Sen. Lamar Alexander Wins Easy Re-election

Sen. Lamar Alexander, 68, got a huge endorsement from Tennesseans on Election Day, easily defeating Democratic challenger Robert Tuke for a second term.

"I thank the people of Tennessee for giving me the opportunity to serve them in the United States Senate for another six years," Alexander said Tuesday evening after his victory. 

"I will do exactly what I pledged to do during the campaign: I will work across party lines to get results on the big issues facing our country -- and there certainly are plenty of those -- starting with the economy, energy independence, and health insurance," he said.

Alexander's re-election stirred up the memory of the time he visited my twin hometowns of Hollow Rock and Bruceton, Tenn., when I was a boy.

It was during his first campaign for Tennessee governor, the time he first walked across the state in a red-and-black plaid shirt and khaki pants. The outfit became a trademark look in subsequent political campaigns. (It even showed up this year in his campaign materials.)

His visit made quite an impression on me because I watched him help erect a few new pieces of playground equipment in Bruceton's Templeton Park before hopping onto a flat-bed trailer to deliver a short stump speech.

During Alexander's remarks, he thanked several community supporters by name, including my late grandfather Maurice Devault of Hollow Rock. I remember the pride I felt for my grandfather when his name was mentioned by this popular politician.

Alexander has served the Volunteer State and our country in several capacities through the years ... as governor, University of Tennessee president, U.S. Secretary of Education and now U.S. senator.

Congratulations, Senator, on your continuing long tenure in public service.