Haslam announces ‘grassroots leaders’ from 95 counties

Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam recently named the first round of his statewide leadership team chaired by former Senator Howard Baker, Jr. The group includes more than 1,000 grassroots and community leaders and represents all 95 counties.

“I’ve enjoyed the opportunities I’ve had so far to meet people all over Tennessee - in their offices, on their front porches, in small settings and in large groups,” said Haslam, “I’m honored and humbled by the support we’re receiving in every county for our campaign.”

Haslam said that he and his staff have been working from day one to build teams in every county across the state so that each Tennessean will have the opportunity to hear his message and be a part of his campaign that focuses on job growth, education reform and fiscal responsibility. These leadership teams have already been vital in helping set up campaign events and they are actively recruiting other grassroots supporters in all 95 counties.

“We started out with the goal of making sure we had leadership in every county by the end of 2009,” Haslam said. “We’ve been overwhelmed by the number of people that have called us and wanted to be part of our campaign, and that’s allowed us to create a deep roster of leaders across the state. We look forward to building an even stronger team as we move into 2010.”

In November, the campaign announced it had received more than 6,000 contributions and had raised another $1 million since June, bringing the total raised to $4.89 million.

“This initial list is comprised of passionate grassroots and community leaders who understand what a critical time it is for our state,” said Mark Cate, Campaign Manager. “They want a leader who has the proven experience, knowledge, and temperament that is needed to be Governor-and we invite all Tennesseans to be a part of our campaign.”

Haslam is the two term Mayor of Knoxville. He was re-elected in 2007 with 87 percent of the vote. Bill and Crissy Haslam have two daughters, Annie and Leigh, and a son, Will, who resides in Knoxville with his wife, Hannah.

Listed from Blount County are:

Matt and Christy Alexander

Fonda Angel

Sandy Beall

Byron Begley

Joy Bishop

Mary Bogert

Sue and Wilson Borden

Starr Bragg

Mike Brown

Joy and Will Carver

Kevin Clayton

Lynn and Whitney Cox

Roy Crawford, Jr.

Jerry Cunningham

Matthew Disney

Suzette Donovan

Dr. Dick Evans

Sally Evans

Larry Garner

Linda Hageman

Ed Harmon

Clifford “Bo”Henry

Steve Hillis

Tommy Hunt

Angie and Mike Kirby

Maribel Koella

Fred Lawson

Mike Lewis

Fred Metz

Don Mull

Amanda and Kevin Painter

Kevin Painter

Eric Rice

Molly Rice

Christi Sayles

Brad Sayles

Brenda Sellers

Rick Shepard

Don Story

Joe Swann

Matt Webb

Charles West

Amanda Whaley

Kahren and Andy White

Linda Whitehead

George Williams