Phil Bredesen, the former Governor of Tennessee and the former Mayor of Nashville, is described as “one of the most popular public officials in state history.” In addition to his political acumen and success, he is a very successful businessman, and is contributing some of his personal funds to his campaign.  Bredesen has been polling ahead of his opponent for much of the year.

Bredesen is in complete alignment with BEA’s policy vision, and, in previous political posts, has worked to advance many of the issues and policy areas in which the BEA is interested. This race is an opportunity to support a candidate who has advanced BEA’s issues in previous roles, and more importantly represents an opportunity for BEA to help “flip” a seat.