15 Facts About Ron Ramsey

Ronald Lynn Ramsey is an American auctioneer, politician, and lobbyist, who served as the 49th lieutenant governor of Tennessee and speaker of the State Senate from 2007 to 2017.

Ron Ramsey announced that he would not seek re-election in 2016, and would instead retire from politics.

Ron Ramsey graduated from Sullivan Central High School in 1973, and later obtained his bachelor of science degree in 1978, majoring in building construction technology at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City.

Ron Ramsey is a member of the advisory board of the Farm Credit Association, a former president of the Blountville Business Association, and a former president and current member of the Bristol TN-VA Association of Realtors.

Ron Ramsey represented Senate District 4, which encompasses Johnson and Sullivan Counties in East Tennessee.

Ron Ramsey was elected to the General Assembly as a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives in 1992, and served two terms.

Ron Ramsey was elected to the state Senate in 1996 and was re-elected in 2000,2004, and 2008.

In 2007, Ron Ramsey garnered the support all of the GOP senators and one Democratic senator, Rosalind Kurita of Clarksville, in the vote for speakership of the Senate.

Ron Ramsey is the first Republican to serve as speaker of the Senate in 140 years.

Ron Ramsey appointed Kurita as speaker pro tempore in return for her support.

In 2008, Ron Ramsey endorsed Fred Thompson for President of the United States.

Ron Ramsey filed Senate Joint Resolution 14 on January 14,2009, that if enacted, would have designated January 29 as "Thomas Paine Day" in Tennessee.

Ron Ramsey concluded his SRJ0014 resolution by noting, "Thomas Paine's influence on the American Revolution and his role as a Founding Father of the United States".

On March 16,2016, Ron Ramsey posted on his Facebook page he would not seek re-election and leave politics altogether, dispelling rumors he was planning to run for governor in 2018.

On February 28,2009, Ron Ramsey announced that he would run for the Republican nomination for governor of Tennessee.