Nashville businessman and Democratic mega-donor Bill Freeman says he's not running for the U.S. Senate seat in Tennessee that Sen. Bob Corker plans to vacate next year.

Instead, Freeman is rallying behind former Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen — a onetime rival of Freeman and the last Democrat to win a statewide election in Tennessee — as a potential Democratic candidate.

Bredesen, who served as Tennessee governor from 2003 to 2011, told The Tennessean last week he's not interested in the seat.

► More:Who will jump in race to replace U.S. Sen. Bob Corker?

Freeman, co-founder of Freeman Webb Company, a past campaign fundraiser for Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, and former candidate for Nashville mayor in 2015, issued a one-page statement Wednesday ruling out a a run.

"I am complimented to be listed as a possible candidate to run for the U.S. Senate," Freeman said. "It would be an honor to serve in that capacity. I ran for mayor of Nashville in 2015 because that is the only office that I’ve had the desire, passion and personal interest to pursue. I don’t have that same desire to serve at the national level."

Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke and state Sen. Jeff Yabro, D-Tennessee, are both weighing runs for U.S. Senate after Corker announced last week he won't seek a third term.

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Freeman glowed about Bredesen and also had praise for Nashville attorney and Iraq war veteran James Mackler, the only declared candidate on the Democratic side. He did not mention any other Democrats considering U.S. Senate bids.

Freeman said the Democratic nominee and U.S. senator must put the "needs of our state and country above the need to stroke their partisan ideological platforms."

"The first and only Democrat who comes to mind from more recent years of state politics would be former Nashville Mayor and Governor Phil Bredesen," Freeman said. "Among the Democratic leaders who have shepherded a community and led our state, Mr. Bredesen is in a class by himself."

► More:Nashville attorney, Iraq War vet announces Democratic run for Corker's seat

Freeman noted that Mackler, like Bredesen, is trying to enter politics without any prior elected office experience. Freeman said Mackler has "pledged to provide the best he can provide if elected to this vital seat."

"And his best will be considerable," Freeman said. applauding Mackler's military service.

Mackler this week announced raising an additional $300,000 this past quarter to go on top of $450,000 previously raised for his campaign.

From Bredesen's time as mayor of Nashville, through his eight years as governor, Freeman was considered a political nemesis of Bredesen. But their relationship has since thawed. In April, the two co-hosted a fundraiser for U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Virginia.

Bredesen seemed unequivocal last week when asked whether he's interested in running for Corker's seat.

“No, I’m not interested in that,” Bredesen said. “I feel like I spent my time, I’m pleased with what I did and I’m ready to move on.”

On the Republican side, Gov. Bill Haslam, U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn and former U.S. Rep. Stephen Fincher have said they are considering running for the Senate seat. Conservative activist Andrew Ogles has already declared.

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For Tennessee Democrats, Freeman said 2018 presents "an opportunity we should not squander."

"There has never been a more fertile time in the political landscape to influence the hearts and minds of those who may be disillusioned by the far extreme right that is holding sway over our national politics today."

Reach Joey Garrison at 615-259-8236, jgarrison@tennessean.com and on Twitter @joeygarrison.