Former Tennessee governor Don Sundquist has died after a short illness
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — — Don Sundquist, a Republican who was twice elected governor of Tennessee and also served 12 years in Congress, died Sunday. He was 87.
Sundquist never lost an election in eight tries in Tennessee — six for Congress and two for governor — but he emerged as a divisive figure during his final years in office as the state feuded over whether to create an income tax.He kept the seat until running for governor in 1994 when he became Tennessee’s 47th chief executive. He easily won re-election in 1998.
In his second term, Sundquist proposed repealing the sales tax on groceries, saving each Tennessee family of four nearly $500 per year. He also recommended repealing the franchise and excise taxes and replacing them with a “fair business tax” that treats all companies the same. The levy was 2 1/2 percent on profits and 2 1/2 percent on salaries for all companies.
In Congress, Sundquist voted against banning assault weapons, helped write and pass a comprehensive ethics code and supported a capital gains tax cut and a balanced budget amendment. He opposed the 1990 Civil Rights Act. He was national chairman of the Young Republican National Federation from 1971 to 1973 and spent almost 20 years doing grassroots work for the GOP.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Former 2-term Republican Tennessee Gov. Don Sundquist dies at 87Former Tennessee governor Don Sundquist has died after a short illness
Read more »
Former 2-term Republican Tennessee Gov. Don Sundquist dies at 87Former Tennessee governor Don Sundquist has died after a short illness. He was 87. The family of the two-term Republican governor says he died peacefully at a Memphis hospital surrounded by family members following a short illness.
Read more »
Don't Call the Lamborghini Lanzador a Crossover—and Don’t Expect to See It SoonLamborghini's first battery-electric showing is more than meets the eye.
Read more »
Appellate judges revive Jewish couple's lawsuit alleging adoption bias under Tennessee lawAn appeals panel has revived a couple’s lawsuit that alleges a Tennessee law unconstitutionally protects a decision by a state-sponsored Christian adoption agency not to help them because they are Jewish.
Read more »
Appellate judges revive Jewish couple's lawsuit alleging adoption bias under Tennessee lawAn appeals panel has revived a couple’s lawsuit that alleges a Tennessee law unconstitutionally protects a decision by a state-sponsored Christian adoption agency not to help them because they are Jewish
Read more »
Tennessee school's 'teacher of the month' charged in student sex caseTennessee geometry teacher Casey McGrath, 28, faces aggravated statutory rape charges for sexual contact with a student, according to an indictment.
Read more »