Lamar Alexander facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lamar Alexander
Official portrait, 2017
United States Senator from Tennessee
In office January 3, 2003 – January 3, 2021
Preceded by	Fred Thompson
Succeeded by	Bill Hagerty
Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee
In office January 3, 2015 – January 3, 2021
Preceded by	Tom Harkin
Succeeded by	Patty Murray
Chair of the Senate Republican Conference
In office December 19, 2007 – January 26, 2012
Leader	Mitch McConnell
Preceded by	Jon Kyl
Succeeded by	John Thune
5th United States Secretary of Education
In office March 22, 1991 – January 20, 1993
President	George H. W. Bush
Deputy	David T. Kearns
Preceded by	Lauro Cavazos
Succeeded by	Richard Riley
Chair of the National Governors Association
In office August 6, 1985 – August 26, 1986
Preceded by	John W. Carlin
Succeeded by	Bill Clinton
45th Governor of Tennessee
In office January 20, 1979 – January 17, 1987
Lieutenant	John Wilder
Preceded by	Ray Blanton
Succeeded by	Ned McWherter
2nd President of the University of Tennessee system
In office 1988–1991
Preceded by	Edward J. Boling
Succeeded by	Joseph E. Johnson
Personal details
Born	Andrew Lamar Alexander Jr. (1940-07-03) July 3, 1940 (age 84) Maryville, Tennessee, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Leslee Buhler ​ ​ (m. 1969; died 2022)​
Children	4
Education	Vanderbilt University (BA) New York University (JD)

Andrew Lamar Alexander Jr. (born July 3, 1940) is an American politician and lawyer. He served as a U.S. Senator for Tennessee from 2003 to 2021. He is a member of the Republican Party. Before becoming a senator, he was the 45th Governor of Tennessee from 1979 to 1987. He also served as the 5th U.S. Secretary of Education from 1991 to 1993. In this role, he helped create the "Education 2000" plan.

Born in Maryville, Tennessee, Alexander studied at Vanderbilt University and the New York University School of Law. After working as a lawyer in Nashville, Tennessee, he ran for Governor of Tennessee in 1974 but lost. He ran again in 1978 and won. He was re-elected in 1982. He also led the National Governors Association from 1985 to 1986.

Alexander was president of the University of Tennessee from 1988 to 1991. Then, President George H. W. Bush chose him to be the Secretary of Education. Alexander tried to become president in 1996 and 2000, but he did not win his party's nomination.

In 2002, Alexander was elected to the U.S. Senate. He took over from Senator Fred Thompson. In the Senate, he led the Senate Republican Conference from 2007 to 2012. He also chaired the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee from 2015 to 2021. He helped create the Every Student Succeeds Act, which replaced the No Child Left Behind Act in 2015. Alexander decided not to run for re-election in 2020.

Early Life and Education

Alexander grew up in Maryville, Tennessee. His mother, Genevra, was a preschool teacher, and his father, Andrew, was a high school principal. His family has Scotch-Irish roots. He went to Maryville High School, where he was class president. He was also elected Governor of Tennessee Boys State, a program for young leaders.

In 1962, Alexander graduated with honors from Vanderbilt University. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Latin American studies. He was part of the track and field team. In 1965, he earned his law degree from the New York University School of Law.

Career Highlights

Early Political Steps

Alexander with President Richard Nixon in 1970

After law school, Alexander worked for Judge John Minor Wisdom in New Orleans, Louisiana, from 1965 to 1966.

In 1967, he became a helper for Senator Howard Baker. He met his future wife while working there. In 1969, he worked for President Richard Nixon's team. In 1970, he returned to Tennessee to manage the campaign for Winfield Dunn, who became the first Republican governor in 50 years. After this, Alexander started a law firm in Nashville.

In 1974, Alexander ran for governor but lost to Democrat Ray Blanton. After the election, TIME Magazine named Alexander one of the "200 Faces of the Future." In 1977, he worked again for Senator Baker in Washington.

Serving as Governor of Tennessee

Alexander as governor.

In 1978, Alexander ran for governor again. He became well-known by walking 1,022 miles across Tennessee, from Mountain City to Memphis. He wore a red and black flannel shirt, which became his symbol.

He won the Republican nomination and then defeated Knoxville banker Jake Butcher in the election.

In early 1979, there was a problem with pardons given by the previous governor, Ray Blanton. To stop more pardons, leaders arranged for Alexander to be sworn in as governor three days early, on January 17, 1979.

One of Alexander's big achievements as governor was bringing Japanese companies to Tennessee. This led to Nissan building a large car factory in Smyrna in 1980. He also helped bring General Motors' Saturn factory to Spring Hill.

Alexander with President Ronald Reagan in 1986

In 1982, Alexander was re-elected for a second term. During this time, he led the National Governors Association from 1985 to 1986. He also helped organize "Tennessee Homecoming" in 1986, a statewide event celebrating local history.

In 1983, Alexander started his "Better Schools" program. This program aimed to improve education by setting basic skill standards for students. It also increased teaching in math, science, and computers. A part of this plan, called "Master Teachers," offered extra pay for top teachers.

In 1986, he proposed the "Better Roads Program" to improve highways. This plan increased the state's gasoline tax to fund important road projects.

Alexander finished his second term as governor on January 17, 1987.

Leading the University of Tennessee

After his time as governor, Alexander and his family lived in Australia for a short period. He wrote a book about their trip called Six Months Off. When they returned, he became president of the University of Tennessee from 1988 to 1991.

Serving as U.S. Secretary of Education

Alexander with President George H. W. Bush in 1991

From 1991 to 1993, Alexander served as the United States Secretary of Education. In this role, he was in charge of the country's education policies.

Presidential Campaigns

Alexander ran for President of the United States two times, in 1996 and 2000. Both times, he tried to win the Republican Party's nomination. In 1996, he finished third in early state contests and then stopped his campaign. In 2000, he traveled around the country in a Ford Explorer. However, he ended his campaign after not doing well in an early poll.

U.S. Senate Service

Alexander with President George W. Bush in 2004

Senator and Mrs. Alexander with the Presbyterian Chaplain of the 844th from Rhea County in 2005

Senate Elections

2002 Election

In 2002, Alexander decided to run for the U.S. Senate seat that was opening up. He won the Republican primary election. Then, he defeated Democratic Congressman Bob Clement in the general election. With this win, he became the first person from Tennessee to be elected both governor and senator by popular vote.

2008 Election

Alexander ran for re-election in 2008. He was very popular in Tennessee politics. He won easily against his opponents, taking 65 percent of the votes. He won almost all of Tennessee's counties.

2014 Election

In 2012, Alexander announced he would seek a third term in the Senate. Some conservative groups wanted him to retire. However, he worked hard to get support from other Republican leaders in Tennessee.

He won the Republican primary election, though it was a close race. He then won the general election with 62% of the vote.

Key Senate Roles

In 2006, a new type of tiny insect called a springtail was found in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It was named Cosberella lamaralexanderi in Alexander's honor. This was because he supported funding for scientific research in the park. The springtail's pattern also reminded people of the plaid shirts Alexander often wore during campaigns.

In 2007, Alexander became the Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference. This is a leadership role within the Republican Party in the Senate. He stepped down from this role in 2012, saying he wanted to help the Senate work better on important issues.

On December 17, 2018, Alexander announced he would not run for another term in 2020. He retired from the Senate in January 2021.

Committee Work

Senators work in committees to study bills and issues. Alexander served on several important committees:

• Committee on Appropriations: This committee decides how the government spends money.
• Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: This committee deals with energy, public lands, and natural resources.
• Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (Chairman): This committee focuses on health, education, and workplace issues.
• Committee on Rules and Administration: This committee oversees the rules and daily operations of the Senate.

Legislation and Initiatives

Alexander sponsored several bills. For example, he supported the PREEMIE Reauthorization Act (S. 252; 113th Congress). This bill aimed to reauthorize research programs on preterm births. He also supported the Exchange Information Disclosure Act, which would require the government to share more information about healthcare exchanges.

Political Views

Health Care

Alexander voted against President Obama's health care reform bills. He believed they would lead to higher taxes and more government involvement in health care. He supported different ways to improve health care.

Working Together (Bipartisanship)

Lamar Alexander with U.S. Senators Bob Corker & Richard Burr, Congressmen John Duncan, Phil Roe, & Heath Shuler, Governor Phil Bredesen, and Dolly Parton at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 2009

Alexander was known for being willing to work with members of both political parties. This is called bipartisanship. He was considered one of the most bipartisan Republican senators.

Gun Laws

In 2013, Alexander voted against a bill that would have made background checks for gun buyers more widespread.

Energy and Environment

Alexander supports nuclear power as a clean energy source. He has criticized wind power because he thinks wind turbines can be unsightly and harmful to birds. He proposed a "New Manhattan Project for Clean Energy." This plan aims to develop advanced clean energy technologies, like better nuclear power and more efficient batteries. It is named after the original Manhattan Project, which was a big scientific effort during World War II.

Judiciary

Alexander's views on Supreme Court nominations changed depending on which party held the presidency. In 2016, he opposed the Senate considering President Obama's nominee. He said the next president should choose. In 2020, he supported an immediate vote on President Trump's nominee, saying the Senate should vote on a Republican president's choice.

Personal Life

In 1969, Alexander married Leslee "Honey" Buhler. They met during a softball game for Senate staff members. They have four children: Drew, Leslee, Kathryn, and Will. Sadly, Drew passed away in 2021. After their family trip to Australia, Alexander wrote a book about it called Six Months Off.

Alexander is a talented pianist. He plays both classical and country music. He started piano lessons at age three. In 2007, he played piano on singer Patti Page's re-recording of her famous song "Tennessee Waltz". He also played trombone, tuba, and washboard in a nightclub when he was younger.

Alexander is an Eagle Scout, which is the highest rank in Scouting. He used his Scouting experience in the Senate, supporting a resolution to recognize "Boy Scouts of America Day." He is also a member and elder at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Nashville.

Electoral history

1996 United States presidential election (Republican primaries):

• Bob Dole – 9,024,742 (58.82%)
• Pat Buchanan – 3,184,943 (20.76%)
• Steve Forbes – 1,751,187 (11.41%)
• Lamar Alexander – 495,590 (3.23%)
• Alan Keyes – 471,716 (3.08%)
• Richard Lugar – 127,111 (0.83%)
• Unpledged delegates – 123,278 (0.80%)
• Phil Gramm – 71,456 (0.47%)
• Bob Dornan – 42,140 (0.28%)
• Morry Taylor – 21,180 (0.14%)

Republican Senate Minority Whip

• Trent Lott (MS) – 25 (51.02%)
• Lamar Alexander (TN) – 24 (48.98%)

Senate Republican Conference Chairman

• Lamar Alexander (TN) – 31 (65.96%)
• Richard Burr (NC) – 16 (34.04%)

Images for kids

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  Alexander with President Richard Nixon in 1970

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  Alexander as governor.

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  Alexander with President Ronald Reagan in 1986

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  Alexander with President George H. W. Bush in 1991

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  Alexander with President George W. Bush in 2004

• 

  Senator and Mrs. Alexander with the Presbyterian Chaplain of the 844th from Rhea County in 2005

• 

  Lamar Alexander with U.S. Senators Bob Corker & Richard Burr, Congressmen John Duncan, Phil Roe, & Heath Shuler, Governor Phil Bredesen, and Dolly Parton at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 2009

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  Alexander with President Donald Trump in 2019

See also

• Lobbying in the United States