24 Facts About Don Sundquist

Donald Kenneth Sundquist was an American businessman and politician who served as the 47th governor of Tennessee from 1995 to 2003.

Don Sundquist's father was of Swedish descent, while his mother was of German descent.

Don Sundquist served in the United States Navy from 1957 to 1963, including two years on active duty.

Don Sundquist joined Jostens in 1961, and initially worked at the company's plants in Princeton, Illinois, and Owatonna, Minnesota.

Don Sundquist left Jostens in 1972 and moved to Memphis, where he established an advertising and printing firm, Graphic Sales of America.

Don Sundquist served as an organizer of the Barry Goldwater 1964 presidential campaign.

Don Sundquist served as Chair of the national Young Republicans from 1971 to 1973, and chair of the Shelby County Republican Party from 1975 to 1977.

Don Sundquist was a delegate to the 1976 Republican National Convention and the 1980 Republican National Convention, and managed the presidential campaign of Howard Baker during the 1980 election cycle.

In 1982, Don Sundquist sought the seat of Congressman Robin Beard, who was retiring to run against Jim Sasser for the US Senate.

Don Sundquist was a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, serving on the Subcommittee on Trade and the Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures.

Don Sundquist was a member of the Republican Task Force on Trade, and the Republican Task Force on Ethics Reform.

In 1994, Don Sundquist ran for governor of Tennessee in the race to replace the Democratic incumbent, Ned McWherter, who was term-limited.

Don Sundquist accused Bredesen of flip-flopping on issues such as public funding for abortion and school privatization.

Don Sundquist signed the "Families First" bill in 1996, which reduced the number of families on welfare from 70,000 to 30,000.

Don Sundquist signed a series of crime-related measures which called for tougher sentences and more focus on victims' rights.

In 1996, Don Sundquist eliminated the state's scandal-ridden Public Service Commission, replacing it with the Tennessee Regulatory Authority.

In 1998, Don Sundquist easily won renomination, defeating Memphis realtor Shirley Beck-Vosse, 258,786 votes to 28,951.

Shortly after winning reelection in November 1998, Don Sundquist implemented the ConnectTen program, which made Tennessee the first state in the nation to connect its schools and libraries to the Internet.

Don Sundquist was concerned that the sales tax, which the state relied upon for much of its revenue, was too unstable, and prevented the state from competing with other Southern states in education and infrastructure.

US District Judge Karl Forester said Don Sundquist was the "impetus" for the investigations, although he was never implicated in any wrongdoing, nor were any senior members of his administration.

In July 2005, Don Sundquist was named head of a national panel on improving Medicaid.

Don Sundquist served as state vice chair of the John McCain 2008 presidential campaign team.

Don Sundquist's papers are archived at the University of Tennessee Libraries.

Don Sundquist died in Memphis on August 27,2023, at the age of 87, following surgery and a short illness.