LENOIR CITY, Tenn. (WATE) - The outgoing U.S. Congressional Representative for Tennessee's second district has announced his endorsement to replace him in Washington.

Jimmy Duncan Jr. has announced he will endorse Jimmy Matlock to replace him in the U.S. House of Representatives. Jimmy Matlock currently represents the 21st district in the Tennessee House of Representatives, which encompasses Lenoir City and parts of Loudon and Monroe County.

“He has served in our part-time state legislature with great honor and distinction, and he is a man who knows the important national and international issues we face," Duncan said in a press release.

Duncan has served in congress since 1988 when he won a special election to fill the seat vacated by his father John Duncan, Sr. when he died in office. Duncan has been reelected every two years since to serve Tennessee's second district, which encompasses Knox and several surrounding counties in East Tennessee.

Jimmy Matlock is one of the finest men I have ever known, and he is running for Congress for all the right reasons.”

The Matlock for Congress Campaign announced Tuesday that outgoing Congressman Jimmy Duncan is endorsing conservative businessman Jimmy Matlock in the race to replace him in Washington.

Jimmy Matlock will make a great Congressman, and I am proud to endorse him to replace me.”