Contacted by NashvillePost.com, Clippard said after taking a few months to test the campaign waters he’s decided not to make a political run at this time.
Clippard took a formal, unpaid leave of absence from the bank in May to “pursue personal interests.” Since then he’s been talking to supporters across the state and exploring the option of running for governor.
According to Clippard, to run an effective campaign against incumbent governor Phil Bredesen in 2006 would require the use of negative tactics that he says would erode many of the positive relationships he and his wife have with Democrats across the state. Clippard and his wife Fran co-founded the Center for Living and Learning in Franklin, a residential care facility for people with chronic mental illness.
Though he says many GOPers will be disappointed in his decision, Clippard stated that he is “just not prepared to campaign like that.”
Clippard added that he does believe he has a future place in public service somewhere down the road, perhaps at a time when the political arena “is ripe for a fiscal conservative who doesn’t want to run a negative, bashing campaign.”
Clippard is FirstBank’s chief development officer, as well as a member of the bank’s board of directors and advisory boards. He’s also president and chief executive officer of the Ayers Foundation, FirstBank Chairman Jim Ayers’ education-related philanthropic organization.
In a press release, Clippard stated, “Jim Ayers was kind enough to give me the space and time I needed to explore other opportunities, and I don’t take that for granted…I am dedicated to my work at FirstBank and look forward to helping further its statewide growth.”
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