primary on January 10. Haslam's father was the Tennessee state co-chairman for the Romney campaign. In a 2013 interview with Politico'', Haslam stated that many of the more controversial measures passed by the state legislature, such as the 2012 law protecting teachers who dispute evolution in class, were "frustrating and a distraction." He noted that in his travels across the state, "those aren't the issues I hear people bringing up." Personal life Haslam met his wife, Crissy Garrett, at Emory University and they have been married since 1981; with one son and two daughters and eight grandchildren. Haslam is a Presbyterian, and is a longtime member of Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church, an Evangelical Presbyterian Church congregation in Knoxville. He attends Christ Presbyterian Church when in Nashville. Haslam has been a member of the Young Life Board of Trustees since 2011. After US Senator Lamar Alexander announced that he would not seek re-election in 2020, speculation began to arise that Haslam would run for the seat. Haslam announced in July 2019 that he would not do so. Electoral history References External links Governor Bill Haslam official Tennessee government website Bill Haslam for Governor |- |- |- |- |- |- 1958 births 21st-century American politicians American billionaires American businesspeople American Presbyterians Emory University alumni Republican Party governors of Tennessee Living people Mayors of Knoxville, Tennessee People from Knoxville, Tennessee