Harlan Mathews

Harlan Mathews
United States Senator fromTennessee
In office January 2, 1993 – December 1, 1994
Appointed by	Ned McWherter
Preceded by	Al Gore
Succeeded by	Fred Thompson
38thTennessee State Treasurer
In office March 31, 1974 – January 17, 1987
Governor	Winfield Dunn Ray Blanton Lamar Alexander
Preceded by	Thomas A. Wiseman, Jr.
Succeeded by	Steve Adams
Personal details
Born	(1927-01-17)January 17, 1927 Sumiton, Alabama,U.S.
Died	May 9, 2014(2014-05-09)(aged 87) Nashville, Tennessee,U.S.
Resting place	Harpeth Hills Cemetery, Nashville, Tennessee
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Pat Jones
Children	3
Alma mater	Jacksonville State University Vanderbilt University
Profession	Lawyer
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Navy
Years of service	1944–1946

Harlan Mathews(January 17, 1927 – May 9, 2014) was an American politician who was an appointed interimDemocraticUnited States SenatorfromTennesseefrom 1993 to 1994. He previously served in the executive and legislative branches of state government in Tennessee for more than 40 years beginning in 1950.

Early life and education

Harlan Mathews was born January 17, 1927, inSumiton, Alabama,the son of John William Mathews and Lillian (Young) Mathews. In 1944, after high school, he enlisted in theU.S. Navyand served until 1946. Returning to Alabama, he graduated from Jacksonville State College (nowJacksonville State University) with aB.A. degreein 1949.

After graduating, Mathews obtained amaster's degreein public administration fromVanderbilt Universityin 1950.He began work on GovernorGordon Browning's planning staff. WhenFrank G. Clementwas elected governor in 1954, Mathews moved to the state's budget staff. A year after beginning his service as commissioner of finance and administration in 1961, he completed his law degree in 1962 from theYMCANight Law School, nowNashville School of Law.

Early political career

Mathews joined the staff of thegovernor of Tennesseein 1950, serving governorsGordon Browning,Frank G. ClementandBuford Ellington.From 1961-1971 he served as commissioner of finance and administration.

In January 1971, Mathews left the cabinet and entered the private sector for two years, working for Amcon International inMemphis.In 1973, he became the legislative assistant to longtimeTennessee Comptroller of the TreasuryBill Snodgrass.In 1974, Mathews was elected state treasurer by theTennessee General Assemblyafter his predecessor,Tom Wiseman,resigned to run for governor. TheTennessee General Assemblyelected Mathews to his first full two-year term astreasurerin 1975,where he served until January 1987, when he became deputy to GovernorNed R. McWherter.

U.S. Senate

In 1993,Tennessee GovernorNed McWherterappointed Mathews to the U.S. Senate following the resignation ofAl Gore,who resigned to serve asVice President of the United States.Upon appointing Mathews to the senate, McWherter announced Mathews’ role would be one of caretaker, to allow those who wanted to run for the position to prepare their campaigns.

In mid-1993, Mathews expressed a desire to run in November 1994 for election to the remainder of Gore's senate term. "Hardly a day goes by that I don't get encouraged to get in there and offer myself" for next year's election, he said in July 1993.Mathews ultimately decided not to run in the special election and in December 1994, afterFred Thompsonwas elected to the seat, Mathews left office and resumed a law practice inNashville, Tennessee.

Death

Mathews died ofbrain canceron May 9, 2014, at a hospice in Nashville.He was survived by his wife, Pat, and two sons. A third son, Richard Mathews, preceded him in death.

References

• United States Congress."Harlan Mathews (id: M000236)".Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• Tennessee Blue Book,2001-02 Edition

External links

• Senator Harlan Mathews Papers, 1993-1994,Tennessee State Library and Archives.
• Senator Harlan Mathews Papers Addition, 1992-1994,Tennessee State Library and Archives.
• AppearancesonC-SPAN