Former Nashville Mayor Bill Purcell, 54, has been named the director of The Institute of Politics at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government. The announcement comes nine months after he left office and ends speculation on his run for governor of Tennessee. He will start his new job on September 1.
Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen was the mayor of Nashville before his two successful runs for the governorship which has led to rampant speculation that Purcell would follow his path. However, in order to accept the position Purcell will have to suspend his 30 year residence in Nashville which leaves the 2010 gubernatorial race more wide open than ever.
Purcell, prior to becoming mayor, was the Democratic majority leader in the Tennessee House of Representatives. He has been serving as the founding dean of Tennessee State University's College of Public Service and Urban Affairs which was an appointment that was supposed to run through the end of 2008. Additionally, he taught a seminar on American cities at Harvard last fall.
"This is a long-term commitment, and it's both where I want to be and what I want to be doing," Purcell said. "That doesn't mean I won't be in touch with my friends in Nashville. But, for as far into the future as I can see, I'll be here."
Harvard's Institute of Politics was established in 1966 as a memorial to former President John F. Kennedy. U.S. Senator Edward M. Kennedy praised Purcell in a Harvard news release, "Mayor Purcell has had an impressive career in politics and government and I'm delighted he'll lead the Institute of Politics. He knows that young people are the future and is deeply committed to enabling them to meet the nation's challenges through public service."
While serving as mayor Purcell was known for empowering neighborhoods, building schools and parks, and making the city a hot spot for corporate relocations. However, some members of the business community were irritated by his lack of enthusiasm for a new downtown convention center, which is now in the planning stages under new mayor Karl Dean.
With Purcell out of the running the 2010 governor's race could attract any number of candidates. According to The Tennessean, Nashville's largest daily newspaper, here are some of the leading possibilities.
Democrats:
Representative Lincoln Davis, 64; former U.S. Representative Harold Ford Jr., 38; and former State Representative Kim McMillan, 46.
Republicans:
U.S. Representative Marsha Blackburn, 55; former U.S. Senator Bill Frist, 56; Shelby County District Attorney General Bill Gibbons, 58; State Representative Beth Harwell, 50; Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam, 49; Lieutenant Governor Ron Ramsey, 52; and U.S. Representative Zach Wamp.