackburn, who's considered the GOP front-runner for Corker's seat, won't beat Democratic challenger Phil Bredesen.
Blackburn thanked Corker for his service on Tuesday.
