By a unanimous vote of the Executive Committee of the Tennessee Democratic Party, Gray Sasser, a Nashville attorney, was elected Saturday to serve as chairman of the Tennessee Democratic Party for the 2007-2008 term.
He will take the reigns from outgoing Chairman Bob Tuke, who chose not to seek another term at the party’s helm.
“I thank the executive committee for having the faith to entrust the Party’s leadership to me for the next two years,” Mr. Sasser said. “I’m excited about taking on a leadership role at this historic juncture for Tennessee Democrats.”
The 38-year-old Sasser said he looks forward to supporting Gov. Phil Bredesen’s agenda, including "improving the state’s education system and expanding access to affordable health care for all Tennesseans."
He said, “Voters in all of Tennessee’s 95 counties demonstrated their commitment to good government and finding common-sense solutions to those problems affecting average Tennesseans by voting for Governor Bredesen. I appreciate the Executive Committee for entrusting me with this important task of working with Tennessee Democrats to promote the Governor’s vision for a new Tennessee.”
Mr. Tuke thanked Tennessee Democrats for “giving him the honor of being their leader” and praised Sasser as “the right man at the right time for this party.”
“I could not be more pleased about Gray’s election as chairman. He brings vision, energy, and vitality to the position,” Mr. Tuke said. “I am confident we will continue to be strong under Gray’s leadership.”
Mr. Sasser, son of former U.S. Senator Jim Sasser, has served as legal counsel for TNDP for the last four years. As an attorney with the Nashville office of Miller and Martin, PLLC he has concentrated on corporate and international law, with an emphasis on mergers and acquisitions, securities and venture capital investments. He has also worked with local entrepreneurs, advising on general business issues and entity formation.
He and his wife, Kathryn, live in Nashville.