Senate Speaker and Lieutenant Governor Ron Ramsey (R-Blountville) announced on Wednesday that he will not be seeking re-election, instead retiring at the end of this legislative session after a 24-year legislative career. In an emotional address to the Senate, Ramsey stated that he was retiring to spend more time with his growing family. His fifth grandchild was born on the day of his announcement.
Lieutenant Governor Ramsey was first elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives and won election to the State Senate in 1996. He was elected Speaker of the Senate and Lieutenant Governor in 2007 and has served as Speaker for five terms.
The University of Tennessee Government Relations and Advocacy team has enjoyed a productive working relationship with Ramsey over the course of his legislative career and appreciates his service to the people and State of Tennessee. “Lieutenant Governor Ramsey has been very helpful to the University and I’ve enjoyed working with him since I came to UT in 2005,” said Anthony Haynes, UT Vice President for Government Relations and Advocacy.
Speculation has already begun regarding Ramsey’s successor, with reports that Senate Finance Chairman Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge), Senate Speaker Pro Tempore Bo Watson (R-Chattanooga), Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris (R-Collierville), and Senate Commerce Chairman Jack Johnson (R-Franklin) are considering running for the position.
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