NASHVILLE - Tennessee Comptroller Justin Wilson announced Wednesday he won't seek a seventh term in January in the post he has held since 2009.
Wilson is asking fellow Republicans in the General Assembly who make the appointment to support his top deputy, Jason Mumpower, as his successor.
"While the decision is yours," the 75-year-old attorney wrote in his letter to lawmakers, "I am pleased to offer Jason my full and wholehearted endorsement to serve as Tennessee's 35th Comptroller of the Treasury."
Wilson called Mumpower, a former House Republican leader who famously lost a bid to become speaker by one vote in 2009, the "right person to lead our committed effort to provide independent audits, objective research, and most of all, conservative fiscal management.
"I know he cares deeply about our state and the Comptroller's Office," Wilson added.
Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, the Republican Senate speaker from Oak Ridge, tweeted that "Wilson is a giant in Tennessee state government. His service to our state has been unparalleled. Whether it was as Deputy Governor, Commissioner of Environment and Conservation, or as our beloved Comptroller, Justin has always put the interests of Tennessee over his own."
Wilson's unexpected late announcement appears to give Mumpower the advantage in winning the post. But Mumpower likely won't be taking anything for granted given his harrowing 2009 experience when House Republicans gained a tight 50-49 majority over Democrats and then-Bristol legislator and GOP leader Mumpower appeared to be a shoo-in to become speaker.
Democrats, however, had secretly persuaded then-Republican Rep. Kent Williams of Elizabethton to run for speaker. Williams was elected speaker on the floor after all 49 Democrats voted for him, with Williams casting the deciding vote for himself.
Saying it has been a "joy and an adventure to serve our state," Wilson touted the state's ongoing "commitment to low taxes, low debt, and strong financial management." Tennessee's fiscal stability, he said, "has proven critically important as we have dealt with the economic challenges and uncertainty surrounding the pandemic."
Tennessee is "well positioned for the future," Wilson said. "As I have contemplated my own future, I have determined that now is the time for me to step aside. Although it has been my wonderful privilege to serve as your Comptroller, I will not seek a seventh term."
Known for his wry sense of humor, Wilson is fond of calling himself the "beloved comptroller." During the annual December State Funding Board meetings when officials set state revenue estimates for upcoming budgets, Wilson often sports a tie featuring the Grinch. On Halloween, he has been known to don a black cape.
The state comptroller is one of three constitutional officers elected by the Tennessee legislature, the other two being the secretary of state and treasurer. As comptroller, Wilson is in charge of auditing state and local government entities and also participates in the general financial and administrative management of state government.
Contact Andy Sher at asher@timesfreepress.com or 615-255-0550. Follow him on Twitter @AndySher1.