Lamar Alexander

Republican senior Senator of Tennessee

202-224-4944

alexander.senate.gov/public

Congresses Served

Senate Terms

January 1, 1940 (85 years old)

Birthday

Served as a United States Senator from Tennessee from 2003 to 2021
Was the 45th governor of Tennessee from 1979 to 1987
Served as the 5th United States Secretary of Education from 1991 to 1993
Graduated from Vanderbilt University and the New York University School of Law
Ran for Governor of Tennessee in 1974 but was defeated, then won in 1978 and was re-elected in 1982
Served as chairman of the National Governors Association from 1985 to 1986
Was the president of the University of Tennessee from 1988 until 1991
Ran for the presidential nomination in the 1996 and 2000 Republican primaries
Served as Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference from 2007 to 2012
Chaired the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee from 2015 to 2021
Introduced the Every Student Succeeds Act in 2015
Announced he would not run for a fourth term in the Senate in 2020
Worked as a Legislative Assistant for Senator Howard Baker and was involved in various legal and political roles in Tennessee
Played a key role in education reform and policy during his tenure as Secretary of Education
Was involved in significant legislation and initiatives related to health, education, and labor as a Senator
Advocated for bipartisan cooperation and was known for his efforts to work across party lines