11 Facts About Harlan Mathews

Harlan Mathews was an American politician who was an appointed interim Democratic United States Senator from Tennessee from 1993 to 1994.

Harlan Mathews previously served in the executive and legislative branches of state government in Tennessee for more than 40 years beginning in 1950.

Harlan Mathews was born January 17,1927, in Sumiton, Alabama, the son of John William Mathews and Lillian Mathews.

Harlan Mathews began work on Governor Gordon Browning's planning staff.

When Frank G Clement was elected governor in 1954, Mathews moved to the state's budget staff.

In January 1971, Harlan Mathews left the cabinet and entered the private sector for two years, working for Amcon International in Memphis.

In 1974, Harlan Mathews was elected state treasurer by the Tennessee General Assembly after his predecessor, Tom Wiseman, resigned to run for governor.

In mid-1993, Harlan Mathews expressed a desire to run in November 1994 for election to the remainder of Gore's senate term.

Harlan Mathews ultimately decided not to run in the special election and in December 1994, after Fred Thompson was elected to the seat, Harlan Mathews left office and resumed a law practice in Nashville, Tennessee.

Harlan Mathews died of brain cancer on May 9,2014, at a hospice in Nashville.

Harlan Mathews was survived by his wife, Pat, and two sons.