Chris Devaney will have his mind on children as the new head of a Chattanooga-based nonprofit organization, and some may say nothing has changed for him after heading a state political party.
But if the Lookout Mountain resident is able to make the same strides as executive director of the Children’s Nutrition Program of Haiti as he did as chairman of the Tennessee Republican Party, more Haitian children will have a better life.
Under Devaney, who followed another successful party leader, 2010 3rd District congressional candidate Robin Smith, Republicans won the governorship, increased the state’s United States congressional delegation to seven (of nine possible seats), took control of the General Assembly and helped the party achieve super-majorities in both the state House and state Senate.
The party’s “Red to the Roots” campaign, under his leadership, also helped local Republicans win, and he told Times Free Press Nashville Bureau reporter Andy Sher that the party also made strides in organization and fundraising.
Devaney deserves a great deal of thanks from those who believe the party offers serious ideas and common-sense leadership for the state.