NASHVILLE — Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., is entering the 2018 Senate race to replace retiring Sen. Bob Corker, ending a week's worth of speculation and immediately catapulting her to front-runner status as others consider launching their own bids.

In an online video released Thursday, Blackburn touted her conservative credentials while in Congress and the Tennessee legislature and her support for President Trump and his policies.

Calling the Senate dysfunctional and "enough to drive you nuts," she said that ineffectiveness is why she's decided to enter the race.

"I know the left calls me a wingnut or a knuckle-dragging conservative. And you know what, I say that’s alright, bring it on," Blackburn said in the video.

Touching on the Senate's failure to repeal the Affordable Care Act, Blackburn said, "too many Senate Republicans act like Democrats or worse."

Her announcement comes less than an hour after Gov. Bill Haslam, who was weighing a bid for the seat, said he will not launch a campaign.

Corker said last week he would not seek a third term, sparking a frenzy of interest in the race among Tennessee politicians.

Blackburn's candidacy affirms what many had expected since Corker's announcement and could potentially set the stage for an expensive Republican primary.

Although conservative activist Andy Ogles is the only other Republican in the race so far, Haslam was encouraged by many, including Sen. Lamar Alexander, to consider running.

If Blackburn were to win, she would become the first woman to represent Tennessee in the U.S. Senate.