Randy Boyd gets endorsement for governor from 22 East TN county mayors

News release from Randy Boyd campaign

Nashville, TN —  Randy Boyd announced today that nearly two dozen County Mayors from across East Tennessee have endorsed and are already working in support of his Republican campaign for Governor.  Boyd is the only gubernatorial candidate from East Tennessee. More than 40 percent of the projected 2018 Republican gubernatorial primary vote is expected to come from East Tennessee.

The East Tennessee Mayors publicly endorsing Boyd today include:

• Mayor Terry Frank – Anderson County
• Mayor Gregg Ridley – Bledsoe County
• Mayor Ed Mitchell – Blount County
• Mayor Gary Davis – Bradley County
• Mayor Jack Daniels – Claiborne County
• Mayor Crystal Ottinger – Cocke County
• Mayor David Crum – Greene County
• Mayor Bill Brittain – Hamblen County
• Mayor Tom Harrison – Hancock County
• Mayor Alan Palmieri – Jefferson County
• Mayor Larry Potter – Johnson County
• Mayor Buddy Bradshaw – Loudon County
• Mayor Tim Yates – Monroe County
• Mayor Don Edwards – Morgan County
• Mayor George Thacker – Rhea County
• Mayor Ron Woody – Roane County
• Mayor Dale Perdue – Scott County
• Mayor Keith Cartwright – Sequatchie County
• Mayor Larry Waters – Sevier County
• Mayor Greg Lynch – Unicoi County
• Mayor Mike Williams – Union County
• Mayor Dan Eldridge – Washington County

“I am deeply honored by and grateful for this early vote of confidence and support from so many outstanding leaders from all across East Tennessee,” Boyd said.

“County Mayors go to work every day to help make Tennessee a great place to live, work and do business. But they cannot do it alone. They need the help and support of a Governor that personally understands their needs and concerns,“ Boyd said.

“I’ve worked with these Mayors on economic development, education, workforce, transportation, broadband, and dozens of other issues, and I am confident that by working together, we truly will make Tennessee THE State of Opportunity – for better education, for better jobs, for everyone.”

Although the Republican primary election for Governor is more than a year away, Boyd has already actively campaigned in more than 50 Tennessee counties, with multiple visits to most, as he fulfills his pledge to listen and learn in all 95 of the state’s counties during 2017.

Earlier this month, Boyd also set an all-time fundraising record for a first-time candidate in Tennessee by raising more than $1.25 million at a single event during his first fundraiser in his hometown of Knoxville.

A successful entrepreneur, business and philanthropic leader, Boyd is the founder and chairman of Radio Systems Corporation, which is headquartered in Knoxville. First started out of the back of Boyd’s van, the company today produces over 4,600 pet products under brand names such as Invisible Fence, PetSafe, and SportDOG, with more than 700 employees in 7 countries and annual revenues of $400 million.

Boyd previously served in Governor Bill Haslam’s cabinet as the state Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, and earlier while serving as the Governor’s Special Advisor on Higher Education was the architect of the state’s Drive to 55 workforce development initiative, and the tnAchieves and Tennessee Promise scholarship programs to help more young people go to technical or community college tuition-free.

Boyd is also owner of Boyd Sports LLC, owner of the Tennessee Smokies Baseball team, the AA affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, and the Johnson City Cardinals, a rookie league affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals.

Boyd and his wife Jenny have been married for 32 years and have two children, Harrison and Thomas, a daughter-in-law Lindsey, and a beloved dog, Oskar.  They reside in Knoxville and are members of Erin Presbyterian Church.

Note: East Tennessee counties not appearing on the list are Campbell, Carter, Cumberland, Grainger, Hamilton, Hawkins, Knox, McMinn, Marion, Meigs, Polk, Sullivan.