Tennessee Comptroller Justin Wilson Announces He is Leaving Office, Names Preferred Successor

 

Tennessee Comptroller Justin Wilson announced Wednesday that he is stepping down from his position, but he also said he has a successor in mind.

Wilson, in a letter to members of the Tennessee General Assembly, suggested that Deputy Comptroller Jason Mumpower replace him.

“As I have contemplated my own future, I have determined that now is the time for me to step aside. Although it has been my wonderful privilege to serve as your Comptroller, I will not seek a seventh term,” Wilson wrote.

“The General Assembly will have an important choice to make in January. I have encouraged Deputy Comptroller Jason Mumpower to seek election to the Office. While the decision is yours, I am pleased to offer Jason my full and wholehearted endorsement to serve as Tennessee’s 35th Comptroller of the Treasury.”

Members of the Tennessee General Assembly elect the state comptroller, who serves a two-year term. Wilson’s position is up for election in January. The winner must receive a simple majority of 132 votes.

Comptroller spokesman John Dunn said Wednesday that Wilson ran unopposed for all six of his elections.

The Tennessee Journal published an article Wednesday that worried whether anyone other than Mumpower would run to replace Wilson.

“While Wilson’s support for Mumpower is unsurprising — the two often parade around the legislative office complex in matching costumes — the last-minute timing is causing some gnashing of teeth in the Cordell Hull Building,” The Tennessee Journal reported.

“With the holiday season upon us and the ongoing pandemic wreaking havoc on government activities, the deck will be stacked against any other candidate trying to drum up support for a rival bid.”

Dunn told The Tennessee Star that Wilson is leaving for a reason.

“I will say that Comptroller Wilson only recently made up his mind to not seek reelection,” Dunn said.

“He had heart surgery last week, which helped to solidify his thinking.”

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Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star. Follow Chris on Facebook. Email tips to [email protected].