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, he was the 67th mayor of Knoxville, Tennessee. He is a member of the Republican Party.
Bill Haslam was born in Knoxville, Tennessee. He 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 a division of Saks Fifth Avenue. He also owns part of the Tennessee Smokies, a minor league baseball team. 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 served until 2011. After the governor at the time, Phil Bredesen, could not run again, Haslam decided to run for governor in 2009. He won the election in 2010 and became governor. In 2015, he was considered one of the wealthiest elected officials in the U.S. After his time as governor, he became a visiting professor at Vanderbilt University.
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Early Life and Business Career
Bill Haslam was born in 1958 in Knoxville, Tennessee. He was the third child of Jim Haslam, who started Pilot Corporation. This company owns the convenience store chain Pilot Flying J. His father was also a big supporter of the Republican Party.
Haslam went to the Webb School of Knoxville. He later studied history at Emory University, graduating in 1980. He was part of the Sigma Chi fraternity.
As a teenager, Haslam worked part-time at his father's company. He had thought about becoming a history teacher or a minister. But after college, he decided to stay with Pilot and learn more about business. He became the company's president in 1995.
In 1999, Haslam worked for Saks Fifth Avenue as a CEO. He left Saks in 2001. He also joined the board of a clothing store chain called Harold's Stores Inc.. He is one of the owners of the Tennessee Smokies baseball team.
Mayor of Knoxville
In 2002, Haslam decided to run for Mayor of Knoxville. Even though mayoral elections in Knoxville are not officially tied to a party, people knew he was a Republican. He won the election on September 30, 2003, with 52% of the votes. He became mayor in December 2003.
In 2006, he hired his former opponent, Madeline Rogero, to work for the city. He said he was inspired by President Abraham Lincoln, who also appointed former rivals to his team. Haslam was reelected in 2007, winning 87% 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, President George W. Bush appointed him to a group that advises on historic preservation.
Haslam also helped bring more homes and shops to downtown Knoxville. He worked on a plan to develop the South Knoxville riverfront. His administration kept a balanced budget, which helped the city save more money.
Gubernatorial Elections
Running for Governor in 2010
On January 6, 2009, Bill Haslam announced he would run for governor of Tennessee. He raised a lot of money for his campaign. He received support from important politicians like former U.S. Senator Howard Baker.
Haslam focused his campaign on his experience as Knoxville's mayor and as a business leader. On August 5, 2010, he won the Republican primary election. He then faced Mike McWherter, the Democratic candidate.
On November 2, 2010, Haslam won the election for governor. He received 65% of the votes. This win also gave Republicans control of the state government for the first time since 1869.
Running for Governor in 2014
Haslam decided to run for re-election in 2014. He easily won the Republican primary with 88% of the votes.
In the general election on November 4, 2014, Haslam defeated his Democratic opponent, Charles Brown. He won with over 70% of the votes and won in every county in Tennessee.
Time as Governor
When Bill Haslam became governor, his main goals were to create jobs and help the economy grow. He also wanted to improve education and workforce development.
Key Actions and Policies
- Budget and Taxes: In 2011, Haslam signed a state budget that focused on economic growth. He also signed bills to cut some taxes, like the state's gift tax and parts of the inheritance tax. He also reduced the sales tax on groceries.
- Education Reform: Haslam worked to improve schools and colleges. He signed bills that allowed more charter schools. He also pushed for changes in higher education to help more students graduate with skills for good jobs.
- Teacher Policies: He signed a bill that changed how public school teachers' unions worked. It moved from collective bargaining to "collaborative conferencing."
- Voter ID: In 2011, he signed a bill requiring voters to show photo identification at polling places.
- Workforce Development: He signed the "Fast Track" bill, which offered money to companies that wanted to expand or move to Tennessee. This was to help create more jobs.
- State Employee Reforms: In 2012, Haslam signed the "TEAM" Act. This law changed how state employees were hired and evaluated. It focused more on job performance.
- Public Health: Haslam started campaigns to address public health issues.
- Bible Bill Veto: In 2016, Haslam vetoed a bill that would have made the Bible the official state book of Tennessee. He believed it would cause confusion and not be good for the state.
- IMPROVE Act: In 2017, he signed the IMPROVE Act. This law changed taxes on things like food, gasoline, and vehicle registration fees. The money raised was meant to fund many needed highway projects across the state.
Political Views
Taxes and Budget
Haslam believes in keeping taxes low to help businesses grow. He thinks the government should focus on giving people good value for their tax money.
Gun Laws
Haslam used to be part of a group called Mayors Against Illegal Guns. However, he later joined the National Rifle Association of America. As governor, he did not support a "constitutional carry" bill, which would allow people to carry guns without a permit.
Education
As governor, Haslam started programs to make higher education more affordable. The Tennessee Promise program, started in 2014, helps high school graduates attend community or technical college for free for two years. The Tennessee Reconnect program helps adults get a college degree or technical certificate for free. These programs aim to give people more skills and attract businesses to Tennessee.
LGBT Issues
Haslam does not support same-sex marriage. He signed a bill in 2017 that aimed to define words in state law in a specific way.
Other Views
In 2012, Bill Haslam supported Mitt Romney for president. He has also said that some controversial laws passed by the state legislature were "frustrating" and a "distraction" from more important issues.
After Being Governor
After U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander announced he would not run for re-election in 2020, some people thought Haslam might run for the Senate seat. However, Haslam announced in July 2019 that he would not run.
In June 2022, Bill Haslam agreed to become the new owner of the NHL's Nashville Predators hockey team. He is set to become the main owner by July 1, 2025. His brother, Jimmy Haslam, also owns the Cleveland Browns NFL team.
In May 2023, U.S. Senator Tim Scott asked Haslam to be a national co-chair for his 2024 presidential campaign.
Personal Life
Bill Haslam met his wife, Crissy Garrett, at Emory University. They have been married since 1981 and have three children and eight grandchildren. Haslam is a Presbyterian and attends church regularly.
Images for kids
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Haslam speaking during his 2010 campaign.
See also
In Spanish: Bill Haslam para niños
