Bill Haslam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bill Haslam
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Haslam in 2014
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| 49th Governor of Tennessee | |
| In office January 15, 2011 – January 19, 2019 |
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| Lieutenant | Ron Ramsey Randy McNally |
| Preceded by | Phil Bredesen |
| Succeeded by | Bill Lee |
| Chair of the Republican Governors Association | |
| In office November 16, 2017 – November 29, 2018 |
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| Preceded by | Scott Walker |
| Succeeded by | Pete Ricketts |
| 67th Mayor of Knoxville | |
| In office December 20, 2003 – January 10, 2011 |
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| Preceded by | Victor Ashe |
| Succeeded by | Madeline Rogero |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
William Edward Haslam
August 23, 1958 Knoxville, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Crissy Garrett
(m. 1981) |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Emory University (BA) |
| Signature |  |
William Edward Haslam (born August 23, 1958) is an American businessman and politician. He served as the 49th governor of Tennessee from 2011 to 2019. Before that, Haslam was the 67th mayor of Knoxville, Tennessee. He is a member of the Republican Party.
Haslam was born in Knoxville and went to Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. He started his career in business, working for his father's company, Pilot Corporation. He became president of Pilot Corp in the 1990s. Later, he worked as a CEO for Saks Fifth Avenue's online and catalog sales. He also served on the board of directors for other companies. Haslam is a co-owner of a minor league baseball team, the Tennessee Smokies. He is also set to become the main owner of the National Hockey League's Nashville Predators by 2025.
He was elected Mayor of Knoxville in 2003 and was reelected in 2007. He served as mayor until 2011. When the current Governor, Phil Bredesen, could not run again, Haslam decided to run for governor in 2009. He won the Republican primary election and then defeated the Democratic candidate, Mike McWherter, in the 2010 general election.
In 2015, a Forbes magazine article said that Haslam was one of the wealthiest elected officials in the country. After leaving office, Haslam became a visiting professor at Vanderbilt University.
Contents
Early Life and Business Career
Bill Haslam was born in 1958 in Knoxville, Tennessee. He was the third child of Jim Haslam, who founded Pilot Corporation. This company owns the convenience store and travel center chain, Pilot Flying J. His mother was Cynthia Allen. His father, Jim Haslam, has helped raise money for the Republican Party and supported the University of Tennessee for many years.
Haslam went to the Webb School of Knoxville. He was active in a Christian group called Young Life. He later went to Emory University and earned a degree in history in 1980.
As a teenager, Haslam worked part-time at his father's company. He had planned to teach history and become a minister. After college, he returned to Knoxville to work for Pilot to learn about business. He decided to stay with the company. In 1995, he became the company's president. His brother, Jimmy Haslam, was the CEO, and his father was the chairman.
In 1999, Haslam joined Saks Fifth Avenue as the chief executive of their online and catalog sales. He left Saks in 2001 and later joined the board of directors for Harold's Stores Inc..
Haslam is one of the owners of the Tennessee Smokies, a minor league baseball team. His brother, Jimmy Haslam, became the main owner of the Cleveland Browns football team in 2012.
Mayor of Knoxville
In 2002, Haslam announced he would run for Mayor of Knoxville. He was inspired by a talk with Bob Corker, who was then the mayor of Chattanooga. Knoxville's mayoral elections are officially not tied to a political party, but Haslam was known to be a Republican. He won the election on September 30, 2003, defeating Madeline Rogero. He was sworn into office in December 2003.
In 2006, Haslam appointed Rogero to a city leadership role. He said he was inspired by President Abraham Lincoln's idea of appointing former rivals to his team. Haslam was reelected in 2007, winning a large majority of the votes.
As mayor, Haslam helped save historic buildings like the S&W Cafeteria in downtown Knoxville. He also helped build a new movie theater and improve the historic Bijou Theatre. In 2008, U.S. President George W. Bush appointed him to a group that advises on historic preservation.
Haslam also helped bring more homes and shops to the downtown area. He did this by offering financial help from the city to developers. He also helped create a plan for developing the South Knoxville riverfront. This plan won an award from the American Planning Association. Haslam's administration managed the city's money carefully, which helped double the city's savings during his first term.
Running for Governor
2010 Election
On January 6, 2009, Haslam announced he would run for Tennessee governor in 2010. His campaign received a lot of financial support, more than his Republican rivals.
Haslam received support from former U.S. Senator Howard Baker and Congressman Jimmy Duncan. He campaigned by highlighting his experience as Knoxville's mayor and as a company president.
On August 5, 2010, Haslam won the Republican primary election for governor. He received almost 48% of the votes. Mike McWherter, the son of former Governor Ned McWherter, was chosen by the Democrats.
On November 2, 2010, Haslam won the general election for governor. He defeated Mike McWherter, taking 65% of the votes. Republicans also gained more seats in the state legislature. This gave the Republican Party full control of the state government for the first time since 1869.
2014 Election
Haslam announced he would run for re-election in 2014. He easily won the Republican primary election with 88% of the votes.
In the general election on November 4, 2014, Haslam defeated Democratic candidate Charles Brown. He won with over 70% of the votes and won in every county in the state.
Time as Governor
2011: First Year in Office
Haslam said his main goals as governor were creating jobs and helping the economy grow. He also wanted to improve education and help people get skills for jobs. On June 16, 2011, Haslam signed a state budget of $30.8 billion.
This budget included a small pay raise for state employees. It also provided money to help build new factories, like an Electrolux plant near Memphis.
Haslam signed a bill that changed how public school teachers could work together. He also signed a bill that limits how much money can be awarded in certain lawsuits. Another bill he signed allowed more charter schools in the state.
In October 2011, Haslam approved a rule for a curfew at Legislative Plaza in Nashville. This was where the Occupy Nashville movement protesters were staying. Some protesters were arrested for not following the curfew. Haslam said the curfew was needed for safety and cleanliness.
2012: Key Laws and Policies
The state budget bill Haslam signed for 2012 included $50 million in tax cuts. It also had money for construction projects and a pay raise for state employees. In June, Haslam signed bills that removed the state's gift tax and reduced other taxes. He also signed the "Fast Track" bill, which gave money to companies that wanted to expand or move to Tennessee.
Tennessee received a special permission from the federal government for its schools. Haslam had asked for this to change parts of the No Child Left Behind law. He argued that the law unfairly labeled some schools as failures. In May, he signed a bill that gave $37 million in grants for state schools. In July, Haslam called for big changes to the state's higher education system. He wanted more college graduates in high-paying jobs.
In March 2012, the legislature passed a bill that protected teachers who discussed different ideas about scientific theories, like the theory of evolution and global warming. Haslam did not sign the bill, but he also did not veto it, so it became law. He said the bill caused confusion but would not change the state's science lessons.
On April 24, 2012, Haslam signed the "TEAM" Act. This law changed how state agencies hire people and how state employees are evaluated. It focused more on job performance. The bill also made it easier to hire and fire some state employees.
Other bills Haslam signed in May included one that required drug testing for people receiving welfare. Another bill gave money to companies to help train recently laid-off workers.
In December 2012, Haslam announced that Tennessee would not set up its own health care exchange under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare"). He said the federal government had not given enough clear information about the costs.
2016: The Bible Bill
In April 2016, Haslam vetoed a bill that would have made the Bible the official state book of Tennessee. The bill had passed in both the State House and the Senate. If Haslam had signed it, Tennessee would have been the first state to make the Bible its state book. Haslam vetoed the bill on April 14, 2016. An attempt to overturn his veto in the State House failed.
2017: IMPROVE Act
In April 2017, Haslam signed the IMPROVE Act into law. This bill aimed to "Improve Manufacturing, Public Roads, and Opportunities for a Vibrant Economy." It lowered the state sales tax on food. However, it increased taxes on gasoline, diesel, and natural gas. It also raised vehicle registration fees and added a new annual fee for electric vehicles. The main goal was to fund many needed highway projects.
Political Ideas
Taxes and Budget
Haslam believes in a careful state budget that keeps taxes low. This helps create a good environment for businesses. He supports cutting government spending but also thinks the Republican Party should focus on making government work better. He believes in giving people good value for their tax money.
Gun Laws
Haslam used to be part of a group called Mayors Against Illegal Guns. But he left that group in 2009 and joined the National Rifle Association. While running for governor, Haslam said he would sign a bill allowing people to carry guns without a permit. However, as governor, he did not support this idea.
Education
As Governor, Haslam started education programs that offered free college tuition. The Tennessee Promise program, started in 2014, gives high school graduates two years of free tuition for community or technical college. The Tennessee Reconnect program offers free tuition for many adults to earn a degree or certificate. Haslam saw these education changes as a way to help the economy. By giving people more skills, the state could attract more businesses.
Immigration Laws
Haslam has said he supports taking action against businesses that hire illegal immigrants. He also suggested he would sign a law requiring police officers to check the citizenship status of arrested people they suspect might be in the country illegally.
Other Political Views
On January 11, 2012, Bill Haslam supported Mitt Romney for the Republican presidential nomination.
In a 2013 interview, Haslam said that some of the more debated laws passed by the state legislature were "frustrating and a distraction." He noted that when he traveled around the state, these were not the issues people were talking about.
After Being Governor
After U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander announced he would not run for re-election in 2020, people wondered if Haslam would run for the Senate seat. Haslam announced in July 2019 that he would not.
In June 2022, Bill Haslam agreed to become the new owner of the NHL's Nashville Predators. He will become the main owner by July 1, 2025. His brother, Jimmy Haslam, co-owns the NFL's Cleveland Browns.
In May 2023, U.S. Senator and presidential candidate Tim Scott named Haslam as a national co-chair for his 2024 presidential campaign.
Personal Life
Haslam met his wife, Crissy Garrett, at Emory University. They have been married since 1981 and have one son and two daughters, plus eight grandchildren. Haslam is a Presbyterian and has been a member of Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church in Knoxville for a long time. He also attends Christ Presbyterian Church when he is in Nashville. Haslam has been a member of the Young Life Board of Trustees since 2011.
Images for kids
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2003 Knoxville mayoral election results map.svg
Knoxville mayoral election, 2003
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2007 Knoxville mayoral election results map.svg
Knoxville mayoral election, 2007
See also
In Spanish: Bill Haslam para niños
