Tennessee Republicans react to Gordon's retirement on The Murfreesboro Post

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Tennessee Republicans react to Gordon's retirement

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By: MICHELLE WILLARD, Post Staff Writer

Posted: Tuesday, December 15, 2009 2:53 pm

Tennessee’s senior senator had kind words for its senior representative after hearing word of his impending retirement.

"Bart Gordon's leadership on science, technology, and education has been hugely important to the Tennessee Valley and to our country,” Sen. Lamar Alexander said Monday after Gordon announced his retirement plans.

“I have especially valued working with him to enact the 'America COMPETES' legislation, which will help create good new jobs for our future,” Alexander continued. “Bart should be proud of what he's accomplished in 25 years. I will look forward to the next steps in his career."

But not all Republicans feel as kindly toward Gordon.

“Like John Tanner, Bart Gordon can see the writing on the wall in 2010 and has chosen to step aside,” Tennessee Republican Party Chairman Chris Devaney said.

Devaney and 6th Congressional District challenger Lou Ann Zelenik credit Gordon’s decision to growing discontent in the mid-state.

“I commend him for recognizing that the voters are looking for representation that more closely aligns with their values and giving them the opportunity to select a new congressman …” Zelenik said.

“With the departure of Congressman Gordon from the race, I am more firmly grounded in my belief that Tennesseans are looking for new leadership that doesn’t place political career above the critical issues facing our nation,” she added.

Zelenik credited Gordon for his 25 years of service in the Congress.

“I applaud Congressman Gordon for his years of service to the people of Tennessee and for his willingness to accept the changes within our state,” Zelenik said. “When Congressman Gordon came to office, the Sixth District was a very different place than it is today.”

Devaney said the 6th district is ready for a change in Washington and a fresh economic view.

“Rep. Gordon’s decision is further proof that Democrats are sensing the mounting discontent among voters and know they are facing a potentially significant backlash in next year’s elections,” Devaney said. “Rep. Gordon made the right decision and I wish him and his family well as he moves on from his career in the U.S. House of Representatives.”

Michelle Willard can be contacted at 615-869-0816 or mwillard@murfreesboropost.com.

Tagged under Bart Gordon, Chris Davaney, Elections, Lamar Alexander, Lou Ann Zelenik

Member Opinions:

By: biker on 12/15/09
This kind of idiotic pork barrel spending is why I am glad BG is a thing of the past.

By: tdoggie1 on 12/15/09
I am a Democrat and would have voted against Bart Gordon due to his failure to support the Obama healthcare plan...... Do any of these politicians do what is right for the country or are they all n the payroll of big insurance?

By: Farmall on 12/16/09
One of the major problems I had with Bush was all the crazy unnecessary spending. Gordon and most of the rest of the Deomcrats are spending like they won the lottery.

By: Dave42 on 12/18/09
One of the few things Bart did right was to ignore Princess Pelosi and vote no on the takeover of 1/3 of our nations economy. I applaud him for at least standing up against a power grabber like her. Pelosi, Obama, and Ried are putting our country on the pathway to socialist destruction.