Former Tennessee Governor Winfield Dunn dies at 97

Tennessee Governor Winfield Dunn (Photo: Tennessee Secretary of State)

(This story has been updated with additional information.)

Former Gov. Winfield Dunn, who became the first Republican elected governor in more than 50 years in 1970, died Saturday at age 97.

Gov. Bill Lee's office announced Dunn's death in a statement.

“Governor Winfield Dunn was, simply put, a true statesman,” said Gov. Bill Lee. “He was a true servant of the people of Tennessee. He led with principled integrity, a strong faith, and a gracious love for others. Our state is a better place because of his service and leadership. Maria and I join all Tennesseans in honoring the life of Governor Dunn and praying for Betty and the Dunn family in the days ahead.”

Bryant Winfield Culberson Dunn was a Mississippi native who graduated from the University of Tennessee Dental School in Memphis.

According to a biography on the Tennessee Secretary of State's website, Dunn's political views were influenced by Arizona Senator Barry Goldwater's book “Conscience of a Conservative.”

But Dunn, with Sen. Big's encouragement, had never run for office before; Brock, a fellow Republican, ran for governor in 1970. He defeated Democrat John Jay Hooker and served one term: the Tennessee Constitution prohibited governors from serving consecutive terms.

During his tenure, Dunn established the Department of Economic and Community Development and the Department of General Services. He supported the ratification of the 26th Amendment, which lowered the voting age from 21 to 18 and introduced kindergarten in public schools nationwide.

In 1986, he ran for governor again and lost to Democratic Speaker of the House Ned McWherter.

“Tonight in the state capitol we heard the news of the death of a personal hero, Governor Winfield Dunn. His optimism was a great light when I managed his campaign manager's campaign. @SenAlexander and in my own race,” former Nashville mayoral candidate Alice Rolli wrote on X. “My love to Betty and the entire Dunn family.”

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