Twenty prominent tea party and conservative groups in Tennessee have signed a letter asking Senator Lamar Alexander to retire. The letter was authored by Republican activist Matt Collins and circulated amongst tea party and conservative groups across the state.

Below is the text of the letter:

Senator Alexander,

You have served a long and marked career. You have been a part of the Tennessee political scene for as long as most of us can remember. You have worked for Howard Baker, Winfield Dunn, served as Governor, were appointed to be the Secretary of Education of the federal government, President of the University of Tennessee, were a serious contender for the nomination of the Republican Party for President, and of course you are currently serving as a United States Senator. Your life-long career in government service is noteworthy.

During your tenure in the Senate we have no doubt that you voted in a way which you felt was appropriate. Unfortunately, our great nation can no longer afford compromise and bipartisanship, two traits for which you have become famous. America faces serious challenges and needs policymakers who will defend conservative values, not work with those who are actively undermining those values. Quite honestly, your voting record shows that you do not represent the conservative values that we hold dear and the votes you have cast as Senator are intolerable to us. Furthermore we have serious doubts about your ability to fix our problems since you have played such a significant role in creating them.

The Little Plaid Book you authored contains very sage advice on politics. Rule #297 is especially important because you advise anyone running for office to "Serve two terms, then get out."  Are you willing to follow your own advice, or will you fall into the mire of hypocrisy?

As you are likely aware, there have been polls conducted that show your vulnerability. While no viable contender has yet emerged, it is becoming more probable with each passing day that one will rise to the challenge. When a serious contender eventually does enter the race, the moment their fundraising capability makes them a viable candidate, your re-election is in serious jeopardy.

Therefore, we urge you to conclude your long and notable career by retiring with dignity instead of fighting against a serious conservative primary challenger who would expose to all Tennessee voters the actual history of your voting record.

Sincerely,

• Sevier County Tea Party
• Tea Party of Lincoln County
• Gibson County Patriots
• Benton County Tea Party
• Carroll County Tea Party
• Jackson Madison County Tea Party
• Dickson County Tea Party / 912 Project
• Obion County Tea Party
• Stewart County Tea Party
• Tennesseans for Liberty (Madison County)
• Volunteers for Freedom (Henry County)
• We the People (Tipton County)
• Rutherford County Tea Party
• TN 9-12 Project
• Caney Branch Tea Party
• TN Republican Assembly
• Smoky Mountain Tea Party Patriots (Blount Co)
• McMinn County TEA Party
• North Sumner Tea Party
• Tennessee 8th District Tea Party Coalition

Source: 

Matt Collins, MattCollinsTN@gmail.com