University of Tennessee Knoxville - Volunteer Yearbook (Knoxville, TN)

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24 - Issues and Events Tennessee goes Democratic Ray Blanton e Lamar Alexander Democrat e Republican Did the party make the difference? This was a question that Lamar Alexander could not answer. Four years ago, Winfield Dunn was the first Republican eIected governor of Ten- nessee in over fifty years. The Republicans felt they had captured Tennessee for their party. Or at least they did until Watergate. The fear of Watergate and the resignation of Nixon: were these the causes of the Republicans Iosing Tennessee? Ray Blanton, a Democrat from Adams- ville, swept through Tennessee with 56Wo of the vote to become the new governor. BIanton reached out to the blacks and to Iabor for votes. Visiting plants across the state with the promise of better work- ing conditions, Blanton managed to cap- ture the majority of the labor votes. To the blacks as we as to the women, he stressed the need for equality in all job opportunities. The heavy turnout of these voters helped to bring about his victory. Lamar Alexander, the Republican can- didate from Nashville, ran a hard cam- paign. Being classified as representing the white collar and silk stocking voters. Alexander tried to appeal to the middle class voter but was unsuccessfult Even with his commercials of rolled up shirt sleeves and sleeping in open fields, Alex- ander did not manage to convince the working class to vote for him. The major counties went to Blanton. In the last election they went Republican. In Shelby Counth, the Iargest county in the state. Blanton was triumphant by 17,000 votes. In middle Tennessee, which is traditionally Democratic, Blanton enjoyed a two to one margin over Alex- ander. However, here on the University of Tennessee campus and the Fort Sand- ers area, Alexander received 1172 votes to Blanton's 606 votes.

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In Ray Blanton's acceptance speech, he stated, We don't count this as a per- sonal victory. As far as I'm concerned it is a victory for the people. In his conces- sion speech, Alexander stated, I know there was a trend against the Republicans across the country. but I had hoped that they would not take it out on me. Did Watergate and the resignation of the President effect the Republican party? The result of the elections brought about a control of the House by the Democrats under a Republican president. The trend of the country went to the Democrats in 1974 and Tennessee followed suit. FAR LEFT: Senator Bill Brock accompanies Lamar Alexander during his campaign. LEFT AND ABOVE: The winner of Tennesseeis gubernational race, Ray Blanton, visits the campus. Issues and Events - 25