Today, following a visit to Decatur, Tennessee in Meigs County, Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam announced that he had campaigned in all 95 counties this year. He is the first candidate for governor to visit every county in 2009.
“This has been a great year on the campaign trail for Crissy and me,” said Haslam. “I’ve now campaigned in every county, talking to Tennesseans on their front porches, in their offices, in restaurants and town squares, and what we hear everywhere we go – in every area of the state – is the need to help grow and retain good jobs in Tennessee.”
“There are so many things that unite us as a people, as Tennesseans – a great geographic location, a strong work ethic, a set of common values we hold dear – and I see these at work everywhere I go,” Haslam continued. “Together, we’re going to take these uniting qualities and make our great state even better.”
“Bill and Crissy are working hard, meeting people face to face, earning every vote,” said Mark Cate, Campaign Manager. “No one in this race will out work Bill Haslam, and the fact that he’s the only candidate to visit every county reinforces that.”
Last month, the campaign announced the first phase of its statewide leadership headed by former Senator Howard Baker, Jr. The group consists of more than 1,000 community and grassroots leaders and represented every county. The campaign also announced last month that it had received more than 6,000 contributions and had raised another $1 million since June.
Today’s announcement means that Mayor Haslam leads in counties visited, political organization, funds raised, and total contributors, and shows that Tennesseans are investing their time, energy, and money in his campaign.
“Bill has worked diligently traveling the state this year, visiting every county, talking to people where they work and live, listening to their concerns and sharing his plan for Tennessee’s future,” continued Cate. “And he’s doing it for the right reasons – because he loves Tennessee and wants to help our state be the best it can be. Tennesseans know this election is about our future, and Bill Haslam is the right person with the best ideas, the right temperament, and the proven executive experience needed to lead our state through the difficult times ahead.”
