Sources: Son of former governor mulling U.S. Senate bid

Mike McWherter, whose father was one of the state's most popular politicians, is said to be eyeing a run against Lamar Alexander in '08

Email | Print By Ken Whitehouse

Former Tennessee Gov. Ned McWherter

Michael Ray McWherter, 51, son of former Tennessee Gov. Ned McWherter, is considering a run for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Lamar Alexander, according to NashvillePost.com sources.

Mike McWherter, as he is known, is owner and operator of Central Distributors, a Jackson, Tenn.-based Anheuser-Busch distributing company, as well as vice chairman of First State Bank of Union City.

In the 1980's, McWherter practiced law in Nashville at Donelson, Stokes & Bartholomew. He is a graduate of both Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt School of Law. He and his wife Mary Jane have two children and live in Jackson.

In the past few days, McWherter has been spotted making the rounds with Democratic leaders in Washington, D.C. He is known to have met with representatives of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. The DSCC is the U.S. Senate candidate fundraising and recruiting arm of the Democratic National Committee.

"I have spoken with Mike and several other potential candidates," said Gray Sasser, chairman of the Tennessee Democratic Party, when contacted by NashvillePost.com. "Should Mike decide to run, he would be a terrific candidate for the U.S. Senate. I firmly believe that Sen. Alexander is beatable in 2008. Tennesseans, like the rest of America, are ready for a change and are disappointed that Sen. Alexander continues to back the failed policies of George Bush and Karl Rove, voting with the Bush administration more than 90 percent of the time."

No stranger to the political world, McWherter has been intensely involved in Tennessee politics throughout his life. Well known among the state's Democratic activists, McWherter served most recently as treasurer of State Sen. Lowe Finney's successful campaign that unseated party-switcher Don McLeary. He has been a longtime political advisor to West Tennessee Democratic Congressman John Tanner.

From 1987 to 1995, Ned Ray McWherter served as Tennessee's governor. Arguably one of the most popular politicans in recent Tennessee history, alongside Republicans like former U. S. Sen. Howard Baker and the late East Tennessee Congressman Jimmy Quillen, the elder McWherter still looms large over Tennessee's political landscape. In the years after he left office, it was not uncommon to see "I miss Ned" bumper-stickers on cars throughout the state.

While name recognition will not be a problem for McWherter, he will have a serious battle if he hopes to unseat Alexander from the U.S. Senate. Alexander preceeded the elder McWherter in the governor's office, and he remains a force to contend with as a popular and well-ensconced member of the state's political establishment.

When contacted by NashvillePost.com, Alexander's chief of staff Tom Ingram said, "We expect an opponent. We will face any challenge, any and all."

Ironically, it was the elder McWherter who helped maneuver Alexander's early swearing in as governor in 1979, to expedite the end of the scandal-plagued administration of Gov. Ray Blanton.

Most political observers had anticipated Tennessee Democrats to put up a sacrifical lamb against Alexander. Should McWherter enter the race, it will be apparent that they are not taking the election lying down.

Neither Mike or Ned McWherter could be reached for comment.