Lamar Alexander

As the controversy surrounding the Presidential election and the pandemic have dominated the news lately, some upbeat news about the retirement of a Tennessee political legend has sadly been overshadowed. Lamar Alexander is an extremely talented individual and has been a blessing to the leadership of Tennessee for the past 47 years.

A native of Maryville and graduate of Vanderbilt and NYU law school, Alexander began his political career in 1974 with his only loss ever in a statewide race. In the aftermath of Watergate, Ray Blanton tied Alexander to the disgrace of the Nixon administration (Alexander briefly worked for President Nixon's executive assistant) and defeated him for the governorship.

In 1978, Alexander ran for governor again and traded a suit in for the trademark plaid black and red flannel shirt he became known for wearing. Walking across the state, he connected with the people and defeated Democratic nominee Jake Butcher.

In January 1979, Alexander was asked to take office three days early as a cash for pardon scandal engulfed the conclusion of the Blanton administration. It was a shrewd move by the Constitutional leaders of Tennessee that saved our state further embarrassment from scandal.

Alexander reformed education in Tennessee by introducing merit pay for teachers. He funded much needed road improvements through an increase in the gasoline tax. In his final year in office, he introduced a celebration of state heritage and culture called "Homecoming '86". In that year, I entered and placed third statewide in a young writer competition as a 7th grader at Sycamore Junior High School in Pleasant View.

In 1982, Alexander was opposed for re-election by Knoxville mayor Randy Tyree. This campaign brought him to my native Ashland City for a homecoming football game at Cheatham County Central HS preceded by a parade through town and a walk up legendary Marks Creek Hill. At the time, my father, Alvin Rose, was principal of CCCHS. I got to meet Governor Alexander and informed him that he could not see my dad just yet following the walk up the hill and on to the school. Dad was in his office restroom.

But the governor and my father had a cordial meeting. Dad was a Southern Democrat but wound up voting for Governor Alexander in his successful campaign for re-election.

After leaving the office of governor in 1987, Alexander went on to become President of The University of Tennessee and briefly served as U.S. Secretary of Education under President George Bush 41.

In 1996, Alexander perhaps came closer to being elected President of the United States than most give him credit for. A negative ad campaign by eventual Republican nominee Bob Dole just before the New Hampshire primary slowed down Alexander's momentum. Alexander perhaps would have been a more formidable nominee for Bill Clinton to deal with than Dole wound up being.

A second Presidential bid in 2000 ended in the primary races. George Bush 43 was elected President that year. 

Alexander went on to serve three terms in the United States Senate. His only serious opposition from Democrats came in 2002 after a highly contested Republican primary against then U.S. Representative Ed Bryant. Alexander ended Bob Clement's career with his win that year and recently retired. Bill Hagerty was elected in 2020 to succeed Alexander.

Success in politics does not come easily. Alexander lost but once in state politics and enjoyed perhaps the most successful political career of our time. I sincerely wish him the best in his retirement.

James A. Rose

Publisher