Tennessee Republicans’ big guns are hosting a series of general election fundraisers this month for GOP gubernatorial nominee Bill Haslam.
Events include a Sept. 24 fundraiser in Chattanooga hosted by U.S. Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., and the senator’s wife, Elizabeth Corker. U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., and his wife, Honey Alexander, will be attending, according to a Haslam news release.
Both U.S. senators officially remained neutral in the primary although top political operatives with ties to both Corker and Alexander worked on behalf of Haslam, who defeated U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp, R-Tenn., and Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, R-Blountville, in the Aug. 5 GOP primary.
Former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., who considered running for governor but didn’t, is hosting an Oct. 4 event in Nashville along with his wife, Karyn, and Middle Tennessee businessman Steve Smith.
Other scheduled events, according to the Haslam release include:
* A Sept. 16 event hosted by, among others, AutoZone founder Pitt Hyde, FedEx founder Fred Smith and his wife, Diane, as well as former Saks Inc. Chairman Brad Martin, who once employed Haslam.
* A Sept. 21 event in Jackson, hosted by state Election Commissioner Jimmy Wallace, Kirkland’s Director Carl Kirkland and wife Alice, and Gary Taylor.
* A Sept. 22 event in Parsons hosted by former nursing home entrepreneur and FirstBank of Tennessee founder Jim Ayers and his wife, Janet, and FirstBank executive and major political fundraiser Scooter Clippard and his wife, Fran.
* A Sept. 27 event in Limestone, hosted by Lt. Gov. Ramsey, and Sandy and Jim Powell.
* A Sept. 28 Knoxville event hosted by Cindi and Pete DeBusk.
Haslam faces Democrat Mike McWherter in the Nov. 2 election. Former President Bill Clinton is scheduled to appear at a Nashville rally and fundraiser this Thursday on behalf of McWherter.
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