Devaney Says He’s Got The Votes For TNGOP Chair
Posted on May 18, 2009 at 12:22 pmChris Devaney follows up his letter announcing his intention to seek the office of TNGOP party chair with a press release claiming that he has the votes to win a vote of the 66 member state executive committee. Oscar Brock has claimed he nearly has a majority in his own right.
United States Senator Bob Corker’s State Director, and former Executive Director of the Tennessee Republican Party, Chris Devaney, announced to the Republican State Executive Committee over the weekend he will seek the chairmanship of the Tennessee Republican Party. Devaney, a former top aide to Senator Fred Thompson, has extensive political, media, and fundraising experience during his 20 year career.
“I’ve worked in the trenches my whole career to prepare me for this moment. This next election is about the future of our state and our party. It is crucial we have someone with the necessary political and fundraising skills. Now is not the time for on the job training,” Devaney said.
In the 2006 election cycle, Devaney assisted in bringing in more than $4.5M dollars into the Tennessee Republican Party and its Victory ‘06 program, which provided financial and political support to state legislative candidates, as well as helping to secure Bob Corker’s winning campaign for U.S. Senate, who was the only Republican to win an open seat election in the nation.
“Our mission is clear: recruit, train and fund candidates to increase our majorities in both Houses of the General Assembly, and to make sure Republicans have the pen in hand when it comes time for redistricting. Make no mistake about it, we plan on taking back the governor’s mansion and increasing our Legislative majorities,” said Devaney.
In anticipation that current Chairman Robin Smith would vacate her position, Devaney has been traveling the state for the last few months meeting with State Executive Committee members and hearing their concerns.
“I have many long standing relationships with members across this state and am humbled to have the votes necessary from the SEC to win. Over the next two weeks, I will work hard to gain even more support. No person’s vote will be taken for granted,” said Devaney.
Devaney was a First Day Founder for Fred Thompson’s presidential campaign, a high level fundraising committee tasked with raising Thompson’s early campaign funds. He has also been a donor for Republican candidates and causes in Tennessee and other states.
A strong conservative and Lifetime Member of the National Rifle Association, Chris and his wife Heather are parents of four children and live in Chattanooga. He is a 1989 graduate of the University of Oklahoma. The Devaney family are members of Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church.
SEE ALSO: Michael Silence
