Ray Blanton | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 44th Governor of Tennessee | |
| In office January 18, 1975 – January 17, 1979 | |
| Lieutenant | John S. Wilder |
| Preceded by | Winfield Dunn |
| Succeeded by | Lamar Alexander |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Tennessee's 7th district | |
| In office January 3, 1967 – January 3, 1973 | |
| Preceded by | Tom J. Murray |
| Succeeded by | Robin Beard (Redistricting) |
| Member of the Tennessee House of Representatives from the 26th Floterial district | |
| In office 1965–1967 | |
| Preceded by | William Berry |
| Succeeded by | Buford Reed |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Leonard Ray Blanton April 10, 1930 Hardin County, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Died | November 22, 1996 (aged 66) Jackson, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouses | Betty Littlefield
(m. 1949; div. 1979)Karen Flint (m. 1988) |
| Education | University of Tennessee (BS) |
Leonard Ray Blanton (April 10, 1930 – November 22, 1996)[1][2] was an American businessman and politician who served as the 44th governor of Tennessee from 1975 to 1979. He also served three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, from 1967 to 1973. Though he initiated a number of government reforms and was instrumental in bringing foreign investment to Tennessee, his term as governor was marred by scandal over the selling of pardons and liquor licenses.[1]
- ^ a b Fred Rolater, "Leonard Ray Blanton", Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture, 2009. Retrieved: December 31, 2012.
- ^ "Former Tennessee Governor Ray Blanton Dead at 66", Associated Press, November 22, 1996. Accessed: December 31, 2012.