Joey Garrison, and Joel Ebert

The Tennessean

In a potential showdown between two of North Nashville's most powerful politicians, Tennessee Rep. Brenda Gilmore, D-Nashville, announced on Tuesday that she will run next year for Senate District 19, the Nashville Senate seat currently held by longtime Democrat Sen. Thelma Harper.

But it's unclear whether Gilmore's campaign will be a primary challenge against the incumbent Harper, who is currently mulling retirement and plans on making a decision after the ongoing legislative session.

Although Harper has filed paperwork to beginning raising money for another run, she said she's undecided whether she'll seek an eighth term for District 19, a predominantly African-American district that includes large swaths of North and Southeast Nashville.

Gilmore, who has held her District 54 Bordeaux-area and Whites Creek seat since 2006, made her announcement in a news release that made no mention of the 76-year-old Harper, who was first elected to the seat in 1990 after serving in Nashville's Metro Council.

"Now more than ever we need leaders with a longstanding record of giving back, listening and responding to constituents’ concerns,” Gilmore said. “I go to work every day and listen to the concerns and frustrations of our citizens. I have been blessed with the opportunity to actually respond and make a real difference. It would be my honor to continue giving back to this community.”

Harper and Gilmore have developed a political rivalry over the years. Gilmore, 64, had considered a primary challenge against Harper in 2014, but ultimately passed.

When asked why she made the announcement during the legislative session — lawmakers typically defer on making campaign decisions until after the General Assembly adjourns — Gilmore said “the culture moves fast all the time.”

“I don’t know if there’s a right or wrong time,” she said.

Gilmore said she appreciates the dedication and sacrifice that Harper has made for the community.

“I say thank you for those many, many years that she’s been out there working for the people,” Gilmore said.

In a statement in response to Gilmore's campaign bid, Harper said her focus right now is "on my constituents and finishing the job they elected me to do."

"It's been my greatest honor to serve Nashville in the state Senate these last 28 years, and it's no secret that I'm considering retirement," Harper said. "I have heard from several exciting new leaders who are eager for an opportunity to serve, and I will make a decision at the appropriate time, when the 110th General Assembly is finished. It will ultimately be up to the people of Nashville who they believe will best represent them in the state Senate."

If Harper opts for retirement, she could have a successor in mind. The Rev. Howard E. Jones Jr., pastor of Fairfield Missionary Baptist Church in Goodlettsville, in February announced he would be willing to run for the Senate seat if Harper retired. Jones purchased Harper's Restaurant from the Harper family in 2015.

In an interview, Harper said she “didn’t pay any attention” to Gilmore’s announcement, noting that she’s been busy with the legislative session.

Harper said she plans on consulting with friends and family about her decision. She said one of her deciding questions will be: “Do you find, in yourself, are you making a difference? That’s one of the things that really prays on my heart.”

In recent years, Harper has generated regular grumbling from some Tennessee Democrats over her votes.

Most recently, Gary Bynum, the chairman of the Davidson County Democratic Party, in February called out Harper for voting for a Republican-sponsored resolution that calls for a boycott of a national legislators meeting in California next year in retaliation for that state's ban on state-funded travel to Tennessee and other states over laws considered anti-LGBT.

Gilmore, a former Metro councilwoman and mother of sitting At-large Councilwoman Erica Gilmore, has a history of knocking off incumbents, having entered the state legislature by defeating then-Rep. Edith Langster in the 2006 Democratic Primary.

Some observers have speculated that Brenda Gilmore's decision to run for Senate could open the door for Erica Gilmore, in the second year of a four-year council term, to run for her mother's seat. But Erica Gilmore told The USA TODAY NETWORK--Tennessee that she's not interested in running for the seat.

Reach Joey Garrison at 615-259-8236 and on Twitter @joeygarrison.