Who Is Lemar Alexander?

Lemar Alexander was born on July 3, 1940. He is the senior senator from the state of Tennessee. In addition to his career as senator, Lemar Alexander was also Governor of Tennessee from 1979 until 1987 and was also Secretary of Education from 1991 until 1993 under President George Bush.

Lemar Alexander also tried his hand at the presidency. In 1996 he ran unsuccessfully for the Republican presidential nomination. He lost to GOP candidate Bob Dole. In 1999 Alexander announced his candidacy for the presidency in the 2000 election, but dropped out of the race in August of 1999.

For many years Lemar Alexander's campaign signature piece has been a red and black plaid lumberjack-style shirt. During his 1978 campaign for governor he walked across the entire state of Tennessee while wearing such a shirt, establishing himself as a populist politician.

In addition to politics, Lemar Alexander also enjoys playing the piano.