Tennessee Governor-elect Marsha Blackburn announced Wednesday that Deputy Governor Stuart C. McWhorter will chair her gubernatorial transition committee as she prepares to take office after Tuesday’s election victory.
Blackburn announced the appointment Wednesday morning, saying McWhorter would oversee efforts to ensure a smooth transition between Governor Bill Lee’s administration and her incoming administration.
“Deputy Governor McWhorter is an outstanding, brilliant leader and I’m thrilled that he is spearheading our transition committee,” Blackburn said in a statement. “Few have served our state so well, in so many vital roles, and there’s no doubt our state is in a better place because of his service. I’m grateful he is once again answering that call to service and to help ensure a smooth transition between gubernatorial administrations.”
“Tennessee can be the state of opportunity for generations to come, and we are wasting no time in getting to work for the people of this great state,” Blackburn added.
McWhorter said he was honored to lead the transition effort and pointed to Tennessee’s economic position as an opportunity for the incoming administration.
“Governor-elect Blackburn has the vision and the conviction to take Tennessee to the next level, and I’m honored to chair her transition committee,” McWhorter said. “Tennessee is positioned not only to compete, but to lead. At this pivotal moment, I look forward to working closely with Governor-elect Blackburn to ensure we do exactly that.”
McWhorter currently serves as deputy governor and commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development under Lee. He will continue serving in both positions while overseeing Blackburn’s transition committee.
Before assuming those roles, McWhorter served as commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration.
Prior to entering public service, McWhorter co-founded and chaired Clayton Associates, bringing more than 25 years of experience in entrepreneurship and early-stage investing.
Blackburn defeated Democratic nominee Jerri Green and independent candidate David Hatley in Tuesday’s gubernatorial election, according to unofficial results published by the Tennessee Secretary of State’s office.
Her victory makes her the first woman elected governor in Tennessee history.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
Photo “Marsha Blackburn” by Marsha Blackburn.
