NASHVILLE — Gov. Phil Bredesen, along with four of Tennessee’s five Democratic congressman, the state Democratic Party chairman and five former party chairmen are supporting Charles Robert Bone over Chip Forrester for the new state party chairman.
Noting that Democrats face a “critical” time now that Republicans have majorities in the state House and Senate for the first time since post-Civil War Reconstruction, a letter from Democrats supporting Mr. Bone says the next chair must be a “strong leader” with “proven fundraising ability and a plan to retake the legislature.”
The Democrats said Mr. Bone “has the right experience and is the most qualified candidate to move the party forward. He brings a lot of energy, a fresh face and will connect with a new generation.”
Mr. Bone, 34, a Nashville attorney, formerly worked for U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon, D-Tenn., and served as finance chairman in Democrat Harold Ford Jr.’s 2006 U.S. Senate campaign.
He said he believes Tennessee Democrats are “at a real crossroads.” Citing successes of the Democratic parties in North Carolina and Virginia, Mr. Bone noted Democrats there “have built a sustainable infrastructure” and are “very disciplined in messaging.”
Bredesen spokeswoman Lydia Lenker had no comment on the letter, calling it “self-explanatory.” Others signing the letter include Rep. Gordon; U.S. Rep. Lincoln Davis, D-Tenn.; U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper, D-Tenn.; and U.S. Rep. John Tanner, D-Tenn. Current state party chairman Gray Sasser, who is not seeking re-election, also signed the letter.
Efforts to contact Mr. Forrester, currently state party treasurer and a former state party executive director, were unsuccessful. He also served as state director for then-U.S. Sen. Al Gore Jr.
On the blog newscoma.com, he was quoted last month as saying it is “imperative that we focus on retaining control of the Democratic offices we have and work to regain our majorities in both the state House and Senate if Democrats are to be the majority party in Tennessee once again.”
In November elections, Republicans strengthened their control of the state Senate to 19-14 while gaining a razor-thin 50-49 majority in the House.
The party chairman is elected by State Executive Committee members who are expected to convene Jan. 24.
What’s next
The Democratic Party chairman is elected by State Executive Committee members who are expected to convene Jan. 24.
Andy Sher is a Nashville-based staff writer covering Tennessee state government and politics for the Times Free Press. A Washington correspondent from 1999-2005 for the Times Free Press, Andy previously headed up state Capitol coverage for The Chattanooga Times, worked as a state Capitol reporter for The Nashville Banner and was a contributor to The Tennessee Journal, among other publications. Andy worked for 17 years at The Chattanooga Times covering police, health care, county government, ...
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