Wamp, Ramsey cry 'foul' over Pearl's endorsement of Haslam

NASHVILLE - University of Tennessee basketball coach Bruce Pearl's campaigning on behalf of Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Haslam has GOP rivals Zach Wamp and Ron Ramsey crying "foul."

The two question the appropriateness of the public school coach's high-profile efforts for Haslam.

Pearl, who previously gave Haslam's campaign $250 on June 11, today joined Haslam in kicking off a statewide tour in advance of Thursday's Republican primary election. He spoke on behalf of Haslam, the Knoxville mayor, in Jackson and later in Dickson.

In a Twitter statement earlier today, Wamp, a Chattanooga congressman, wrote, "as a UT parent + big supporter of Univ of Tn, I believe Bruce Pearl has no business endorsing candidates for state office."

Ramsey later in the day noted that the Haslam family, which owns and operates a national chain of interstate travel centers through their Pilot Corp., have contributed huge sums to UT over the years.

"It is questionable whether someone with a UT job should be endorsing someone for governor, especially with all the money the Haslams have given UT."

Pearl later told reporters that he sees no problem with endorsing Haslam.

"I work at the University of Tennessee. I'm a citizen of the state of Tennessee," he said. "I care who's going to be our next governor, and I've had the honor and privilege of getting to know Bill. I've worked side by side with him on so many charitable events in Knoxville."

For complete details, see tomorrow's Times Free Press.

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