First round of Democrats and Independents includes former Congressman John Tanner, seven former or current mayors, former UT football Coach Johnny Majors, an Olympic Gold Medalist and numerous civic and political leaders from across the state
NASHVILLE – The Alexander for Senate campaign today announced the first round of "Tennesseans for Alexander," a list of Democrats and Independents statewide who are supporting Lamar Alexander's re-election to the U.S. Senate this fall.
"Every time I've run for office I've done my best to earn the support of Democrats and Independents as well as Republicans, because it is my job to represent all Tennesseans once I am elected," Alexander said. "My goal is to get results, and that means working with people who know how to help solve problems for Tennessee and for our country."
During his 2008 re-election campaign, Alexander announced two rounds of "Tennesseans for Alexander," totaling more than 50 members. This year's first round includes 30 members.
Former Congressman John Tanner, a Democrat who represented the 8th Congressional District from 1989 to 2011 and was in the Tennessee General Assembly from 1976 to 1988, joined the group this year. Tanner said he is supporting Alexander after years of working together on roads, the Northwest Tennessee Regional Port Authority and other issues.
"There are times in this business when friendships and loyalties should be more important than politics, and this is one of those times," Tanner said. "Lamar Alexander has always been a friend and loyal to my old district, helping us do everything we needed to do to be successful and bring jobs to rural West Tennessee."
This year's list is geographically balanced across East, Middle and West Tennessee and also includes seven current or former mayors, an Olympic gold medalist, former University of Tennessee Coach Johnny Majors and numerous civic and political leaders. The list includes:
East Tennessee
Oak Ridge Mayor Tom Beehan
Etta Clark, Eastman executive from Kingsport
Jim Hall of Chattanooga, aide to former Gov. Ned McWherter and chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board during the Clinton administration
Jack Fishman, Morristown-based business man, civic leader and newspaper publisher
Former University of Tennessee President Joe Johnson
Former Chattanooga Mayor Jon Kinsey
Johnny Majors, former University of Tennessee football coach
Former State Senator Carl Moore of Bristol
Former Knox County Mayor Tommy Schumpert
Middle Tennessee
Steve Bogard, Nashville songwriter
Dave Cooley, deputy and chief of staff to former Gov. Phil Bredesen
Aubrey Harwell, prominent Nashville attorney
State Senator Doug Henry, longest-serving member of the Tennessee General Assembly
Patsy Mathews, political activist and widow of former U.S. Senator Harlan Mathews
Linda Peak Schacht, Nashville university professor and former aide to President Jimmy Carter and former Senate Majority Leader Robert Byrd
James Pratt, former staffer to former U.S. Senator Jim Sasser
Former Nashville Mayor Bill Purcell
Fate Thomas, Jr. of Nashville, who recently resurrected the Sure Shot Rabbit Hunter's Supper, a gathering for Middle Tennessee politicians founded by his father, the late Sheriff Fate Thomas
Anna Windrow, Nashville business woman, former aide to former Lt. Gov. Frank Gorrell, former Senator Jim Sasser and former Gov. Phil Bredesen
Emily Wiseman, former executive director of the Tennessee Commission on Aging
West Tennessee
Laura Adams, executive director of Shelby Farms Park
Former State Supreme Court Judge George Brown, the first African American to serve on the court, appointed by then-Gov. Alexander
Brenda Duckett, Memphis business woman and community education activist
Jackson Mayor Jerry Gist
Bishop William Graves of Memphis, former senior bishop of Christian Methodist Episcopal Church and former member of the Tennessee Valley Authority board
Former Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton
Cato Johnson, Memphis hospital executive
Former Shelby County Mayor Bill Morris
Rochelle Stevens, Memphis business woman and Olympic gold medalist
Former Congressman John Tanner