Governor Bill Haslam, Senator Lamar Alexander, and Congressman Phil Roe Visit Jefferson County

Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam, Senator Lamar Alexander, and U.S. Congressman Phil Roe
Staff Photo by Jeff Depew

Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam and Jefferson County Mayor Alan Palmieri
Staff Photo by Jeff Depew

Governor Bill Haslam, US Senator Lamar Alexander and their entourage made a stop at the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse on Wednesday afternoon, August 6, 2014. The Governor, Senator and a host of politicos were on the election trail just one day shy of Election Day across the State of Tennessee.

Alexander was absent last week, when his bus made it to Dandridge but he was still in Washington, DC and sent his son, instead, to make a presentation to a longtime employee of Jefferson County who was honored with a retirement luncheon. US Congressman Phil Roe, MD of the 1st District was also on hand Thursday to help boost voter interest. Jefferson County is just one of many stops that the Republican duo will make in hopes of inspiring Tennesseans to vote in Thursday’s election and bringing conservatives to the polls.

Vehicles for Governor Haslam and Senator Alexander rolled into town shortly before the duo made their appearance at the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse. While early voting numbers have been high in some parts of the State, locally the turnout has not been strong. Republicans are pushing for conservative voters to take the time to vote and they are in the homestretch, with the polls opening in less than 24 hours. The GOP has a lot riding on this election and a less than cohesive base, due to a push from the most conservative in the party to change the face of the Tennessee Supreme Court, that has some in the State focused on the fault lines within the core of the Republican Party. The Governor and Senator are planning to visit more than 18 counties together in an unusually strong show of solidarity that could either bring the appearance of unity to the party and quell rumors or come across as overkill in an already deep red state.

Senator Lamar Alexander
Staff Photo by Jeff Depew