- JB
- Commissioner Wyatt Bunker
Little more than a week after he publicly repudiated the presence of his name on a list of county commissioners endorsing Zach Wamp for governor, professing neutrality instead, Shelby County Commissioner Wyatt Bunker has endorsed Knoxville mayor Bill Haslam . Bunker, Wamp, and Haslam are all Republicans.
In a letter to Haslam dated Thursday, June 10, Bunker refers to an “enjoyable” meeting between himself and Haslam the week before and expresses satisfaction at what he calls Haslam’s “candid support” of Bunker’s own positions in favor of the 2nd amendment and opposed to a state income tax. He also expresses solidarity with Haslam on the issue of “Limited Government.”
Stating his confidence that the next Tennessee governor will be a Republican, Bunker informs Haslam that “this written notice serves as my official endorsement of your candidacy in the Republican Primary for Governor of the great State of Tennessee.”
The campaign of Chattanooga congressman Wamp had put out an endorsement list two weeks ago that featured Wamp’s name, along with those of commission colleagues Mike Ritz and Joyce Avery and commissioners-elect Heidi Shafer, Chris Thomas, and Terry Roland. Bunker subsequently said he had not given permission for his name to be used. So did Shafer,but she consented to have her name used,
The third Republican candidate for governor is Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey of Blountville; Jackson businessman Mike McWherter, a Democrat, also seeks the office.
