Former Tennessee State Rep. Charles Sargent (R-Franklin) has passed away, according to the office of State Rep. Brandon Ogles, the Republican who replaced him.
Diane Giddens, spokeswoman for Williamson County Mayor Rogers Anderson, also confirmed Sargent’s death Tuesday.
As The Tennessee Star reported last fall, Sargent announced he would not seek re-election in 2018, after two decades of service.
According to The Tennessean, Sargent announced last year he had skin cancer.
Tributes begin pouring in as soon as word spread about Sargent’s passing.
In an emailed statement, Republican U.S. Senator-elect Marsha Blackburn said Sargent and his wife Nancy were “such faithful public servants, committed to the growth and development of Williamson County and creating a stellar quality of life for those who, like them, chose to make it their home,” Blackburn said.
“We worked together for decades through political endeavors to achieve this goal. His positive impact on our county and state will be felt for decades to come. I will miss him. My thoughts and prayers are with Nancy, their family and his friends.”
Meanwhile, on his Facebook page, State Rep. Jeremy Faison, R-Cosby, said Sargent “ had a brilliant mind.”
“The state of TN will miss him,” Faison said.
Republican Congressman-elect Mark Green, on his Facebook page, called Sargent “a giant in the Tennessee General Assembly.”
“His knowledge of the budget was second to none, and every Tennessean benefited from his leadership. Our prayers are with Nancy and the entire Sargent family.”
State Rep. Kevin Brooks, R-Cleveland, also praised Sargent on Facebook.
“You’ve taught me so very much. For that I can never repay you,” Brooks said.
“Thank you for many years of patiently allowing me to sit next to you on the House Floor, Finance Committee and Budget. Your selfless service to our State, your love of your Family & Friends and your wise counsel will stay with me all my life.”
In an emailed statement, members of the Williamson County GOP said the following:
“Our prayers go out to the family of Charles Sargent who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 73,” according to the email.
“Charles served in the House of Representatives for 21 years. He will be missed by all who knew him in Williamson County and across the state of Tennessee.”
Sargent started work in the legislature in 1996.
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Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star. Follow Chris on Facebook. Email tips to [email protected].
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