Two years ago, Senator Marsha Blackburn replaced Senator Bob Corker. Corker was the sole New Republican elected in 2006. At that time I was the Knox County Republican Party Chairman and Knox County’s votes were significant, I was proud to have a small part in that. Corker and I did not agree on everything, in fact toward the end of his term, We disagreed on more than we agreed. Although, we kept a conversation going and we never got personally disagreeable. He would hear me out. I would hear him out. We would agree to pursue our own paths.
The day after Corker was elected to the United States Senate in 2006 as he flew into Knoxville. I was Knox County Republican Chairman and was behind him celebrating the win.
I was ALL IN for Senator Marsha Blackburn in 2018
US Senator Marsha Blackburn and myself after her November 2018 win
As for Lamar! I went with my parents and the Carter High School Band on my parents school bus to Lamar’s first inauguration as Governor (1979). I supported Lamar! in the Republican Primary for President (I believe 1996) Fast Forward to 2002, as he ran for the United States Senate, I was an elected member of the Knox County School Board, when he visited Cedar Bluff Middle School, I was there to showcase a school in the district I served.
Again, Lamar! and I don’t always agree on issues, however, I do enjoy when he arrives in Knoxville and I am there, when he gets out of the car, he says “ Hello Brian.” I enjoy our talks, last September as we went through the food line at the TN Valley Fair Business and Government Leaders lunch we talked about the Senate, Majority Leader McConnell, his wife Honey and of course life in West Millers Cove and he of course asked about my family. He and Honey have a son named Drew as my wife and I have Drew who was our first born.
Senator Lamar Alexander and I before going through the food line at the TN Valley Fair Business and Government Leaders Lunch.
TN US Senate Candidate Bill Hagerty and I
myself and Dr. Manny just before he got on the bus to head across TN
In the last year, I have gotten to know Ambassador Bill Hagerty and Dr. Manny Sethi I like them both, either one will do a great job. Having not been on the inside of either camp, I feel like Delmar in the movie Oh Brother Where Art Thou as Pete (Dr. Manny) and Everett (Bill Hagerty) are contemplating how to escape after failing to jump the train, watch it below.
