Nashville, Feb. 7 – The Alexander campaign today announced that all 13 living former Tennessee Republican Party chairs will serve as honorary co-chairmen of the Statewide Committee to Reelect Lamar Alexander. The announcement follows the campaign’s recent announcements of political and finance leadership.

Congressman John J. Duncan, Jr., says: “This unprecedented support shows how much Republicans appreciate Lamar Alexander’s leadership as governor and senator building a conservative grassroots, statewide Republican Party.”

Alexander said, “I am grateful for the support from men and women who have helped the Tennessee Republican Party grow from a minority of voters to our state’s dominant political party.”

The terms of the 13 Republican chairmen span the last four decades from S.L. “Kopie” Kopald, Jr., of Memphis who served from 1971 to 1974 to Robin Smith of Chattanooga, the most recent of the 13 to serve as state party chairman.

The complete group of former state party chairs endorsing Senator Alexander include:

Robin Smith, 2007-2009

Bob Davis, Jr., 2004-2007

Beth Harwell, 2001-2004

John “Chip” Saltsman, 1998-2001

Jim Burnett, 1996-1998

Randle Richardson, 1993-1995

Tommy Hopper, 1990-1992

Brad Martin, 1988-1990

Jim Henry, 1985-1988

Susan Richardson Williams, 1982-1985

Charles L. Overby, 1981-1982

Tom Beasley, 1977-1981

S.L. “Kopie” Kopald, Jr., 1971- 1974

Alexander announced on December 1 that Congressman John J. Duncan, Jr., will serve as his campaign chairman and that his campaign co-chairmen are Governor Bill Haslam, Senator Bob Corker, Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, Speaker Beth Harwell, as well as Congressmen Blackburn, Roe, Black, Fincher and Fleischmann.

Last week his campaign announced four Tennessee fundraisers that state finance chairman Steve Smith predicted will raise $3 million to add to the $1 million the senator already has for his re-election.

State party by-laws prohibit current party chairman, Chris Devaney, from endorsing a candidate. The campaign plans to announce additional members of its statewide committee in the coming weeks.

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