Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union,” retiring Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN) gave one reason to vote for Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), who is running for his seat in Tennessee.

That according to Corker was her vote for a Republican majority leader.

Partial transcript as follows:

BASH: Can you tell me why Republican Marsha Blackburn is better to represent your state in Tennessee and take your seat than Phil Brenson?

CORKER: I think most people in our state, it is a red state, will focus on the first vote she makes and that is the vote to elect the majority leader. I think at the end of the day that will be a big factor in the race. But the rest of the story wasn’t written during the interview I had with the Christian Science Monitor.

BASH: That’s not a ringing endorsement of Marsha Blackburn to say she should be elected because she will vote for Mitch McConnell.

CORKER: I’m supporting the nominee. I have worked with the nominee for sometime. I don’t know what else to say.

BASH: We’ll leave it there.

Follow Pam Key on Twitter @pamkeyNEN