Two days after announcing his intention to run for governor in 2010, Rep. Zach Wamp (R) earned the endorsement of former Sen. Bill Brock (R) on Wednesday.

“I am pleased today to strongly endorse and support Congressman Zach Wamp in his campaign to become Tennessee’s next Governor,” Brock said in a statement. “Zach has set a new standard with his energetic leadership, common-sense approach and ability to get things done that really matter to the people of Tennessee.”

Brock hails from Wamp’s hometown of Chattanooga and held Wamp’s 3rd district seat for four terms before making the jump to the Senate in 1970. He went on to serve as chairman of the Republican National Committee and as secretary of Labor under President Ronald Reagan. In more recent years he moved to Maryland, where he mounted an unsuccessful Senate campaign against then-Sen. Paul Sarbanes (D) in 1994.

“I proudly stand on the shoulders of Bill Brock and his legacy of leadership, and I am deeply grateful for his early endorsement and active support in my campaign,” Wamp said.

The seven-term Congressman’s gubernatorial bid creates an open-seat contest in the 3rd district, but GOP operatives on Capitol Hill expressed confidence this week that they’ll hold down the reliably conservative seat in a district hasn’t voted for a Democrat in a presidential contest since 1996.

Some potential Republican House candidates that are starting to garner attention are businessman Wayne Cropp, state GOP Chairwoman Robin Smith and state Sen. Bo Watson.

Possible Democratic candidates include Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield and state party Chairman Randy Button.