For Immediate Release / March 15, 2007                                                                                                         Contact: Kara Watkins
 

NASHVILLE - The Republican leadership in both houses sent a letter to former United States Senator Fred Thompson this week, encouraging him to enter the presidential race.  Speculation about a run for the White House erupted over the weekend, after Thompson appeared on Fox News and said he was “considering running” for president.

The letter cites Thompson’s “exemplary service” to the state of Tennessee, calling him a “staunch conservative” and “a man of his word with good commonsense values.”  The letter thanks him for his service to Tennessee and the United States, and enthusiastically calls for Thompson to become a candidate for the presidency.

The letter is signed by the Republican leaders of each house, as well as the Republican caucus chairmen, and an overwhelming majority of both caucus’ members. “Fred Thompson has shown that he has a keen ability to lead,” said House Minority Leader Jason Mumpower.  “We believe that he is a staunch conservative who would lead with integrity, and we are encouraging him to take his red pickup truck across America.”

Kara Watkins

Press Secretary

TN House Republican Caucus

(615) 741-1975 Ext. 44701

Room 102 War Memorial Building

Senator Fred Thompson
P.O. Box 143
Hermitage, TN  37076

Dear Fred,

        We are writing to enthusiastically urge you to become a candidate for the Presidency of the United States.  We believe that you are the right candidate at this time in our country's history to both unite our party and to lead this nation into a new era.

        As Tennesseans, we are proud of your exemplary service to our state and this nation as our former United State Senator.  We believe you have the attributes to serve our nation in this highest office, beginning with your honorable service in our state as a prosecutor and then as a nationally renowned counsel during the Watergate investigation.

        We also believe you have the kind of experience needed on the international level, as special counsel to both the Senate Foreign Relations and Senate Intelligence Committees, and later as a leader on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the Chariman of the Subcommittee on International Economic Policy, Exprot and Trade Promotion.

        On the domestic front, your distinguished work as Chair of the Special Committee on the Aging and Chair of the Subcommittee on Youth Violence, are two of the many reasons that you have the kind of insight needed on some of the most important domestic issues facing America today.

        We know you as a staunch conservative, a man of his word with good commonsense values and a deep appreciation for those of all walks of life.  It is for that reason, along with those listed above and many more, that we ask you to take the "red pickup truck" across America to do what you have always done so well - win elections.

        Than you for your outstanding service to Tennessee and our nation.  We hope you will continue that service as the next President of the United States of America.

        Sincerely,
 
 

Ron Ramsey Lieutenant Governor

Mark Norris Senate Majority Leader

Jason Mumpower House Minority Leader

 

Diane Black Senate Majority Caucus Chairman

Glean Casada House Minority Caucus Chairman

 

Representative Jon Lundberg Representative Judd Matheny Representative Mike Harrison Representative Parkey Strader Senator Rusty Crowe Senator Bill Ketron Senator Raymond Finney Senator Paul Stanley Senator Tim Burchett Representative William Baird Representative Matthew Hill Representative Brian Kelsey

Senator Jim Tracy Senator Mae Beavers Senator Bo Watson Senator Jamie Woodson Senator Jack Johnson Senator Dewayne Bunch Senator Steve Southerland Senator Randy McNally Representative Mike Bell Representative Kent Williams Representative Tom DuBois Representative Gerald McCormick

 

Representative Kevin Brooks Representative Jim Cobb Representative Chris Crider Representative Jim Coley Representative Vince Dean Representative Jimmy Matlock Representative Eric Swafford Representative Debra Maggart Representative Joe McCord Representative Dale Ford Representative Steve McManus Representative Phillip Johnson

Representative Frank Niceley Representative Harry Brooks Representative Jimmy Eldridge Representative Steve McDaniel Representative David Hawk Representative Dolores Gresham Representative Ron Lollar Representative Susan Lynn Representative Beth Harwell Representative Doug Overbey Representative Joey Hensley Representative Curtis Johnson

 

Representative Dennis Roach Representative Richard Montgomery Representative Charles Sargent Representative Eric Watson Representative Curry Todd

Representative Donna Rowland Representative Richard Floyd