Today, Mariah Phillips, a public school teacher and candidate for Congress in Tennessee's 4th District, received the endorsement of former Middle Tennessee Congressman Bob Clement.

"Mariah is one of many people across the country who were inspired to step forward and run for office this year. As a public school teacher and MTSU graduate (Big Blue) she knows that there is no more important priority than educating our children," Clement said of Phillips.

Rep. Clement represented Tennessee's 5th Congressional District for eight terms.

"As someone who served in Congress during a more functional, less divisive time, I know that Mariah is exactly the type of person who can get to work changing the culture of Washington and bringing common sense back to the Congress," added Clement.

Phillips said of the endorsement, "It is truly an honor to have someone as accomplished as Rep. Clement supporting my campaign. He is a great example of what a public servant should be, and if elected, I hope to live up to those standards. He knows that Congress can be a functioning body that solves problems for Tennessee families, and I hope to bring that attitude to Washington."