In an effort to fully dedicate her time to running for governor, Sen. Mae Beavers on Wednesday announced her resignation from the state Senate.

Fighting back tears at a news conference at Mt. Juliet City Hall, Beavers, who launched her bid for governor in early June, said she would submit her resignation letter next Wednesday.

More: Sen. Beavers resignation sets up special election, gives opening for Rep. Mark Pody

"My travels across the state to campaign for governor should not deprive the taxpayers of the 17th senatorial district of the devoted and consistent conservative representation they have come to expect," Beavers said.

She said a special election will ensure the district has someone in time for the 2018 legislative session.

The 69-year-old, who has been in the Senate since 2002, previously served four terms in the House of Representatives. Only four of the 33-members currently in the Senate have served longer than Beavers.

"It is with a heavy heart but also with great excitement that I resign my Senate seat and look forward to a new phase in my campaign to be Tennessee's next governor," she said.

Beavers said her decision, which she initially announced Wednesday afternoon on WWTN 99.7 FM, came after concluding that it was "not possible" to run a statewide-grassroots campaign.

At her announcement, Beavers launched a new campaign motto dubbed "Holding the line," a phrase she quickly used to say she would push back against regulation and tax increases, reign in immigration and refugees, implement "common-sense" policies pertaining to restrooms and the removal of Confederate statues.

► More:Amid protest, Sen. Mae Beavers formally announces bid for governor

Beavers' announcement came less than a week after she declined to rule out that she was considering resigning.

On Friday, Beavers pushed back on speculation that she was resigning after her legislative assistant was seen moving items in her office inside Legislative Plaza.

► More:Mae Beavers touts desire to 'drain the state swamp' to Williamson women

"If we make that decision you'll know about it," she said Friday, adding her assistant was trying to get ahead of the planned relocation of lawmakers' offices.

Beavers' resignation allows her to raise money freely in the lead up to next year's Republican gubernatorial primary.

Lawmakers are subject to a blackout period that prevents them from raising campaign money during the legislative session. House Speaker Beth Harwell, R-Nashville, and House Minority Leader Craig Fitzhugh, D-Ripley, are among the other lawmakers currently running for governor.

Beavers is widely expected to be at a significant fundraising disadvantage among the Republicans in the race, which also includes U.S. Rep. Diane Black, Knoxville entrepreneur Randy Boyd and Williamson County businessman Bill Lee.

In addition to Fitzhugh, former Nashville mayor Karl Dean is seeking the Democratic nomination.

Beavers said she thought it was "a problem" that her opponents could write million-dollar checks to their own campaigns but she's not able to take the same amount from a person.

"That keeps good conservative people who may not have the money from running for governor," she said. "We're going to have to work really hard and we will raise the money and we will get out there and win this race."

Beavers raised just $36,000 during the first month of her campaign while several of her opponents have reported hauls of more than $1 million in donations in the early months of the 2018 race to replace term-limited Republican Gov. Bill Haslam.

Because next year's general election is over a year away, Beavers' resignation from the Senate triggers a special election.

► More:Sen. Mae Beavers doesn't rule out resigning Senate seat for governor's race

Rep. Mark Pody, R-Lebanon, who was at Beavers' Wednesday announcement, has launched a bid the Senate seat. Rep. Susan Lynn, R-Mt. Juliet, who faced Beavers in 2010, said she had no plans to run for Senate.

Wilson County Commissioner Dan Walker is seeking Lynn's seat but said he may have interest in the Senate.

A special primary election could take place as early as October with the general election occurring in late November or early December.

Haslam must first issue what's called a writ of election before the clock can begin for the special election. A primary must be held between 55 and 60 days after Haslam issues the writ of election. The general election would be held 100 to 107 days after the governor's order.

Earlier this year, Haslam issued a writ of election just over two weeks after former Rep. Mark Lovell resigned from the House amidst allegations of inappropriate sexual conduct.

The special election is expected to cost taxpayers more than $100,000.

In Wilson County alone — which is one of six counties that make up Beavers' district — a special election would cost between $80,000 and $100,000, said Phillip Warren, administrator of elections.

Special elections in Cannon and Smith counties are anticipated to cost about $20,000 in each county, election administrators said.

When asked to justify the cost while touting her conservative credentials, Beavers said, "That's the law and that's what it calls for. I think the people of the state of Tennessee deserve for us to have a real shot at having a conservative governor.

"And with the laws in Tennessee its hard for us to operate the campaign and hard for us to raise money through session," she said.

Lynn, who has frequently jousted with Beavers, blasted the state senator, saying she is "always quick to accuse others of not being conservative but the conservative choice would be to wait until November 8th to resign."

A special election would not be necessary if Beavers were to wait until November to resign.

"I think it’s more conservative to wait until November to not generate a special election," said Sen. Jim Tracy, R-Shelbyville, who received phone calls from constituents asking him about the fiscal impact of Beavers' move.

Beavers said the move was necessary now that she's toured the state and seen how much time it takes to run a statewide campaign.

Prior to Beavers, the most recent state senator to resign before the end of his or her term was Jim Kyle, a Democrat who stepped down after winning an election to serve as a Shelby County Chancery Court judge.

Beavers' departure from the Senate could be the first of many. President Donald Trump nominated Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris, R-Collierville, and Sen. Doug Overbey, R-Maryville, to serve as a federal judge and U.S. Attorney, respectively. Their seats would become vacant provided their nominations are approved by the U.S. Senate.

Reach Joel Ebert at jebert@tennessean.com or 615-772-1681 and on Twitter @joelebert29.