NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Sixth District congressional candidate Lou Ann Zelenik has received endorsements from three Republican Tennessee lawmakers.

House Speaker Pro Tempore Judd Matheny and Sens. Mae Beavers and Kerry Roberts announced their support for Zelenik at a news conference Wednesday. Zelenik is challenging Republican incumbent and former state Sen. Diane Black.

Black defeated Zelenik by fewer than 400 votes in the 2010 GOP primary for the seat. Roberts also ran in that primary, and ended up being elected to the seat vacated by Black.

The lawmakers say Black's conservatism is lacking, noting she voted several times to fund President Barack Obama's new health care program.

In response, campaign spokeswoman Jennifer Baker noted a list of Black's endorsers, which includes U.S. Reps. Michele Bachmann and Allen West, and Tennessee Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey.