Retired Army Colonel Sam Whitson of Franklin confirmed he assembled a team last year to mount a campaign for the 65th House District in the 2016 August Republican primary and the November general election. When asked why he is running for the office, Whitson said “Our citizens must have a state representative with character, courage and a total commitment to our county rather than any personal or future political ambition.”
This will be Whitson’s first run for political office. He is a 26-year veteran of the Regular Army with combat service in Iraq during operation Desert Storm. “This race is not about me – it’s all about Williamson County and the citizens of the 65th House District, which includes Spring Hill, Fairview, Franklin and all communities in between. I’m a life-long Republican who can bring a spirit of collaboration and a common sense approach to issues we face at the state and local levels of government. I’m not beholden to any special-interest group or political favors.” He added “My parents, children and grandchildren live in Williamson County. Next year I will have five grandchildren in our county’s public schools. I strongly feel a civic obligation to them and every family in our county to make sure we have a secure and thriving community to live, learn and grow in.”
Whitson is well known for his civic endeavors in Franklin and across Williamson County. He is deeply involved in battlefield and historic preservation efforts by currently serving as chairman of the City of Franklin’s Battlefield Preservation Commission in addition to past chairman of the Carter House State Historic Site. He led and organized the highly successful 2014 campaign to remount the four Civil War era cannons on Franklin’s Public Square. Helping create the Carter Hill Battlefield Park on Columbia Avenue as secretary of Franklin’s Charge, a volunteer battlefield reclamation group, is his latest public service endeavor. Whitson also served as foreman of the Williamson County Grand Jury from 2012 to 2013.
He noted that he is a soldier and citizen at heart and not a politician who votes at the expense of our community’s future. “I learned in the Army that teamwork gets results. I can work with our state, county and city elected leaders to improve the infrastructure of Williamson County. Our county is the economic engine of Tennessee. Great schools and good roads will ensure prosperity for our district’s citizens.”
“My ability to work with others to accomplish the mission was demonstrated in our two-year effort to fund and authorize the extensive restoration of Franklin’s Civil War era cannons. The effort involved close cooperation and coordination of state and local governments, public and private organizations and most importantly, Union and Confederate veteran associations. I also worked successfully with multiple military units to accomplished complex missions and operations in very difficult situations during actual combat operations.”
Born and raised in middle Tennessee, Colonel Whitson started his military career as a second lieutenant when he graduated from MTSU in 1976. While in the Army, he commanded company, battalion and brigade level units and served in every Army tactical level combat size unit from platoon to a forward deployed corps. In addition to MTSU, he holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Oklahoma and is a graduate of the US Army War College and the US Army Command and General Staff College.
He is proud of his family and the support they provided during his years of service. “I met Pam while we were in high school and married during my junior year of college over 41-years ago. We moved 13 times in the Army before retiring 16 years ago to Williamson County. After living in nine states and overseas, I know our Williamson County is something very special that cannot be taken for granted.”
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